On June 14, 2025, Professor Liu Zhongmin of the Middle East Studies Institute at Shanghai International Studies University was interviewed by Global Times on the Causes and Effects of Israel's Attack on Iran, the full text of which is below:
China condemns Israel’ violation of Iran’s sovereignty, security and territorial integrity: Chinese envoy to UN
China's Permanent Representative to the UN, Fu Cong, said at the UN Security Council's emergency meeting on the Middle East on Friday local time that China condemns Israel's violation of Iran's sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity, urging Israel to immediately cease all military adventurism, after Israel launched Friday a large-scale strike on Iranian military and nuclear sites, prompting retaliatory attacks from Tehran.
This attack took place just days before negotiators from the US and Iran were scheduled to meet in Oman this Sunday for a sixth round of talks on Tehran's nuclear program.
A Chinese expert commented that as Israel believes Iran is nearing the nuclear threshold, having achieved substantial technical capabilities, Israel is no longer pinning its hope on US-Iran negotiations to resolve this and seeks to destroy or at least stall Iran's program to maintain Israel's nuclear dominance in the Middle East.
Fu Cong said Israel launched a large-scale attack on multiple targets inside Iran early Friday, damaging Iranian nuclear facilities and causing casualties. Fu said China opposes any action that escalates tensions and expands conflict, and expresses grave concern over the potential severe consequences of Israel's actions.
He stressed that the sudden escalation of regional tensions serves no one's interests. China urges Israel to immediately halt all military provocations and avoid further escalation. He called on all parties to uphold the UN Charter and international law, resolve disputes through dialogue, and jointly uphold regional peace and stability.
Fu expressed China's deep concern over the negative impact of the current developments on diplomatic negotiations concerning the Iranian nuclear issue. He reiterated China's commitment to resolving the issue through dialogue and negotiation, opposes the use of force and illegal unilateral sanctions, and condemns armed attacks on peaceful nuclear facilities. Iran, as a Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) signatory, has the legitimate right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy, which should be fully respected.
Fu noted that ongoing conflicts and rising tensions in the Middle East have triggered unprecedented humanitarian crises, especially in Gaza, which remains under long-term assault and siege. The international community must work collectively to secure an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, de-escalate regional tensions, and prevent further spillover of conflicts. Countries with significant influence over Israel should play a constructive role. The Security Council must utilize all means provided under the UN Charter to ensure the implementation of its resolutions and fulfill its responsibility in maintaining regional peace and security.
Also during the IAEA Board of Governors meeting over Israel's attack on Iran's nuclear facilities, China condemned Israel's military action against Iran and reiterated its opposition to armed attacks on peaceful nuclear facilities, said Li Song, China's permanent representative to the IAEA, Xinhua reported on Friday.
Li said China remains committed to promoting a peaceful solution to the Iran nuclear issue through political and diplomatic means, and opposes resorting to force and illegal unilateral sanctions. He added that China will maintain close communication with all parties and jointly deal with the current urgency at the IAEA Board of Governors, Li said.
Li expressed China's deep concern about the current conditions on the prospects of diplomatic negotiations, Li urged relevant countries to avoid actions that could further destabilize the situation and to support the establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the Middle East.
He said China will continue to support political and diplomatic efforts around the Iran nuclear issue in a responsible, objective, and impartial manner, firmly safeguard the international nuclear non-proliferation mechanism, and uphold peace and stability in the Middle East.
At the meeting, numerous IAEA member states expressed serious concern about the relevant conditions, and many developing countries strongly condemned Israel's attack on Iran's nuclear facilities.
Citing a number of resolutions adopted by the IAEA General Conference, the parties indicated that attacks or threats of attacks on peaceful nuclear facilities violate the principles of the UN Charter, international law and the IAEA Statute, posing a serious threat to nuclear safety, nuclear security, regional and international peace and security. The parties emphasized that political and diplomatic approaches are the right option to resolve the Iran nuclear issue and called on the international community to continue its efforts, according to Xinhua.
At the meeting, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi emphasised that nuclear facilities must never be attacked, under any circumstances, as it could harm both people and the environment. Such attacks have serious implications for nuclear safety, security, and safeguards, as well as regional and international peace and security, Grossi said.
On Friday, Israel launched a large-scale preemptive, precise, combined strike on Iranian military and nuclear sites, prompting retaliatory attacks from Tehran, Xinhua reported on Friday.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) reported that approximately 200 aircraft participated in the operation, striking nearly 100 sites across Iran, including targets in Tehran, Natanz, Khondab and Khorramabad.
Citing the Israeli military and the national emergency service Magen David Adom (MDA), Xinhua reported that, in retaliation, nearly 100 missiles were launched from Iran toward central and northern Israel in two massive barrages.
Reuters reported Saturday that Iran and Israel exchanged airstrikes early on Saturday after Israel launched its biggest-ever offensive against its longtime adversary in a bid to prevent it from developing a nuclear weapon.
Before dawn, air raid sirens sounded in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, Israel's two largest cities, sending residents rushing into shelters. The military said its air defence systems were operating, seeking to intercept Iranian missiles, Reuters reported.
CNN, citing two Iranian news outlets, reported that a fire is burning at Tehran's Mehrabad International Airport. A video released by the state-affiliated Tasnim News Agency showed smoke billowing into the air near what it identified as the airport. The cause of the fire is unknown.
Analysts warned that the attacks could further destabilize the already volatile situation in the Middle East and potentially ignite a broader regional conflict, Xinhua reported.
As the region's sole nuclear power, Israel aims to at least delay Iran's nuclear progress, Liu Zhongmin, a professor from the Middle East Studies Institute of Shanghai International Studies University, told the Global Times on Sunday.
The expert noted that the US and Israel divergence toward Iran lies in methodology — the US favors diplomatic approaches whereas Israel prefers a military solution. However, their ultimate objective of weakening Iran remains aligned.
Source: Global Times
(The views expressed in this article are the personal views of the author or the interviewee, and do not represent the position of this research institution)
