The Chinese government has expressed grave concern over the recent military airstrikes carried out by the United States on Iranian nuclear facilities, warning that such actions could plunge the already fragile Middle East region into deeper crisis. China’s top diplomat and former Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, made the remarks on Monday, June 23, 2025, during a high-level diplomatic engagement in Beijing with former British Prime Minister, Tony Blair.
In comments reported by Anadolu Agency and monitored across multiple diplomatic sources, Wang described the U.S. operation as a “dangerous and provocative act” with far-reaching implications. He cautioned that the unilateral use of force not only violates international norms but could also set a precedent capable of triggering further instability in the region.
“The military strike against Iran’s nuclear facilities, regardless of the justification, sets a troubling example for international relations. It has the potential to escalate tensions across the Middle East and beyond,” Wang was quoted as saying. He emphasized that diplomacy, not aggression, remains the only viable path to resolving longstanding geopolitical disputes, particularly in a region as volatile as the Gulf.
The Chinese official also criticized Israel’s involvement in the ongoing tensions, accusing both Washington and Tel Aviv of undermining regional peace through coordinated military pressure on Tehran. Wang Yi called for restraint from all parties and urged the international community, particularly members of the United Nations Security Council, to uphold global peace and security by discouraging unilateral military interventions.
Beijing’s response comes at a time of heightened geopolitical friction following reports that U.S. forces launched targeted airstrikes on Iranian nuclear infrastructure, citing national security concerns. The move has sparked condemnation across several nations, with fears mounting over the potential for retaliatory actions by Tehran or its allies in the region.
China, a key player in international diplomacy and one of the permanent members of the UN Security Council, has consistently positioned itself as a proponent of multilateral dialogue, especially on nuclear issues. The Chinese government has been a vocal supporter of the now-dormant Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), commonly known as the Iran nuclear deal, and continues to call for its restoration as a means of reducing hostilities.
As global powers weigh the fallout from the U.S. military action, calls for de-escalation have continued to grow. Wang reiterated China’s readiness to work with all stakeholders to prevent the situation from spiraling into a wider conflict, noting that “peace and stability in the Middle East serve the collective interest of the international community.”
Analysts say China’s sharp rebuke of the U.S. underscores growing global discomfort with unilateral military interventions and signals Beijing’s continued effort to assert itself as a counterbalancing force in international diplomacy
