China's Wang Yi discusses Iran-Israel tensions with counterparts

China's Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, engaged in a phone conversation with his Iranian counterpart, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, discussing Iran's recent attack on Israel's territory and the subsequent tensions in the region. Iran expressed its willingness to exercise restraint following the attack, which marked its first-ever assault on Israel. In response, Israel has vowed retaliation, prompting concerns from global leaders about the potential for further conflict.

China, a key ally of Iran and its largest trade partner, has been urged by the United States to leverage its influence to help manage the escalating situation. During the call, Amir-Abdollahian briefed Wang on an attack on an Iranian embassy annex in Damascus, citing it as a trigger for Iran's defensive actions. Wang condemned the attack on the annex, emphasizing China's stance against violations of international law.

Both ministers discussed the Israel-Hamas conflict, with Wang attributing the current tensions to the ongoing Gaza conflict. China, historically supportive of the Palestinian cause, has been advocating for a ceasefire in Gaza since the conflict began. Wang expressed China's commitment to collaborating with Iran to seek a just and lasting resolution to the Palestinian issue.

In a separate discussion with the Saudi Foreign Minister, Wang reaffirmed the importance of preventing further escalation in the Middle East. The diplomatic efforts aim to de-escalate tensions and promote stability in the region amidst heightened geopolitical challenges.