China's top diplomat warns of 'immeasurably serious consequences' if nuclear sites targeted in Mideast

ISTANBUL

China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Thursday warned of "immeasurably serious consequences" if nuclear sites are targeted in the Middle East.

Wang's remarks came during a meeting with Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Mariano Grossi in the Chinese capital Beijing.

"The fighting in the Middle East is spreading and expanding, with its impact spilling over at an accelerated pace," Wang said, while cautioning about the risks of nuclear facilities being targeted, according to a statement by the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

"In particular, if nuclear facilities are targeted, there will be immeasurably serious consequences, and the people of the region will be plunged into a dire situation," he said, urging an end to the conflict.

"Only by immediately ceasing hostilities and resuming dialogue and negotiations can the root causes of the conflict be truly eliminated," Wang said.

Grossi's trip to China comes after he said US-Iran nuclear talks could take place in Pakistan this coming weekend.

Regional tensions in the Middle East have continued to escalate since the US and Israel launched a joint offensive on Iran on Feb. 28, killing so far over 1,340 people, including then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, along with Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf countries hosting US military assets, causing casualties and damage to infrastructure while disrupting global markets and aviation.