China’s state-run Global Times published a commentary on Thursday placing full blame on the United States for the tensions surrounding Iran’s nuclear ambitions, insisting that Iran should not be held accountable for its advanced enrichment program, which violates international agreements.
Over the past week, China’s Foreign Ministry has strongly defended Iran’s regime, particularly in light of Israel’s military operation known as “Operation Rising Lion,” which targeted senior Iranian military figures. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu explained that the strikes were necessitated by Iran’s accumulation of enough nuclear material to produce multiple bombs. Iranian officials have consistently threatened Israel’s existence and vowed to annihilate the country.
Just prior to Israel’s launch of “Operation Rising Lion,” the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), a nuclear watchdog under the United Nations, adopted a resolution criticizing Iran’s covert nuclear work. It was the first such resolution in nearly twenty years. China, notably, chose not to support the measure.
The Global Times editorial, which denounced the U.S. for allegedly sparking the conflict despite no known American military involvement in the operation at the time, followed multiple remarks by China’s Foreign Minister urging Beijing’s participation in mediating between Iran and Israel. While China has been pushing to expand its diplomatic clout in the Middle East—especially since the October 7, 2023, Hamas assault on Israel—its attempts have thus far been ignored by both Iran and Israel.
Describing Washington’s role as destabilizing, the Global Times, an extension of the Communist Party, wrote that “the mere fact that the U.S. is contemplating involvement is itself a very dangerous signal.” The piece omitted any reference to Iran’s years-long enrichment of uranium to levels suitable for weaponization or its repeated public calls to destroy the State of Israel.
“The U.S. bears responsibility for the Iranian nuclear issue,” the editorial declared. “If Washington had not unilaterally withdrawn from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), and if the agreement had been smoothly and effectively implemented, the issue very likely would not have deteriorated to its current state.”
Absent from the editorial was the context that President Donald Trump pulled the U.S. out of the JCPOA in 2018 after Iran was repeatedly found in violation of the deal’s terms.
The Global Times went on to argue that “Iran’s national sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity should not be violated, and the Iranian people and their property should be protected,” and insisted that “any reckless use of force against Iran is unacceptable and constitutes a blatant violation of international law.”
The commentary concluded by calling on the United States to “adopt an objective and impartial stance” and “stop fueling the war machine.”
President Trump, in contrast to China’s accusations, has continuously expressed his desire to see peace between Israel and Iran. Most recently, on Tuesday, he stated that reaching a peaceful resolution with Tehran was “achievable” and urged Iran to engage in discussions with both the United States and Israel. Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, however, issued a defiant response, stating that no peace would be tolerated if it came from outside pressure.
“The Iranian nation will firmly stand against an imposed war, just as it will resolutely resist an imposed peace,” Khamenei said. “This is a nation that will never surrender to any form of imposition.”
China’s official Foreign Ministry response to the rising conflict struck a slightly more reserved tone on Wednesday, even as it continued to stress opposition to any American role in the matter.
“We oppose any actions that violate the purposes and principles of the U.N. Charter and infringe upon the sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity of other countries,” said ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun. “Further escalation of tensions in the Middle East does not serve the interests of any party.”
Guo added that “countries with special influence on Israel” should “play a positive and constructive role in de-escalating the situation and preventing the conflict from expanding,” pointedly avoiding any mention of the United States by name.
Prior to the outbreak of hostilities in Iran, Beijing had already positioned itself as a staunch backer of Iran, raising questions about its neutrality in the crisis.
“The Chinese side supports Iran in safeguarding national sovereignty, security and national dignity, steadily advancing its own economic and social development,” Chinese leader Xi Jinping stated at last October’s BRICS summit, where he publicly aligned himself with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. Iran’s inclusion into BRICS was secured in early 2024 with China’s backing.
During that meeting, Xi pledged that China would “firmly support each other, uphold the basic norms governing international relations such as non-interference in internal affairs, and safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of the two countries.”
In the wake of Israel’s bombing campaign in Tehran, China once again revived its calls to be involved in brokering peace. Reports indicated that Foreign Minister Wang Yi spoke separately with Iranian and Israeli officials shortly after the strikes, although neither side appeared to show any interest in Beijing’s mediation.
“China will continue playing a constructive role in solving the ongoing Israeli-Iranian conflict,” Guo reiterated on Monday. However, no concrete actions or successful initiatives by China have been publicly acknowledged by the parties involved.
{Matzav.com}