In a sharp rebuke of the United States, China on Sunday warned that Washington’s military strike on Iran’s nuclear sites has badly damaged its global credibility and could push the Middle East into deeper chaos.
Following a heated emergency session at the United Nations Security Council in New York, China’s top envoy to the UN, Fu Cong, urged all parties to step back before it’s too late.
“The risk of the situation getting out of control is real,” said Fu. “All sides especially Israel must stop the fighting. Escalating violence only spreads the war further.”
China’s state broadcaster CCTV carried Fu’s remarks after the U.S. confirmed it had launched strikes on key Iranian nuclear sites, saying the operation had “obliterated” major targets. President Donald Trump, addressing reporters in Washington, called it “a necessary action to protect American lives and allies.”
The strikes came amid growing tensions in the region, with Israel reportedly coordinating military efforts with Washington. This marks the most significant joint Western assault on Iran since the Islamic Revolution in 1979.
The Security Council meeting, requested by Russia, China, and Pakistan, ended without a clear consensus. However, the three countries tabled a draft resolution calling for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire.
Fu was firm in his criticism, not just of the military strike, but of what he called Washington’s declining role in world diplomacy.
“Iran is wounded, yes,” Fu said. “But the credibility of the United States has also suffered not only as a nation, but as a responsible voice in global negotiations.”
China’s concern extends beyond the battlefield. By Monday morning, Chinese authorities had confirmed the evacuation of more than 3,000 citizens from Iran including people from Hong Kong and Taiwan with the support of China’s Foreign Ministry and embassy officials.
“All Chinese nationals in Iran who wished to leave are now safe,” said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun during a briefing in Beijing. Guo also noted that over 500 Chinese nationals had been evacuated from Israel as well.
In a strongly worded opinion piece, the Chinese Communist Party-run Global Times called the U.S. strikes “reckless and provocative.” It warned that foreign military action in the Middle East has only ever fuelled deeper hatred and destruction.
So far, Washington has defended the move as a calculated military decision. But critics argue the assault could reignite tensions across the region and derail diplomatic efforts on Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
“The world is watching,” said one senior European diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity. “And what they’re seeing is a return to confrontation, not cooperation.”
For now, the UN remains gridlocked. But pressure is building not just to stop the fighting, but to restore faith in diplomacy before more lives are lost.
