On March 1, 2026, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi had a phone call with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov upon request.

Wang Yi noted that at the request of China and Russia, the U.N. Security Council met in emergency session yesterday on the current situation in Iran. China always upholds the purposes and principles of the U.N. Charter, and opposes the use of force in international relations. It is unacceptable for the U.S. and Israel to launch attacks against Iran in the midst of their ongoing negotiations, still less to blatantly assassinate a leader of a sovereign country and instigate regime change. These actions have violated international law and fundamental norms of international relations. China is highly concerned that the conflict has now spilled over to the entire Persian Gulf region, and that the situation in the Middle East is being pushed to the brink of a dangerous abyss.

Wang Yi stated that China’s position is as follows: First, military actions should be immediately ceased. The conflict should be prevented from spreading and spilling over to avoid a situation that is beyond control. China takes seriously the security of Gulf states and supports their efforts to exercise restraint. Second, there should be an earliest possible return to dialogue and negotiation. All sides should spare no efforts to promote peace, discourage war, and urge the parties concerned to return to the track of dialogue and negotiation as soon as possible. Third, we should jointly oppose unilateral acts. Launching military strikes against a sovereign state without authorization of the U.N. Security Council undermines the peace foundation established after World War II. The international community should make clear and unequivocal voice in opposing the regression of the world to the law of the jungle.

Lavrov said that the military strikes launched by the U.S. and Israel against Iran severely undermine the stability in the Middle East region. Russia shares China’s position, and stands ready to step up coordination and communication with China to send out clear-cut messages through such platforms as the U.N. and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and call for immediate ceasefire and return to the process of diplomatic negotiations.