Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi
China has expressed its support for Iran in its efforts to protect its sovereignty and national security amid rising tensions in the Middle East. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi stressed in a telephone conversation with his Iranian counterpart Ali Bagheri Kani that Beijing stands by Tehran in protecting its national dignity, according to an official statement by the Chinese Foreign Ministry.
Wang Yi also condemned the recent July 31 assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, the leader of the political wing of the Palestinian movement Hamas, in Tehran. He noted that this attack violates Iran’s sovereignty and threatens regional stability. According to him, this incident “directly undermines the process of negotiations on a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip and peace and stability in the region.”
Iran and the Hamas movement blamed Israel for the killing, although official Tel Aviv neither confirmed nor denied involvement. In response, Iran promised “severe punishment” for Israel. Meanwhile, the Lebanese group Hezbollah also threatened revenge for the killing of one of its commanders near Beirut, for which the Israeli army claimed responsibility.
At the same time, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian appointed Abbas Arakchi as the new foreign minister in his government. Arakchi previously served as Iran’s chief negotiator in the 2013-2021 nuclear talks.
This situation has greatly aggravated the situation in the Middle East, where the conflict between Israel and Hamas has the potential to further escalate.
