As concerns about the escalating Middle East tensions grow, China and the United Kingdom have offered contrasting perspectives on the United States’ strikes against Iran.
US warplanes dropped bombs on Natanz, Isfahan, and Fordow,
three of Iran’s nuclear sites, early Sunday following President Donald Trump’s
orders.
The attacks entangled Washington in the region’s volatile
power struggle, sparking swift reactions.
Keir Starmer, UK prime minister, called Iran’s nuclear
programme “a grave threat to international security” saying the US took action
to alleviate that threat.
Starmer called on Iran to return to the negotiating table and reach a diplomatic solution to end the crisis, echoing the position of David Lammy, the foreign secretary, who urged Iran “to show restraint”.
Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission,
said “stability must be the priority” and “respect for international law is critical”.
“Now is the moment for Iran to engage in a credible
diplomatic solution. The negotiating table is the only place to end this
crisis,” she said.
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said “a de-escalation
as soon as possible is more important than anything” but that “at the same
time, Iran’s nuclear weapons development must be stopped”.
However, China and Russia took opposing sides.
The Chinese foreign ministry said China strongly condemned
the US attacks on Iran and the bombing of nuclear facilities.
In a statement, the ministry said the US actions “seriously
violate the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and international law,
and have exacerbated tensions in the Middle East”.
China called on the parties to the conflict, “Israel in
particular”, to reach a ceasefire as soon as possible, ensure the safety of
civilians, and start dialogue and negotiation.
Russia took the same position.
Russia said it “strongly condemns” the US strikes, calling
it an “irresponsible decision” that “flagrantly violates international law”.
“We call for an end to aggression and for increased efforts
to create conditions for returning the situation to a political and diplomatic
track,” the ministry said.
Iran had warned that the US strikes would have everlasting
consequences.h
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