Middle East 'first to suffer' if Israel-Iran conflict escalates, warns China

ISTANBUL: China on Monday warned that the Middle Eastern nations would be the "first to suffer" if the conflict between Israel and Iran escalates, Anadolu Ajansi (AA) reported.

AI Brief

China expressed deep concern over the escalating Israel-Iran conflict and urged immediate steps to ease tensions.
Beijing emphasised that military force cannot bring lasting peace and called for diplomatic solutions through dialogue.
The warning follows deadly Israeli strikes on Iran and Iranian retaliation, with China pledging continued engagement with all sides.

Beijing "is deeply concerned about Israel's attacks on Iran which cause an abrupt escalation of military conflict," Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun told a live-streamed news conference in Beijing.

"We call on parties to immediately take measures to ease the tensions as soon as possible, ... prevent the region from falling into greater turmoil and create conditions for returning to right track for solving through dialogue and consultation," Guo said.

He warned: "If the conflict between Israel and Iran continues to escalate, or even enlarge, the Middle Eastern countries will be the first to suffer."

The warning came amid the ongoing air strikes between Israel and Iran, initiated by Tel Aviv last Friday.

According to the Iranian Health Ministry, at least 224 people were killed and 900 others injured since the Israeli attacks started on Friday.

"Force cannot bring lasting peace," Chinese spokesman Guo also told reporters in Beijing.

"All international disputes should be settled through dialogue," he said, adding that China will continue communication with all parties."

Beijing calls for a "peaceful settlement" of the Iranian nuclear issue through diplomatic means, he noted.

"We are willing to continue to maintain contact with all parties ... to promote political settlement of the issue and create a better environment for this," Guo added.

The latest escalation between Israel and Iran follows Israeli strikes on Friday on Iranian nuclear and missile facilities that killed military commanders and scientists, prompting Iran to retaliate with ballistic missiles that caused Israeli casualties and property damage.

-- BERNAMA