China Urges U.S. and Israel to Halt Iran War, Warns Against Regional Spread

China’s top diplomat urged an immediate halt to military operations in the Middle East after U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, warning that the attacks risk igniting a broader regional war.

Foreign Minister Wang Yi held urgent telephone calls Monday with his counterparts from Iran, Oman and France as tensions escalated.

In his call with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Wang was told that the U.S. had launched the attacks while negotiations were still under way and had achieved what Araghchi described as “positive progress,” according to a statement from China’s Foreign Ministry. Araghchi said the U.S. move violated international law and crossed Iran’s “red lines,” leaving Tehran with no option but to defend itself.