U.S. and Iran exchange threats - Tuesday, 10 March
Tensions in the region remained high on Tuesday (10 March), as the United States and Iran exchanged increasingly sharp warnings, including thr...
China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi has held talks with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov following recent military strikes carried out by the United States and Israel on targets in Iran, as tensions in the Middle East continue to rise.
According to statements released after the discussion, Wang expressed “serious concern” over the escalation and condemned the use of force, warning that such actions risk further destabilising an already fragile region. He described the U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran as unacceptable, including what he referred to as the killing of the leader of a sovereign state.
He stressed that military operations should not replace diplomatic solutions and cautioned that continued confrontation could trigger a broader regional conflict. China has consistently maintained that disputes should be resolved through dialogue and negotiation rather than unilateral action.
The strikes come amid heightened tensions between Iran and Western powers, particularly over security issues and regional influence. The Middle East has experienced repeated cycles of confrontation in recent years, including clashes involving proxy groups, missile exchanges and retaliatory attacks. Analysts say the latest strikes could further complicate efforts to stabilise the region and revive diplomatic channels.
During the call, Wang reiterated China’s position that all parties should exercise restraint and avoid steps that could worsen the situation. He emphasised the importance of respecting international law and the principles of the United Nations Charter, adding that sovereignty and territorial integrity must be upheld. In recent years, China has sought to position itself as a supporter of political dialogue in the Middle East, including by facilitating regional diplomatic engagement.
Lavrov reportedly echoed similar concerns, stating that Russia opposes actions that could inflame tensions or lead to wider conflict. Moscow and Beijing have often coordinated their positions on major international security issues, advocating multilateral solutions and a stronger role for the United Nations in crisis management.
The discussion highlights growing coordination between China and Russia on global security matters, particularly in situations where they view Western military action as destabilising. Both countries have called for immediate de-escalation and renewed diplomatic engagement to prevent further violence.
As the situation develops, international observers are watching closely to see whether the latest confrontation will lead to further military exchanges or whether diplomatic efforts can contain the crisis. For now, Beijing and Moscow appear united in urging calm, dialogue and a return to political solutions rather than the use of force.
Tensions in the region remained high on Tuesday (10 March), as the United States and Iran exchanged increasingly sharp warnings, including threats over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global oil supplies.
Global oil prices surpassed $119 a barrel on Monday (9 March, 2026), an almost four year high, as the Middle East conflict rumbled on.
China has urged Afghanistan and Pakistan to resolve their dispute through dialogue after Chinese envoy Yue Xiaoyong met Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, as fighting between the two neighbours entered its eleventh day.
Entry and exit across the state border between Azerbaijan and Iran for all types of cargo vehicles, including those in transit, will resume on 9 March, according to a statement by the Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan.
Iran named Mojtaba Khamenei to succeed his father Ali Khamenei as supreme leader on Monday (9 March), signaling that hardliners remain firmly in charge, as the week-old U.S.-Israeli war with Iran pushed oil above $100 a barrel.
Iran and the U.S. exchanged threats on Tuesday, as U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned Tehran to expect the “most intense day" of attacks so far. Meanwhile, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said “anyone who entertains the illusion of destroying Iran knows nothing of history."
The Strait of Hormuz has become a focal point of global concern as tensions rise following the conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel. Tehran has threatened to block the strategic waterway, raising fears of disruption to global oil shipments and energy markets.
Reports of so-called “acid clouds” moving from Iran towards Central Asia are not supported by scientific data, national hydrometeorological services in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan say, adding there is no threat to the region.
A senior delegation from the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly has been holding meetings with Georgian government officials, opposition leaders and security authorities this week, as international observers attempt to gauge the country’s political climate following last year’s contentious elections.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has told Masoud Pezeshkian, his Iranian counterpart, that violations of Turkish airspace by Iran could not be justified “for any reason whatsoever.”
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