China Says to Provide Humanitarian Assistance to Iran, Mideast Nations

BEIJING: China said on Tuesday it would provide humanitarian aid to Middle Eastern countries, including Iran and Lebanon, which are the target of US and Israeli attacks in the conflict now in its third week.

Beijing is a close partner of Iran and has called on the United States and Israel to stop their attacks on the country, while also criticizing Tehran’s attacks on Gulf countries that host US military bases.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian said the war had caused “serious humanitarian disasters” in Iran and other Middle Eastern countries.

“China has decided to provide urgent humanitarian aid to Iran, Jordan, Lebanon and Iraq. It is hoped that this will help alleviate the humanitarian plight facing the local people,” Lin said at a press conference, without giving further details. he said.

“China will continue to make every effort to promote peace, stop war and prevent the humanitarian crisis from further spreading,” he added.

China has tried to mediate the war, along with its special envoy to the Middle East, Zhai Jun, and recently called for de-escalation when he met with Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister for talks.

China’s top diplomat Wang Yi also said the war “should never happen” and called for an end to the hostilities.

The humanitarian aid announcement came after US President Donald Trump said he would postpone his planned visit to Beijing.

According to the statement made by the White House, Trump, who postponed his planned visit to Beijing due to the war, also pressured China to help Washington reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

The vital sea passage, through which a fifth of global oil supplies normally pass, has been effectively closed by Iran in retaliation for US and Israeli attacks.