China willing to play a role in helping to de-escalate Israel-Iran conflict, foreign ministry says

CHINA is willing to play a constructive role in de-escalating the Israel-Iran conflict, a foreign ministry spokesperson said on Monday (June 16).

AI Brief

China called for dialogue between Israel and Iran amid escalating violence and missile strikes.
Iranian missiles hit Tel Aviv and Haifa, killing at least eight and drawing threats of retaliation from Israel.
Iran's parliament is drafting a bill to exit the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, though it denies seeking nuclear weapons.

Speaking at a regular press briefing, Guo Jiakun said China has urged both Iran and Israel to resolve their differences through dialogue.

Iranian missiles struck Israel's Tel Aviv and the port city of Haifa before dawn on Monday, killing at least eight people and destroying homes, prompting Israel's defense minister to warn that Tehran residents would "pay the price and soon."

Iran said its parliament was preparing a bill to leave the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), adding that Tehran remains opposed to developing weapons of mass destruction. Passing the bill could take several weeks.

Israel is presumed to have a sizable nuclear arsenal but neither confirms nor denies it. It is the only Middle East state that has not signed the NPT.