Violence will not bring lasting peace in Middle East

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi on Saturday stressed that the continuation of indirect negotiations between his country and the United States amid Israel's "continued brutality" is unjustifiable.

He made the remarks in a phone call with the European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas while describing Israel's hostile actions as a result of the US' support.

The Iranian side's latest stance on its nuclear talks with the US after Israel's attacks is understandable and legitimate, as Israel's offensives constitute a violation of Iran's sovereignty, security and territorial integrity.

As Israel's actions seriously violate the principles of the UN Charter and the basic norms governing international relations, China supports Iran in safeguarding its national sovereignty, defending its legitimate rights and interests, and ensuring the safety of its people, as Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told Araghchi in their telephone talk on Saturday.

Israel's attacks since Friday may have ruined the hard-earned progress that has been made in the talks between Iran and the US, which, as Araghchi said on Wednesday, are on the verge of reaching an agreement.

"It is clear that an agreement that can ensure the continued peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear program is within reach — and could be achieved rapidly," the Iranian top diplomat said.

It is now unclear if and when the sixth round of indirect nuclear talks between Iran and the US will take place. Since April, Iran and the US have held five rounds of Oman-mediated indirect talks on Teheran's nuclear program and the removal of US sanctions.

Commenting on Iran's decision about taking part in the sixth round of the talks with the US, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said, "Under the present circumstances, our main focus is on confronting the enemy's aggression."

At a meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna on Friday, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi stressed that nuclear facilities must never be attacked, regardless of the context or circumstances, as "Such attacks have serious implications for nuclear safety, security, and safeguards, as well as regional and international peace and security".

In Kallas' talks with the Iranian foreign minister, the EU top diplomat expressed deep regret and concern over the escalation of tensions in the Middle East, and voiced the EU's readiness to support diplomatic efforts at the UN Security Council and other international bodies to help reduce tensions and restore peace and security in the region.

Like any other responsible party, China is seriously concerned about the prospects of the diplomatic negotiations on Iran's nuclear issue after Israel's attacks, and it has urged all parties to avoid actions that may worsen the situation and to support the establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the Middle East.

China will continue to support political and diplomatic efforts to resolve the Iran nuclear issue, firmly safeguard the international nuclear nonproliferation mechanism, and uphold peace and stability in the Middle East.

But as Foreign Minister Wang Yi told his Israeli counterpart, Gideon Sa'ar, in their telephone talk on Saturday, the immediate priority is to avoid any escalation of the conflict.

Despite its military and technological prowess, Israel should realize after so many years of conflict that violence will not bring it peace, but only turn the situation from bad to worse, as military means cannot deliver lasting peace.

Despite the tensions, plenty of signs show that there is still room for a diplomatic solution to the Iranian nuclear issue. China has urged both Israel and Iran to resolve their differences through dialogue and seek peaceful coexistence. It is willing to play a constructive role in supporting these efforts.