China warned on Sunday against efforts for political change in Iran amid the ongoing US-Israeli standoff, saying such efforts would lack public support and could increase instability in the region.Speaking at a press conference on the sidelines of a major annual gathering in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said efforts to instigate a “color revolution” or externally driven regime change in Tehran will not succeed, according to Al Jazeera, quoted by the state-run Chinese news agency Xinhua.
Click for live updates“Planning a ‘colorful’ revolution or demanding government change will have no popular support,” Wang said.His comments come at a time when tension remains in the Middle East following US and Israeli military action against Iran. Wang stressed that the sovereignty of Iran and other countries must be respected and urged an immediate cessation of hostilities.
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In a sharp message against unilateral action, Wang said: “A strong fist does not mean a strong cause. The world cannot return to the law of the jungle.”He said, “This is a war that should not have happened and it is a war that benefits no one.” “Force provides no solution and armed conflict will only increase hatred and create new crises.”The Chinese Foreign Minister also warned against outside interference in the region, saying Middle East countries should decide their own affairs. He said, “The people of the Middle East are the true owners of the region and the affairs of the region should be determined independently by the countries there.”Beijing urged all parties involved in the conflict to resume diplomatic engagement. Wang called on “all sides” to return to talks “as soon as possible” and resolve their differences through dialogue to achieve comprehensive regional security.China is ready to work with countries in the region to “restore order in the Middle East, restore peace for its people and peace in the world,” he said.The comments also come amid reports questioning the feasibility of regime change in Iran. According to a classified assessment by the US National Intelligence Council cited by The Washington Post, even a large-scale US military operation would be unlikely to destroy Iran’s strong military and clerical power structure.The report, published on Saturday and citing sources familiar with the document, challenges US President Donald Trump’s claim that Washington could “cleanse” Iran’s leadership and install a preferred successor.China has also condemned the assassination of Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during the conflict.Separately, Wang said China’s ties with Russia remain strong despite Western criticism of Moscow over the war in Ukraine, describing the relationship as “firm and steadfast.”The claim comes amid speculation that China and Russia are providing Iran with vital intelligence about US assets in the region.