6 h. ago China’s Wang Yi urges new international deal on Iran after US, Israeli attacks

China’s top diplomat Wang Yi has called for a “new international agreement” on Iran while accusing the United States and Israel of destabilising the Middle East through military actions on Iranian nuclear facilities. Speaking at a joint press conference with his French counterpart Jean-Noel Barrot in Paris on Friday, Wang also voiced deep concerns about escalating tensions in the region and warned of the looming spectre of a “nuclear disaster”. His remarks came as Beijing, a key ally of an...

Politics

55 h. ago Europe has many challenges but none come from China, Wang Yi tells EU

China has presented itself as a “peaceful, inclusive and cooperative” partner for the European Union and pledged it will not follow the path taken by the US. In a meeting with EU representatives in Brussels on Wednesday, China’s top diplomat Wang Yi urged the bloc to “truly foster a rational understanding” of China and not seek confrontation despite their division. “China and Europe have different histories, cultures and values. We should not regard each other as opponents just because of...

Politics

1 week ago Trump thanks Iran for ‘early notice’ after attacks US military base in Qatar

The Middle East crisis appeared to widen after Iran struck back against the United States by firing missiles at an American military base in Qatar, a development that built on weeks of rising tensions between arch-rivals Iran and Israel – and now, Israel’s key ally, the US. The scale of Iran’s attacks on Monday were limited, and an earlier report of a missile targeting a US base in Iraq on Monday turned out to be false, sending key stock market indices higher and oil prices lower. And, US...

Events

1 week ago Trump claims Israel, Iran agree to ceasefire to be phased in over 24 hours

US President Donald Trump claimed that Israel and Iran have agreed to a ceasefire that is meant to take effect in 24 hours, a dramatic change in direction just hours after the Middle East crisis appeared to widen. Earlier on Monday, Iran struck back against the United States by firing missiles at an American military base in Qatar, a development that built on weeks of rising tensions between arch-rivals Iran and Israel – and now, Israel’s key ally, the US. The scale of Iran’s attacks on Monday...

Politics

1 week ago Israel’s defence minister orders attacks on Iran after ceasefire ‘violation’

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said Tuesday he had ordered the army “to respond forcefully to Iran’s violation of the ceasefire” after incoming Iranian missiles were reported by the military. Hours earlier, Israel and Iran accepted a ceasefire plan proposed by US President Donald Trump. Trump announced on Monday that Israel and Iran have agreed to a “complete and total ceasefire” that is meant to take effect in 24 hours, a dramatic change in direction just hours after the Middle East...

Politics

1 week ago Iran Israel war: Tehran plans attack against USA forces anywhere, China, Russia send chilling warning

Iran Israel war: Tehran plans attack against USA forces anywhere, China, Russia send chilling warning  The Economic Times

Events

1 week ago Trump claims US ‘obliterated’ Iran nuclear sites, threatens more attacks

US President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that the US military carried out an aerial attack on three Iranian nuclear sites, following days of appeals by Israel for the American military to join its attacks on the Islamic republic, and vowed to launch more attacks if Tehran does not stand down. Trump delivered an address from the White House, in which he said Iran “must now make peace. If they do not, future attacks will be far greater and a lot easier. There will be either peace or there...

Events

2 w. ago China’s Xi Jinping and Russia’s Vladimir Putin discuss Middle East situation

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin have spoken by phone about the Middle East situation, according to state broadcaster CCTV. The phone conversation on Thursday afternoon came days after Israel initiated a large-scale military attack on Iran, which led to retaliation by Iran. On Tuesday, Xi called for de-escalation in the Israel-Iran conflict to avoid further tensions, while emphasising that Beijing was prepared to “play a constructive role” in restoring...

Politics

2 w. ago Xi urges Iran and ‘especially Israel’ to cease fire during call with Putin

In a call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday, Chinese President Xi Jinping called for an end to the fighting between Israel and Iran, urging the countries, “especially Israel”, to cease fire to prevent the situation from escalating and avoid a spillover of the conflict. The phone conversation came days after Israel initiated a large-scale military attack on Iran, which led to retaliation by Iran. “The situation in the Middle East is very critical. It once again proves that the...

Politics

2 w. ago What India’s break with SCO reveals about its stance on Israel

In a chorus of condemnation, India’s silence spoke volumes. New Delhi has distanced itself from a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) statement denouncing Israel’s attacks on Iran, revealing the intricate web of interests tying it to both warring states. The SCO – a 10-member bloc focused on economic and security interests, and currently chaired by China – issued a statement on Saturday censuring Israel’s military action. But India’s endorsement was conspicuously absent. Other SCO members,...

