China Against US Intentions To Attack Iran

JAKARTA - The Chinese government opposes the possibility of the United States participating in Iran's attacks to defend Israel.

"China opposes any actions that violate the goals and principles of the UN Charter as well as the sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity of a country, and opposes the use or threat of force use in international relations," Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Guo Jiakun told a news conference in Beijing on Thursday, June 19.

US President Donald Trump is said to have told his senior officials he has approved a plan to attack Iran, but has not yet given a final order for its implementation, according to a report on Wednesday (18/6).

Trump told reporters he had not yet decided whether he would allow the military to join Israeli aggression against Iran at this time, saying, "I might do it. I might not."

Trump is still waiting to see if Iran will halt its nuclear program, citing an anonymous source familiar with the matter.

"The situation in the Middle East is tense and sensitive and risks getting out of control. The international community, especially the influential big country, needs to maintain a fair position and responsible attitude, create conditions to reach a ceasefire and return to dialogue and negotiations," continued Guo Jiakun.

The Jiakun Cave revealed that it had been a week since the military conflict broke out between Israel and Iran, the conflict had continued to escalate.

"This not only brings disaster to the people of the two countries, but also greatly damages peace and stability in the region and its surroundings. China is very worried," said Guo Jiakun.

Increasing the conflict, said Guo Jiakun, would not create a winner, and would only cause more severe damage and cause greater chaos.

"China strongly urges parties in conflict, especially Israel, to act for the greater interest, namely the welfare of the people in countries in the region, to immediately stop the conflict, and defuse the situation," said Guo Jiakun.

After the conflict broke out, Guo Jiakun said President Xi Jinping had conveyed China's position.

"China has maintained communication with Iran, Israel, Egypt, Oman, and other parties, calling for immediate action to ease tensions as soon as possible and prevent the region from falling into greater chaos," Guo Jiakun said.

Guo Jiakun also said China is ready to continue working with countries in the region and the international community to play a constructive role in restoring peace and stability in the Middle East as early as possible.

In addition, as of Thursday (19/6), China's Foreign Ministry and Chinese embassies as well as consulates in Iran, Israel, and other neighboring countries have regulated and coordinated the evacuation of more than 1,600 Chinese citizens from Iran to safe places.

"There are also several hundred Chinese nationals evacuated from Israel. Our ministry and diplomatic and consular missions will continue to do everything possible to help our fellow citizens move to a safe place and evacuate," said Guo Jiakun.

The Wall Street Journal report states Trump is targeting Tehran's Fordow enrichment facility, which is buried deep beneath the mountain, but to attack it will require the most powerful weapons in the US arsenal.

The Fordow nuclear facility is an underground uranium enrichment site, Iran's deepest and most protected nuclear installation, designed to withstand conventional airstrikes.

Based on data from the official IAEA website, Iran currently also has a nuclear power reactor operating known as the PLTN Bushehr (BNPP)-Unit 1, which started commercial operations in 2013 and accounted for nearly 1.7 percent of total national power generation in 2023 data.

However, Trump has yet to give orders to attack Iran.

"I also don't want to go to war. I have no intention of war. However, if the choice is war or they have nuclear weapons, you have to do what you have to do, and maybe we don't have to fight," he said in the Oval Room. "I have an idea of what to do. I want to make a last decision just before time."

In addition, Trump said he had informed Israeli authority leader Benjamin Netanyahu to "continue to launch" his attack.

But Trump has yet to give Israel any indication that the US will help with the effort.

Meanwhile, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei previously rejected Trump's demands for his government to surrender unconditionally, warning that US's direct involvement in the conflict with Israel would have "an irreversible impact".

Regional tensions have risen since Friday, when Israel launched airstrikes on several locations in Iran, including military and nuclear facilities, prompting Tehran to launch retaliatory attacks.

Israeli authorities said 24 people were killed and hundreds injured since then as a result of Iranian missile attacks.

Meanwhile, in Iran, 585 people were killed and more than 1,300 injured as a result of Israeli attacks, according to Iranian media reports.