China voices support for Iran in protecting 'sovereignty and security'

In a phone call on August 11, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told Iran's acting Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani that Beijing supports Tehran "in safeguarding national sovereignty, security and dignity in accordance with the law."

"China also supports Iran's efforts to maintain regional peace and stability, and is willing to maintain close communication with Iran," Wang said, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

“The top priority is to jointly urge all parties to strictly implement UN Security Council resolutions and create conditions for a comprehensive and lasting ceasefire in Gaza as soon as possible.”

He also described China and Iran as comprehensive strategic partners and said China is ready to cooperate with Iran's new government.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with his counterparts in Iran, Egypt and Jordan this past week. Photo: AFP

This is the first phone call between the two since Ismail Haniyeh, the political leader of the Hamas group, was assassinated in Tehran on July 31. Mr. Haniyeh was last seen at the inauguration of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.

On August 11, Wang Yi again condemned the assassination, saying it "seriously violated Iran's sovereignty and directly undermined the ceasefire negotiations in Gaza."

According to Iran's Foreign Ministry, Mr. Bagheri said that although Iran is committed to maintaining regional security, it will still firmly defend its national sovereignty and territorial integrity. He also hoped that China would play a greater role in easing the situation.

Hamas and Iran blamed Israel for the killing and vowed to retaliate. Israel has not admitted responsibility but has previously vowed to eliminate Hamas leaders.

The tensions have raised concerns about a wider conflict in the region, prompting the Chinese embassies in Lebanon and Iran to issue security alerts.

Wang Yi’s call with Bagheri was one of several over the past week on the region. He has held similar conversations with his counterparts in Egypt and Jordan, calling for joint efforts to ease tensions and facilitate a ceasefire in Gaza.

China has stepped up its efforts as a peace broker in the Middle East. A week before the assassination, Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas signed a “solidarity agreement” in Beijing aimed at resolving divisions and building unity.

Also on August 11, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian nominated Abbas Araqchi as the country's foreign minister. Araqchi was Iran's chief negotiator in nuclear talks from 2013 to 2021.

Hoai Phuong (according to SCMP, Reuters)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/trung-quoc-len-tieng-ung-ho-iran-trong-viec-bao-ve-chu-quyen-va-an-ninh-post307331.html