China has expressed its welcome for “all efforts conducive to a ceasefire and the cessation of hostilities” in the Middle East.
This statement follows reports indicating that a second round of negotiations may occur between the United States and Iran in Pakistan.
During a press briefing today, Guo Jiakun, the spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry, commended Pakistan for its “role in facilitating a temporary ceasefire between the US and Iran and playing a fair and balanced mediating role”.
Conversely, Russia, represented by its foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, has asserted that Iran possesses an “inalienable right” to enrich uranium for civilian purposes.
Lavrov stated at a press conference following an official visit to China, as reported by the Russian state-owned news agency Tass, that regardless of whether Iran opts to “pause or insist on reserving this right” in its negotiations with the US, Russia will “support any approach based on the principle of the universality of the right to enrichment”.
In the meantime, the Israeli military has issued another directive compelling residents to evacuate their homes south of the Zahrani river in southern Lebanon.
“The airstrikes are ongoing as the Israel Defense Forces operate with significant force in the area,” remarked Avichay Adraee, the spokesperson for the Israeli military’s Arabic language division.
The United Nations has reported that Israel has issued warnings and displacement orders affecting approximately 14% of Lebanon, which includes the entire region south of the Zahrani river, most of the southern suburbs of Beirut, and parts of the Bekaa region. These orders impact over 100 towns and villages and have resulted in the displacement of more than a million individuals.
US vs Iran : China, Russia declare stance as second round of peace talks begin in Pakistan