Chinese Foreign Minister Telephones Russian Counterpart to Discuss Solution for Iran
Beijing—Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi telephoned Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Sunday, 1 March, to discuss solutions regarding US and Israeli military operations against Iran.
Wang Yi stated that at the urging of China and Russia, the UN Security Council held an emergency meeting the previous day regarding the current Iranian situation. China has consistently maintained that the purposes and principles of the UN Charter must be upheld and opposes the use of force in international relations, according to a statement released by China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
According to Wang Yi, the US and Israeli strikes against Iran during the course of Iran-US nuclear negotiations are unacceptable. “The outright assassination of a sovereign nation’s leader and calls for regime change are also unacceptable. Such actions violate international law and basic norms of international relations,” Wang Yi stated.
Wang Yi noted that the conflict has now spread throughout the Persian Gulf region, and the Middle Eastern situation risks being pushed towards a dangerous precipice. “China expresses grave concern over these developments,” Wang Yi said.
He emphasised three Chinese positions on the Iranian issue. First, an immediate halt to military operations. “Preventing the expansion of war and its cascading effects while preventing the situation from spiralling out of control. China values the security of Gulf nations and supports them in exercising restraint,” Wang Yi added.
Second, an immediate return to dialogue and negotiations. “All parties must actively promote peace and conflict cessation, and urge the concerned parties to return to the negotiating table immediately,” Wang Yi stated.
Third, joint opposition to unilateral action, as military use against a sovereign nation without UN Security Council authorisation undermines the foundations of peace established after the Second World War. “The international community must issue clear and firm positions to prevent the world from returning to the law of the jungle,” Wang Yi added.
Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov stated that US and Israeli military strikes against Iran have seriously damaged the stability of the Middle Eastern situation. “Russia holds positions aligned with China and is willing to strengthen coordination and communication with China using platforms such as the UN and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation to issue clear signals, calling for an immediate cessation of war and a return to diplomatic negotiations,” Lavrov said.
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also released an announcement stating that several Chinese citizens suffered injuries from the US and Israeli strikes on Iran, though it did not specify the number of wounded. Additionally, several Chinese tourists are stranded in Iran.
The Chinese government has advised its citizens to avoid travel to Iran and affected neighbouring countries. Those remaining in the region are urged to enhance personal safety measures and avoid military facilities, demonstrations, and other sensitive areas.
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has established several evacuation routes from Iran via Azerbaijan, Armenia, Turkey, and Iraq. Chinese embassies and consulates in Iran and neighbouring countries will provide assistance to Chinese nationals in the relocation and evacuation process.
As a result of the US and Israeli strikes, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed along with several military officials, including Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Commander Mohammad Pakpour, Iranian military Chief of Staff Abdulrahim Mousavi, Defence Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh, and Defence Council Secretary Ali Shamkhani.
The US-Israeli aggression against Iran, including the capital Tehran, has not only caused infrastructure damage but also resulted in at least 201 deaths and 747 injuries.