China says Tehran can ‘handle the situation well’

China has said it believed Iran could “handle the situation well and spare the region further turmoil” while safeguarding its sovereignty and dignity, referring to an attack on Iran’s embassy in Syria and its retaliatory strike against Israeli targets over the weekend.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian via a phone call on Monday that China appreciated Iran’s emphasis on not targeting regional and neighbouring countries, according to the official Xinhua news agency on Tuesday.

Wang also said he noted Iran had described its actions as limited and carried out in self-defence. China strongly condemns and resolutely opposed the embassy attack, and calls the incident “unacceptable”, Wang said.

Saudi Arabia, China discuss Israel-Iran escalation

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan has discussed the latest escalation in the conflict between Israel and Iran and developments in Gaza in a phone call with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi.

During their conversation on Monday, the two leaders also discussed the importance of joint coordination and efforts to prevent the aggravation of the situation, according to a statement by the kingdom’s Foreign Ministry.

Mideast tensions spike oil prices

Oil prices have risen amid heightened tensions in the Middle East after Israel’s military chief said his country would respond to Iran’s weekend missile and drone attack in reaction to Tel Aviv’s strike on Tehran’s embassy in Syria amid calls for restraint by allies.

Brent futures for June delivery rose 46 cents, or 0.5%, to $90.56 a barrel. US crude futures for May delivery rose 43 cents, or 0.5%, to $85.84 a barrel.

Oil prices had ended Monday’s session lower after Iran’s weekend attack on Israel proved to be less damaging than anticipated, initially easing concerns of a quickly intensifying conflict that could displace crude barrels.

SOURCE: TRTWORLD AND AGENCIES