Following the recent escalation in fighting between Iran and Israel, China has said it believes Tehran can “handle the situation well” and “spare the region further turmoil,” as the months-long Gaza conflict has a growing spillover effect on the region.
Foreign minister Wang Yi made the remarks during a phone call with his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian on Monday, Chinese state-run Xinhua News Agency reported.
Iran launched a large-scale drone and missile attack on Israel Saturday night, marking the first time the Islamic Republic initiated a direct strike on Israel from its soil, according to media reports. The bombardment was largely thwarted, mostly due to defensive actions taken by Israel and the U.S.
The attack was in retaliation to an Israeli airstrike on Iran’s consulate in Syria, which killed two Iranian generals and five officers.
Beijing strongly condemned the attack on the Iranian compound in Damascus, Wang said on the call, and noted Iran’s statement that its response was limited and an act of self-defense, according to Xinhua.
China and Iran are comprehensive strategic partners, Wang said during the call, and China is willing to advance cooperation with Iran in various fields for greater development of bilateral relations.
He also expressed concerns of a “spillover effect” from the escalating conflict in Gaza. The pressing task now is to achieve a ceasefire and end the fighting in Gaza in order to protect civilians and prevent further aggravation of the humanitarian disaster, said Wang.
Amir-Abdollahian briefed Wang on Iran’s position on the attack on its consulate in Damascus, saying that the U.N. Security Council did not make a necessary response to this attack, and that Iran has the right to self-defense in response to the violation of its sovereignty, Xinhua reported.
Noting that the current regional situation is very sensitive, Amir-Abdollahian said Iran is willing to exercise restraint and has no intention of further escalating the situation, according to Xinhua.
He added that Tehran calls for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and supports China’s efforts to stop the fighting, restore regional peace and strengthen cooperation among regional countries.
Wang also spoke with his Saudi counterpart Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud on Monday, stating that the escalation between Iran and Israel is “the latest manifestation of the spillover of the Gaza conflict,” according to Xinhua.
China is willing to work with Saudi Arabia to avoid further escalation of confrontation in the region, Wang said.
Saudi Arabia expects China to play an active and important role in this regard, said Farhan Al Saud.
Contact reporter Lu Zhenhua (zhenhualu@caixin.com) and editor Jonathan Breen (jonathanbreen@caixin.com)
