Restraint and dialogue vital to de-escalate Israel-Iran crisis: Editorial flash

The Middle East stands at a critical juncture following Israel's unprecedented strikes on Iran beginning Friday, which have ignited a perilous cycle of retaliation and heightened fears of a regional conflagration.

The situation demands all relevant parties to focus on actions that can promote regional peace and stability, and to prevent the situation from further deterioration.

This escalation, rooted in decades-old hostilities and interlinked security dilemmas, risks spiraling into a broader regional war with catastrophic humanitarian and global economic repercussions. Israel's pre-strike coordination with the United States and the latter's explicit threats against Iran have further inflamed tensions.

China unequivocally condemns Israel's unilateral military actions, which blatantly violate Iran's sovereignty and international law. The strikes on nuclear facilities and military targets, timed to disrupt vital US-Iran talks in Oman, undermine efforts to peacefully resolve the Iranian nuclear issue. Such acts set a dangerous precedent, risking catastrophic consequences for regional and global security.

As a permanent UN Security Council member, China supports immediate de-escalation and a return to dialogue. The use of military means exacerbates tensions and ignores the region's complex ethnic, sectarian, and geopolitical dynamics. History shows that lasting peace can only emerge through inclusive political processes.

At an emergency UN Security Council session on Friday, representatives from China and other countries condemned Israel's attacks on Iran, which resulted in damage to Iranian nuclear facilities and casualties, emphasizing that strikes on peaceful nuclear installations are unacceptable. The consensus is clear: Diplomacy, not force, is the only viable path.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi reaffirmed this message in separate calls with his Iranian and Israeli counterparts on Saturday. He advocated a comprehensive security approach to address the legitimate concerns of all parties and offered China's assistance in facilitating peaceful resolutions.

The international community must unite to safeguard regional stability. China pledges to steadfastly uphold the non-proliferation regime and regional peace, providing support to ensure a diplomatic outcome.

Now is a crucial moment for calm and collective diplomacy.