Iran tells supportive China it’s willing to exercise restraint against Israel

China says it believes Iran could “handle the situation well and spare the region further turmoil” while safeguarding its sovereignty and dignity, following a phone call between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, according to the official Xinhua news agency.

Amir-Abdollahian tells Wang that Iran is aware of the regional tensions, is willing to exercise restraint and has no intention of further escalations, according to Xinhua.

Wang reiterates Iran’s assertion that its launch of some 350 missiles and drones at Israel early Sunday was a “limited” action taken in self-defense. The attack came as retaliation for an alleged Israeli strike on a building in Iran’s diplomatic mission in Damascus that killed a top IRGC officer and other members of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards.

Wang condemns the Israeli attack, while thanking Iran for not targeting regional and neighboring countries as it bombarded Israel.

Xinhua says Wang also told Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud that China is willing to work with Riyadh to avoid further escalation in the Middle East.

Riyadh “highly expects” China to play an active and important role in that regard, the Saudi foreign minister is quoted as saying, adding that his country is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with China to promote an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in Gaza.