Iran capable of ‘handling the situation’ and avoiding further tensions in Middle East: Chinese foreign minister

BEIJING (Reuters) – China said it believed Iran could “handle the situation well and avoid further disruption in the region” while maintaining its sovereignty and dignity, referring to the attack on Iranian embassy in Syria and its retaliatory strikes this weekend.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian in a phone call on Monday that China appreciates Iran’s emphasis on not targeting regional countries and its neighbors, according to the agency. official Xinhua press on Tuesday.

Wang also said he noted that Iran had characterized its actions as limited and carried out in self-defense. China strongly condemns and resolutely opposes the attack on the embassy, ​​and calls the incident “unacceptable,” Wang said.

After briefing Wang on Iran’s position, Amir-Abdollahian told Wang that Iran was aware of regional tensions, was prepared to show restraint, and did not intend to to continue the escalation.

Tensions are high in the Middle East as the Israeli military pledged to respond to the Iranian attack and several countries called for restraint. Since the missile attack on Saturday evening, many countries have summoned Iranian ambassadors.

Wang also spoke with the Saudi foreign minister on the same day, Xinhua said, saying China was willing to work with Riyadh to avoid further escalation in the Middle East.

Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud said Saudi Arabia “highly expects” China to play an active and important role in this regard, and his country is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with China to promote an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in Gaza.

Since the Gaza war began in October, clashes have erupted between Israel and Iran-aligned groups in Lebanon, Syria, Yemen and Iraq.

Faisal said Saudi Arabia “fully trusts” China and is ready to promote the sustainable development of bilateral cooperation, according to Xinhua.

(Reporting by Liz Lee and Shanghai editors; editing by Himani Sarkar and Gerry Doyle)