Politics

2 w. ago Trump demands Khamenei’s ‘unconditional surrender’ in standoff with Iran

Introduction The Middle East finds itself on the precipice as the conflict between arch-foes Iran and Israel is on its fifth brutal day, with both sides escalating their attacks and the civilian toll mounting. As Israeli strikes continue to zero in on Iran’s nuclear facilities and other targets, and Iranian missiles light up the skies over Israeli cities, a chilling new dimension has been added to the crisis: a demand from US President Donald Trump to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali...

Politics

2 w. ago Israel strikes Tehran for sixth day after Trump threatens Iran’s leader

The Middle East finds itself on the precipice as the conflict between arch-foes Iran and Israel, now in its sixth brutal day, intensifies with both sides continuing their attacks and the civilian toll mounting. As Israeli strikes target Iran’s nuclear facilities and other sites, and Iranian missiles light up the skies over Israeli cities, a chilling new dimension has been added to the crisis: a demand from US President Donald Trump to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei for an...

Politics

2 w. ago 14 Hongkongers in Israel, Iran and Jordan contact authorities amid conflict

Authorities have received inquiries from 14 Hongkongers in three Middle Eastern countries caught up in the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict, while a travel sector representative has said there were no tour groups from the city in those areas. The Immigration Department said it had received the inquiries from the Hongkongers in Israel, Iran and Jordan as of Monday 5pm. Two of them had already left. Since late last week, Israel and Iran have launched multiple attacks against each other in various...

Politics

2 w. ago Trump to abruptly leave G7 summit, after urging ‘everyone’ to flee Tehran

US President Donald Trump abruptly cut short his G7 summit visit to Canada, the White House announced, just minutes after the president issued a stark warning on social media urging the immediate evacuation of Tehran – a city of nearly 9.5 million people – amid escalating tensions in the Middle East. “Iran should have signed the ‘deal’ I told them to sign. What a shame, and waste of human life. Simply stated, IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON. I said it over and over again!” Trump posted on...

Politics

2 w. ago Trump abruptly leaving G7 summit after urging ‘everyone’ to flee Tehran

US President Donald Trump abruptly cut short his G7 summit visit to Canada, the White House announced, just minutes after the president issued a stark warning on social media urging the immediate evacuation of Tehran – a city of nearly 9.5 million people – amid escalating tensions in the Middle East. “Iran should have signed the ‘deal’ I told them to sign. What a shame, and waste of human life. Simply stated, IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON. I said it over and over again!” Trump posted on...

Politics

2 w. ago Trump abruptly leaves G7 summit after urging ‘everyone’ to flee Tehran

US President Donald Trump abruptly cut short his G7 summit visit to Canada, the White House announced, just minutes after the president issued a stark warning on social media urging the immediate evacuation of Tehran – a city of nearly 9.5 million people – amid escalating tensions in the Middle East. “Iran should have signed the ‘deal’ I told them to sign. What a shame, and waste of human life. Simply stated, IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON. I said it over and over again!” Trump posted on...

Politics

2 w. ago Trump leaves G7 summit early after urging ‘everyone’ to flee Tehran

US President Donald Trump abruptly cut short his G7 summit visit to Canada, the White House announced on Monday, just minutes after the president issued a stark warning on social media urging the immediate evacuation of Tehran – a city of nearly 9.5 million people – amid escalating tensions in the Middle East. “Iran should have signed the ‘deal’ I told them to sign. What a shame, and waste of human life. Simply stated, IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON. I said it over and over again!” Trump...

Politics

2 w. ago China is deeply concerned about Israel’s attack on Iran that has led to a sudden escalation of military conflict: FM

China is deeply concerned about Israel’s attack on Iran that has led to a sudden escalation of military conflict: FM  Global Times

Events

2 w. ago How Israel’s attack on Iran has sent a shockwave miles away in Beijing and why China may not stay silent

How Israel’s attack on Iran has sent a shockwave miles away in Beijing and why China may not stay silent  The Economic Times

Events

2 w. ago China’s Wang Yi decries ‘unacceptable’ Israeli attack on Iran, urges diplomacy

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi called Israel’s attack on Iran an “unacceptable” breach of international law and urged measures to de-escalate tensions in phone calls with his Israeli and Iranian counterparts on Saturday. He told Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar that China could play a “constructive role” in the peaceful resolution of the Iran nuclear issue, saying diplomatic solutions remained viable and a peaceful resolution was still achievable, according to China’s Ministry of Foreign...

Politics