China’s top diplomat, Wang Yi, recently held a phone call with his Iranian counterpart, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, in the wake of Iran’s first-ever attack on Israel’s territory. The call, reported by Beijing state media, revealed that Iran expressed its willingness to exercise restraint following the attack, which has sparked fears of a wider conflict.
The United States has been urging China to use its influence over Iran to help manage tensions in the region, particularly amidst the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. During the call, Amir-Abdollahian briefed Wang on the recent attack on an Iranian consular annex in Damascus, which Iran claims prompted its aerial assault.
China strongly condemned the attack on the Iranian consular annex, calling it a serious violation of international law. Wang emphasized the importance of Iran handling the situation well to avoid further turmoil in the region while safeguarding its sovereignty and dignity.
The foreign ministers also discussed the Israel-Hamas conflict, with Wang attributing the current situation to a “spillover effect” of the escalating conflict in Gaza. China, historically supportive of the Palestinian cause, has been advocating for a ceasefire in Gaza since the conflict began.
Wang also engaged in talks with his Saudi counterpart to work together in avoiding further escalation in the Middle East. The diplomatic efforts between China, Iran, and other key players in the region highlight the importance of de-escalation and seeking a comprehensive, just, and lasting settlement of the Palestinian issue.