- Wang tells Iran to pay attention to 'reasonable concerns' of neighboring countries
ISTANBUL
China reaffirmed its support for Iran during a phone call Monday between the two countries’ foreign ministers which was held against the backdrop of escalating tensions in the Middle East.
Foreign Minister Wang Yi told his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi that China stands by Iran “in safeguarding its sovereignty, security, territorial integrity and national dignity.”
He stressed that China supports Iran in “upholding its legitimate and lawful rights and interests,” according to a statement published on the Chinese Foreign Ministry’s website.
“China has urged the US and Israel to immediately cease military operations, prevent further escalation of tensions and stop the conflict from spreading and engulfing the entire Middle East,” Wang said.
"Under the current severe and complex situation," he told Araghchi that China believes that Iran "can maintain national and social stability, pay attention to reasonable concerns of its neighboring countries, and ensure the safety of Chinese citizens and institutions in Iran," the statement said.
Joint US-Israeli strikes since Saturday have reportedly killed several senior Iranian officials, including Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Tehran has responded with drone and missile attacks targeting US-linked sites in Gulf countries, causing multiple fatalities. Six US service members have been killed and 18 others injured.
The Iranian Red Crescent said the death toll from US and Israeli airstrikes since Saturday has risen to at least 555.
China has condemned the killing of Khamenei and this was the first direct high-level contact between China and Iran since the US and Israel launched attacks on Iran last Saturday, marking the second time since the 12-day war last June.
Wang calls for diplomacy in talks with French and Omani counterparts
Wang also held separate phone calls Monday with his French and Omani counterparts, calling for diplomacy to resolve the escalating crisis.
In his phone call with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, he said countries should not use their “military advantage to launch arbitrary attacks against other nations,” according to the state-run news agency Xinhua.
In his call with Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi, Wang praised the “unprecedented progress” in Muscat-mediated talks with Iran and urged all parties to promote an early ceasefire.
He said China values the “legitimate demands of the Gulf states and supports them in safeguarding their sovereignty and national security” but added that in the long term, war is not in their interest.
*Sidrah Roghay contributed to the story from Karachi