China's foreign minister Wang Yi expressed support for Iran in defending its "sovereignty, security, and national dignity" during a phone conversation with Iran's acting foreign minister on Sunday, as reported by China's foreign ministry.
Wang Yi reiterated Beijing's condemnation of the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on July 31, stating that the attack infringed upon Iran's sovereignty and jeopardized regional stability. Both Iran and Hamas have implicated Israel in the strike that resulted in Haniyeh's death. Israel has neither confirmed nor denied involvement in the incident, which has heightened fears that the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza could escalate into a broader Middle Eastern conflict.
Iran has pledged to "harshly punish" Israel for the assassination. Wang Yi informed Ali Bagheri Kani, Iran's Acting Foreign Minister, that the killing of Haniyeh had "directly compromised the Gaza ceasefire negotiation process and destabilized the region," according to China's foreign ministry.
Wang Yi emphasized that China supports Iran in defending its sovereignty, security, and national dignity in accordance with the law, and in its efforts to uphold regional peace and stability, and is prepared to maintain close communication with Iran.
