NEW YORK -UNS : China has urged the United States and Iran to continue pursuing dialogue and move toward peace in the Middle East amid rising regional tensions and deadly Israeli strikes in Lebanon.
Speaking at the United Nations after chairing a Security Council meeting, Chinese FM ,Wang Yi said all parties involved in the Iran conflict should remain committed to a ceasefire and “meet each other halfway” to restore stability in the region.
His remarks came after Iran accused the United States of violating a ceasefire following what Washington described as defensive strikes in southern Iran. Meanwhile, Marco Rubio said negotiations aimed at ending the conflict could take several more days.
Wang Yi stressed that long-standing disputes could not be resolved overnight but said every diplomatic step forward increases hope for peace and reduces civilian suffering.
At the same time, violence escalated in Lebanon, where Israeli strikes in the south reportedly killed 31 people and injured dozens despite an existing truce with Hezbollah.
According to Lebanese authorities, casualties included women and children, while several towns in southern Lebanon came under intense bombardment. Airstrikes also reportedly damaged areas near a public hospital in Nabatieh.
The Israeli military issued evacuation warnings for dozens of towns and confirmed it had expanded ground operations deeper into southern Lebanon. Hezbollah claimed its fighters confronted Israeli troops advancing toward Zawtar al-Sharqiyah and launched drone and rocket attacks against Israeli forces.
In eastern Lebanon, additional Israeli airstrikes in Mashghara reportedly killed 11 people and wounded 15 others. Israel said the strikes targeted Hezbollah infrastructure and militant activity in the area.
The latest escalation has raised international concerns over widening instability in the Middle East despite ongoing diplomatic efforts to maintain ceasefires and reduce regional conflict.
