‘Flagrant Violation’: Russia, China Slam US Air Strikes On Iran ‘Serious Escalation’, Urge Ceasefire

<p>China and Russia on Sunday voiced sharp condemnation of the recent United States air strikes on Iranian nuclear installations, calling them a breach of international norms and a serious escalation in West Asia. The US launched targeted strikes on Iran&rsquo;s Fordow, Isfahan and Natanz nuclear sites, claiming the aim was to dismantle Tehran&rsquo;s nuclear infrastructure.</p>
<p>In a statement published on its foreign ministry website and Global Times, a spokesperson from China&rsquo;s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, &ldquo;The actions of the US seriously violate the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and international law, and have exacerbated tensions in the Middle East.&rdquo; The spokesperson urged &ldquo;parties to the conflict, Israel in particular,&rdquo; to agree to an immediate ceasefire, ensure civilian safety, and pursue dialogue and negotiations.</p>
<p>China also underscored its willingness to work with the international community &ldquo;to pool efforts together and uphold justice, and work for restoring peace and stability in the Middle East.&rdquo; Beijing&rsquo;s response is also driven by its energy interests in the region&mdash;nearly 45% of its oil supply passes through the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint that Tehran has repeatedly threatened to block.</p>
<p>Chinese President Xi Jinping held a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday, during which he called for an urgent ceasefire, specifically urging Israel to halt attacks on civilians. Xi stated that the use of force was not a viable method for resolving international disputes, as reported by the news agency PTI.</p>
<p>According to CNN, both leaders condemned the strikes carried out by Israel on Iran, while Xi, in what appeared to be a veiled reference to US President Donald Trump, said that &ldquo;major powers&rdquo; should work to cool the conflict rather than fuel it further.</p>
<h3><strong>Russia Labels US Strikes &ldquo;Irresponsible and Flagrant&rdquo;</strong></h3>
<p>Moscow also denounced the US operation in strong terms. Russia&rsquo;s Foreign Ministry described the strikes as &ldquo;a gross violation of international law, the UN Charter, and the resolutions of the UN Security Council,&rdquo; according to statements cited by Al Jazeera.</p>
<p>&ldquo;The irresponsible decision to subject the territory of a sovereign state to missile and bomb attacks, whatever the arguments it may be presented with, flagrantly violates international law, the Charter of the United Nations, and the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council,&rdquo; the ministry said, without directly naming the United States. It also highlighted concern that the aggressor is &ldquo;a permanent member of the UN Security Council.&rdquo;</p>
<p>Russian officials called for an immediate halt to what it termed acts of aggression and urged diplomatic efforts to resume. As per Politico, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is scheduled to meet President Putin in Moscow on Monday to reaffirm the &ldquo;strategic partnership&rdquo; between Iran and Russia.</p>
<p>Following the air strikes, US President Donald Trump declared the attack a success, stating that the Iranian nuclear sites had been &ldquo;completely and totally obliterated&rdquo; and warned of further retaliation if Iran chose to respond.</p>
<p>Iran strongly denounced the strikes and asserted that its nuclear programme would continue, branding the US actions a clear violation of international law.</p>
<p>Spain&rsquo;s Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares Bueno also expressed deep concern over the escalating conflict. Speaking to Spanish broadcaster RTVE, he said, &ldquo;It is not a military solution that will bring peace and stability to the Middle East, but rather diplomacy, and therefore we hope that everyone will return to the negotiating table.&rdquo;</p>
<p>Meanwhile, CNN reported that the Kremlin has no current plans for a conversation between Putin and Trump following the US strikes, but a call could be arranged swiftly if required.</p>