Attack on Iran damaged US credibility – China

Beijing has condemned the strikes as a violation of the UN charter and joined Russia in warning of global consequences

The US has damaged its own credibility by attacking Iran’s nuclear sites, Chinese UN Ambassador Fu Cong has said, denouncing the strikes as a violation of international norms and the United Nations charter. 

Earlier this month, Israel launched a series of aerial attacks on Iranian territory, claiming Tehran was close to building a nuclear weapon. The US later joined the campaign, bombing multiple nuclear facilities. On Tuesday, both Iran and Israel confirmed they had agreed to a ceasefire after nearly two weeks of hostilities.

Speaking at a UN Security Council meeting on Sunday, Fu said the US attack had not only harmed Iran but also “damaged” Washington’s credibility, “both as a country and as a participant in any international negotiations.”

The Chinese Foreign Ministry added that the strikes violated international law. Spokesman Guo Jiakun said on Monday that attacking nuclear facilities that were under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) constituted “a serious violation of the United Nations Charter.”

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Guo told reporters that Beijing was prepared to strengthen communication and coordination with all parties in order to “play a constructive role in restoring peace in the Middle East.”

The Israeli-US strikes have drawn widespread condemnation. Russian President Vladimir Putin has said there is “no justification” for what he called “unprovoked aggression” against Iran. During a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Moscow on Monday, Putin described Israel’s actions as “illegitimate” and in violation of international law.

Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has also criticized the attacks. In a post on Sunday, he said that the “vast majority of countries” opposed the Israeli-US operation and accused President Donald Trump of pushing the US into another war. Medvedev added that Trump could “forget about the Nobel Peace Prize.”