WNAM REPORT: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi Wednesday said the international community, especially regional countries, should further build consensus and take more unified actions amid escalating hostilities between Iran and Israel, state media reported.
He made these remarks during a phone conversation with his Egyptian counterpart, Badr Abdelatty, Beijing-based Xinhua News reported.
Wang noted that Israel’s disregard for international law and norms has “abruptly” escalated tensions in the Middle East.
“China once again calls on all parties to the conflict, particularly Israel, to immediately cease fire and de-escalate the situation,” he added.
At this critical juncture, he went on to say, the international community, especially regional countries, should “further build consensus and take more unified actions.”
Beijing stands ready to work with Cairo to enhance communication and coordination at multilateral platforms such as the UN, making every effort to push peace talks and reconciliation, Wang maintained.
Wang also spoke with his Omani counterpart, Badr Albusaidi, by telephone to discuss the evolving situation after Israeli attacks.
He observed that the ongoing conflict also interrupted the “hard-won” indirect negotiation process on the Iranian nuclear issue and made Oman’s mediation efforts “go to waste.”
Oman hosted several rounds between Iran and the US before Israel launched attacks on June 13.
Wang stressed that the top priority is to cease fire and stop fighting.
“We cannot sit idly by and watch the regional situation slide into an unknown abyss,” he added.
Badr Albusaidi, for his part, said that Israel’s attack on Iran “blatantly” violated the UN Charter and international law and infringed upon Iran’s sovereignty and territory.
Regional tensions have escalated since Friday, when Israel launched airstrikes on multiple sites across Iran, including military and nuclear facilities, prompting Tehran to launch retaliatory strikes.
At least 585 people have been killed and 1,326 others injured since Israel launched attacks on Iran last Friday.
Israeli authorities said at least 24 people have been killed and hundreds injured since then in Iranian missile attacks.
