BEIJING – China stands firmly behind Iran in its efforts to defend its “sovereignty, security, and national dignity,” Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told Iran’s Acting Foreign Minister during a phone call on August 11, according to a statement from China’s Foreign Ministry.
During the call, Wang reiterated Beijing’s condemnation of the assassination of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on July 31, describing the attack as a violation of Iran’s sovereignty and a threat to regional stability.
Iran and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas have accused Israel of carrying out the strike that killed Haniyeh. While Israel has neither confirmed nor denied involvement in the assassination, the incident has raised concerns that the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip could escalate into a broader Middle East war.
In response to the assassination, Iran has vowed to “harshly punish” Israel. Wang Yi told Iranian Acting Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Khan that Haniyeh’s killing had “directly undermined the Gaza ceasefire negotiation process and jeopardized regional peace and stability,” according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry.
“China supports Iran in defending its sovereignty, security, and national dignity in accordance with the law and in its efforts to maintain regional peace and stability. China is also prepared to maintain close communication with Iran,” Wang was quoted as saying. On August 11, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian nominated Abbas Araqchi, a former chief negotiator in nuclear talks, as the country’s new Foreign Minister.