China Demands End To Attacks On Iran

China opposes the military strikes launched by Israel and the U.S. against Iran and demands an immediate cessation of hostilities, Foreign Minister Wang Yi ‌told his Israeli counterpart Gideon Saar on Tuesday, according to his ministry.

“Force cannot truly solve problems; instead, it often creates new ones and leaves serious long-term consequences. The real value of military power lies not on the battlefield ⁠but in preventing war,” it quoted Wang as telling Saar in a call.

Explosions tore through Tehran and Beirut on Tuesday and financial markets around the world tumbled at the prospect of a prolonged disruption to global energy supplies from the U.S.-Israeli air war against Iran.

Wang told Saar that China believes in resolving international and regional issues through dialogue and negotiation and will continue ‌to ⁠play a constructive role in easing the situation.

Tuesday’s call followed three calls the top Chinese diplomat held on Monday with the foreign ministers of Iran, Oman and France, in which he urged Gulf countries ⁠to unite to oppose external interference.

Wang also spoke with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Sunday about the Iran crisis.

However, Wang has not spoken ⁠to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio since the launch of the U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran on ⁠Saturday, when Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was among a number of senior Iranian officials killed.