BEIJING—Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi expressed Beijing’s firm support for Tehran during a critical telephone discussion with Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi on Monday, as military confrontations intensified across the Middle East. The diplomatic exchange occurred amid escalating violence that has claimed hundreds of lives since Saturday when combined US-Israeli operations initiated strikes against multiple targets within Iranian territory.
According to state broadcaster CCTV, Wang Yi emphasized China’s commitment to the longstanding Sino-Iranian relationship, stating Beijing ‘cherishes the traditional friendship between China and Iran, supports Iran in defending its sovereignty, security, territorial integrity, and national dignity.’ The foreign minister further articulated China’s position that Tehran has the right to protect its legitimate interests against external military actions.
In a series of coordinated diplomatic communications, Wang Yi separately addressed Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi and France’s Jean-Noel Barrot, condemning what he characterized as violations of international law by the United States and Israel. Wang accused both nations of ‘deliberately instigating a war against Iran’ and violating the fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter through their military campaigns.
The Chinese diplomat warned of dangerous global implications, cautioning that the current trajectory risked a ‘regression to the law of the jungle’ where major powers could arbitrarily attack other nations based on military superiority. Wang Yi called for immediate cessation of military operations by US and Israeli forces to prevent further regional escalation and advocated for returning the Iranian nuclear issue to political and diplomatic settlement processes.
China positioned itself as a potential mediator, with Wang Yi expressing Beijing’s willingness to ‘play a constructive role through the platform of the UN Security Council’ by upholding international justice and striving for peaceful conflict resolution. The diplomatic interventions occurred alongside reports that Tehran had responded to initial strikes with missile and drone attacks targeting Israel, Gulf states, and a British military installation in Cyprus.
The conflict has already resulted in significant casualties, including four US military personnel killed in combat operations. US President Donald Trump has indicated that hostilities with Iran could persist for several weeks, suggesting prolonged regional instability.