RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, held a phone conversation on Wednesday with China’s Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, to discuss the latest developments in the region amid the US-Israel war against Iran and Tehran’s retaliation targeting various regional countries.
The ministers reviewed the potential impacts of ongoing events on both regional and international security and stability, and exchanged views on efforts being undertaken to address emerging challenges, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.
Both sides emphasised the importance of dialogue and cooperation to maintain peace and stability in the Middle East.
Meanwhile, the Saudi Foreign Minister also held phone conversations with Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sugiono and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Romania Oana Toiu and discussed recent regional developments, the SPA reported.
The war between the United States, Israel, and Iran widened further on Wednesday, with Israeli strikes hitting towns in Lebanon and Iran, and security alerts spreading across Gulf states as missile, drone, and air strikes continued to ripple across the region.
The conflict, triggered by coordinated US-Israeli strikes on Iran late last week, has expanded beyond confrontation between Tehran and Israel, drawing in Lebanon, Iraq, and several Gulf states while disrupting air travel and forcing diplomatic evacuations.
Saudi Arabia on Tuesday warned that repetition of ‘cowardly and unjustified attacks’ by Iran blatantly violates its sovereignty and will push the region toward further escalation.
“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia expresses its rejection and condemnation in the strongest terms of the flagrant Iranian attack that targeted the US Embassy building in Riyadh,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Tuesday.
Saudi Arabia said that Iran’s continued provocative actions—despite being fully aware that the Kingdom will not permit its airspace or territory to be used against Iran—risk further escalating tensions across the region.
“The Kingdom reaffirms its full right to take all necessary measures to protect its security, territorial integrity, citizens, residents, and vital interests, including the option of responding to the aggression,” it said.
China also made a formal appeal on Monday for an end to the hostilities, urging all parties to pursue diplomatic talks.
“The most urgent task is an immediate cessation of military operations and preventing a spread and spillover of conflict,” Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning told a news conference.
