Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi file photo:fmprc

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Monday held phone conversations separately with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot and Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi as the military operation launched by the US and Israel on Iran entered its third day.

The readout statements of the three phone calls were released on the website of the Chinese foreign ministry. 

Araghchi briefed Wang on the latest developments in the regional situation, stating that the US has launched war against Iran for the second time during Iran–US talks. The current round of talks had made positive progress, but US actions violate all international law and trample on Iran’s red lines. Iran has no choice but to defend itself with all its strength.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, told his Iranian counterpart that China values the traditional friendship between China and Iran and supports Iran in safeguarding its sovereignty, security, territorial integrity and national dignity. 

Wang said that China has urged the US and Israel to immediately cease military actions, prevent further escalation of tensions and avoid the spread of the conflict throughout the Middle East. China believes that Iran will be able to maintain national and social stability in the current challenging and complex situation, address the legitimate concerns of neighboring countries, and ensure the safety of Chinese nationals and institutions in Iran. Araghchi said that Iran is committed to fully safeguarding the security of Chinese personnel and institutions.

Barrot in the phone call outlined the French side’s view of the current situation in the Middle East, stressing that France and China, as permanent members of the UN Security Council, bear special responsibilities for maintaining international peace and security. The US and Israel did not seek the Security Council’s views on their military actions against Iran, nor did they receive Security Council’s authorization. All parties should now work together to de-escalate the situation and resolve issues such as Iran’s nuclear program through negotiations. China maintains good relations with both Iran and countries in the Gulf region, and France looks forward to working with China to play a positive role in easing tensions and cooling the situation in the region. 

Wang, for his part, reiterated China's principled position, emphasizing that the international community should resist any actions that violate international law and should not apply double standards. Major powers should not use their military advantages to arbitrarily attack other countries, and the world must not revert to the law of the jungle. 

Wang said that the Iranian nuclear issue ultimately needs to return to a path of political and diplomatic resolution. China hopes that France will maintain an objective and fair stance, keep a calm and rational attitude, and work with China to promote de-escalation of tensions in the Middle East and jointly uphold the basic norms of international relations.

The Omani foreign minister said that, with Oman’s mediation, the Iran–US talks had made unprecedented progress, but it was regrettable that the US and Israel abandoned the achievements already made in the negotiations and launched a war. If this war continues, it will lead to more casualties and property losses. All parties should work together to promote an early ceasefire and end the fighting.

Wang said that China appreciates Oman’s active mediation efforts to promote negotiations between Iran and the US, and recognizes the significant efforts Oman has made to maintain regional peace. 

Against the backdrop of progress in Iran-US negotiations, the US and Israel have deliberately instigated a war against Iran, which clearly violates the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter, Wang said. China believes that the urgent priority is to immediately halt military actions, prevent the further spread of the conflict, and avoid the situation from deteriorating to an irreversible point, Wang said. 

Wang said that China urges all parties to make joint efforts in this regard, supporting Oman in staying true to its original intention and continuing its peace facilitation efforts. China is also willing to play a constructive role, including advocating for justice on the UN Security Council platform, striving for peace and preventing war.

China values the legitimate concerns of Gulf countries and supports them in safeguarding their sovereignty and national security, Wang said, adding that the spillover of war does not serve the fundamental and long-term interests of the Gulf countries. China hopes that Gulf countries will strengthen their independence and autonomy, oppose foreign interference, develop good-neighborly relations, enhance unity and cooperation, and truly take control of their own future and destiny. 

Global Times