China and Russia have stepped up their opposition to U.S. and Israeli military action against Iran, urging an end to hostilities and a return to diplomacy.
Beijing has repeatedly condemned the military strikes, saying Iran’s sovereignty, security and territorial integrity must be respected.
China has called for an immediate halt to military operations and a resumption of dialogue and negotiations to prevent further escalation.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi also urged Iran and the United States in September to exercise restraint and revive negotiations, while calling for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
Beijing has argued that the U.S.-Israeli attacks lacked United Nations Security Council authorisation and violated international law.
Russia has taken a similarly critical position, describing the strikes as an unprovoked act of aggression against a sovereign state.
Moscow has called for an immediate end to the attacks and a return to a political and diplomatic process to resolve the dispute.
The Russian position has also been expressed at the United Nations, where Moscow condemned the U.S. and Israeli military action and warned about its implications for regional stability.
The renewed diplomatic pressure comes as tensions between Washington and Tehran remain high, with Iran reportedly preparing for a stronger response if the United States launches another major military operation.
While China and Russia have publicly backed Iran’s sovereignty and opposed the use of force, their approaches differ in emphasis. Beijing has placed considerable focus on negotiations and regional stability, while Moscow has adopted a more forceful denunciation of the U.S. and Israel.
Both powers, however, are calling for diplomacy to take precedence over further military escalation as fears of a wider Middle East conflict persist.Sources used include official Chinese diplomatic statements and recent reporting on the positions of Beijing and Moscow.
