BEIJING: Chinese President Xi Jinping said Tuesday he was “deeply worried” by Israel’s military action against Iran and called for de-escalation to avoid further regional tensions, Chinese state media reported.
“Israel launching military action against Iran has caused a sudden escalation in tension in the Middle East, China is deeply worried about this,” Xi said during a meeting with the Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on the sidelines of the China-Central Asia Summit in Astana, Kazakhstan, according to state news agency Xinhua.
Israel began launching strikes across Iran on Friday, saying it aimed to prevent Tehran from acquiring a nuclear weapon — a charge Iran denies. Iran has responded with retaliatory strikes on Israel.
Israeli strikes on Iran have killed at least 224 people, including military commanders, nuclear scientists and civilians, Iran said Sunday. It has not issued an updated toll since then.
At least 24 people have been killed in Israel and hundreds wounded, according to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office.
“We oppose any act that infringes upon the sovereignty, security and territorial integrity of other countries,” President Xi said as quoted by Xinhua.
Xi Jinping urged a de-escalation of the Israel-Iran conflict “as soon as possible”, Xinhua reported.
“All parties should work to de-escalate the conflict as soon as possible and prevent further escalation of tensions”, President Xi said.
The Chinese President emphasised that Beijing is ready to “play a constructive role” in restoring peace, according to state news agency Xinhua.
“China stands ready to work with all parties to play a constructive role in restoring peace and stability in the Middle East,” Xi said.
“Military conflict is not the solution to problems, and rising regional tensions do not align with the common interests of the international community,” the Chinese leader said.
Calls for de-escalation
In a joint statement on Monday, 21 Arab and Muslim countries condemned Israel’s airstrikes on Iran and called for regional de-escalation.
On Tuesday, the leaders of the Group of 7 nations meeting for a summit in Canada also called for a “de-escalation of hostilities in the Middle East, including a ceasefire in Gaza.”
The statement made no mention of a ceasefire between Israel and Iran but affirmed Israel’s right to defend itself and reiterated their position that Iran must never acquire nuclear weapons.
Russia said Tuesday it was ready to act as a peace broker between Israel and Iran, but that Israel was showing reluctance to accept outside mediation.
“President Putin has said that Russia is ready to provide mediation services if necessary,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters in a daily briefing.
“At present, we see a reluctance, at least on the part of Israel, to resort to any mediation services or to embark on a peaceful path towards a settlement.”
Russia has deepened its economic and military ties with Iran in recent years but has a close working relationship with Israel, positioning itself as a potential mediator.
US President Donald Trump on Sunday cited the possibility that Russia’s Vladimir Putin could help mediate between Iran and Israel.
In an interview with ABC News, Trump said he was open to Putin serving as a mediator.
Trump seeks ‘real end’
Trump said Tuesday he was aiming for a “real end” to the conflict between Israel and Iran, and not just a ceasefire.
“I’m not looking for a ceasefire, we’re looking at better than a ceasefire,” Trump told reporters on board Air Force One before arriving back in the United States from a G7 summit in Canada, AFP reported.
The president said he was looking for “an end, a real end, not a ceasefire,” adding that he wanted a “complete give-up” by Iran.
Trump again warned Iran against targeting US troops and assets in the Middle East, saying, “We’ll come down so hard, it’d be gloves off”.
The US leader departed the G7 gathering a day early, as ally Israel and Iran traded fire for a fifth straight day, with Israel hitting Iranian nuclear and military sites, and Tehran responding with missile strikes.
