China urges ‘stop button’ on Middle East military operations

ISTANBUL

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Thursday called on all parties to press the "stop button" on military operations in the Middle East.

An immediate ceasefire is a universal consensus of the international community, he said during a phone call with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, according to a statement by China's Foreign Ministry.

He reiterated China's principled stance, stating that both China and Egypt, as responsible countries, advocate resolving regional issues through dialogue and consultation and oppose the use of force.

Prolonged conflict in the Middle East will only bring more suffering and negatively affect the region's economy, he added.

Wang said that Beijing is willing to maintain communication and coordination with regional countries, including Egypt, for broader peace in the region.

For his part, Abdul-Ati expressed Egypt's deep concern about the current conflict.

He referred to the UN Security Council resolution calling on all parties to exercise restraint and avoid further regional instability.

Tensions gripped the Middle East after Israel and the US launched joint attacks on Iran on Feb. 28 and have so far killed more than 1,300 people, including Ali Khamenei, the country's former supreme leader, and more than 150 schoolgirls. More than 10,000 people were also injured in the Israeli and US attacks.

Tehran retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and several Gulf countries hosting US military assets. Eight US service members have been killed since the war began.

Iran has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz since around March 1, causing a surge in oil prices. The narrow shipping lane handles about 20 million barrels of oil daily and roughly 20% of the global liquefied natural gas trade.