China Weighs Its Options As Iran Strikes Upend The Middle East

(Reid Standish – RFE RL) China has escalated its diplomatic rhetoric following US-Israeli strikes on Iran and the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei while moving cautiously to navigate disruption to global oil markets and the threat of broader instability in the Middle East. Since the United States and Israel launched coordinated air strikes on Iran on February 28, Beijing has ramped up its diplomatic response, with Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning calling the joint strikes a violation of international law and telling reporters during a March 2 press briefing that China is deeply concerned about ‌spillover effects on neighboring countries. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi also urged Gulf countries to unite to oppose external interference to “keep their future and destiny in their own hands,” according to a readout from a phone call with his Omani counterpart. In another call with Iranian ⁠Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, ‌Wang said he believed Iran could maintain national and social stability as well as attach importance to the legitimate concerns of its neighbors. – China Weighs Its Options As Iran Strikes Upend The Middle East