China Warns Israel at UN Over Strikes on Iran
News Desk
New York: China has sharply criticized Israel’s recent military attacks on Iran, denouncing them as a breach of Iranian sovereignty and a threat to regional stability. Speaking at an emergency session of the UN Security Council on Saturday, China’s UN Ambassador Fu Cong urged Israel to immediately halt its “dangerous military operations.”
“China condemns Israel’s violations of Iran’s sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity,” Fu stated, expressing deep concern over the deteriorating situation and warning of serious consequences for the broader Middle East.
According to Reuters, Fu emphasized that Beijing opposes actions that provoke conflict and inflame tensions. He also warned that the crisis could derail already-stalled negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program.
The Israeli military had earlier launched what it described as the beginning of a “long operation” aimed at limiting Iran’s nuclear capabilities. Iran responded swiftly with retaliatory strikes, resulting in loud explosions reported in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.
China, which has recently played a mediating role in Middle East diplomacy—including brokering a thaw between Iran and Saudi Arabia—has advised its citizens in both Israel and Iran to remain vigilant amid what it called a “serious and complex” security environment.
Global reactions to the crisis have been swift, with many UN Security Council members calling for de-escalation and a return to diplomacy.
Hamas Praises Iran’s Missile Strikes, Calls It a Turning Point
Hamas has welcomed Iran’s missile assault on Israel, calling it a powerful and justified response to years of Israeli aggression. Hamas Political Bureau member Izzat al-Risheq said the attack exposed vulnerabilities in Israel’s air defense systems, including the Iron Dome and David’s Sling.
“Despite all the praise for Israeli defense systems, Iranian missiles reached their targets,” al-Risheq said in a statement released Saturday via Palestinian media. “Israel is now facing the fire it has long kindled across the region.”
The remarks follow Iran’s launch of “Operation True Promise III,” a large-scale retaliatory strike involving hundreds of ballistic missiles targeting Israeli military sites. The attack was in response to Israeli airstrikes on Iranian nuclear and military installations, which reportedly killed several senior Iranian officials.
Al-Risheq defended the Iranian operation as “legitimate” and warned that Israel would face continued resistance if it persisted with its policies in occupied territories.
While Israeli authorities maintain that most of the incoming missiles were intercepted, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claims that key strategic targets were successfully hit, piercing Israel’s advanced air defenses.
Hamas, long aligned with Tehran in opposition to Israeli occupation, described the strikes as a significant shift in the regional power equation.
