China urges Israel and Iran to 'immediately' reduce tensions

 China urges Israel and Iran to 'immediately' reduce tensions

China is again urging Israel and Iran to take steps to de-escalate as strikes by both sides continue.

"We urge all parties to immediately take measures to cool down the tensions, prevent the region from falling into greater turmoil, and create conditions for returning to the right track of resolving issues through dialogue and negotiations," Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said on Monday.

His comments come after another spokesman on Sunday said that "China is willing to play a constructive role in this process" of de-escalation.

The conflict in the Middle East dominates this morning’s Russian newspapers.

“As cynical as this may sound,” suggests Moskovsky Komsomolets, “on a tactical level there are pluses [for Russia] from the conflict between Iran and Israel.”

These alleged ‘pluses’ include higher global oil prices and less international attention on Russia’s war in Ukraine.

“Kyiv has been forgotten,” the tabloid claims.

“Any escalation in the Middle East distracts Moscow’s opponents from Ukraine and alters the priorities for Western military assistance,” writes the business daily Kommersant.

“Russia could theoretically play the role of impartial arbiter, helping if not to resolve the crisis, then at least to de-escalate it. This way Moscow would strengthen its influence in the region.”

But Kommersant has a warning, too.

“Escalation also carries serious risks and potential costs for Moscow. The fact remains that Russia was unable to prevent Israel’s mass strike on a country with which five months ago Russia signed a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement.”