BEIJING: China supports Iran in defending its security, sovereignty, and national dignity, said foreign minister Wang Yi while speaking to Iran’s acting foreign minister in a phone call on Sunday, said a statement by China’s foreign ministry.
Wang during the phone call reiterated Beijing’s denunciation of the assassination of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on July 31, adding the strike had openly violated Iran’s sovereignty and threatened the stability of the region.
Iran and the Palestinian group Hamas have accused Israel of conducting the strike that killed Haniyeh. Israel has not claimed or denied responsibility for the assassination, which has sparked fears of a wider Middle East war.
Iran has vowed to “harshly punish” Israel over the killing.
China’s foreign ministry in the statement said Wang told Ali Bagheri Kani, that the assassination of Haniyeh had impacted the Gaza ceasefire talks and undermined regional peace and stability.
“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, and stands ready to maintain close communication with Iran,” Wang was quoted as saying.
Meanwhile, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Sunday nominated Seyyed Abbas Araghchi as the country’s foreign minister. Araghchi was Iran’s chief negotiator in nuclear talks from 2013 to 2021.
