April 14, 2024

China on Sunday expressed deep concerns over the current escalation and called on relevant parties to exercise calm and restraint to prevent further escalations after Iran launched military strike against Israeli territory. Chinese experts believe Iran's retaliatory attack in response to Israel's bombing of the Iranian embassy in Syria is "restrained." However, in order for tensions to de-escalate, it is imperative that Israel refrains from taking further provocative actions that could exacerbate the situation and lead to more damage for Iran.

If Israel launches retaliation, it could escalate tensions and potentially draw the US into another Middle East crisis, a situation the US is trying to avoid, said Chinese experts, who believe that Israel's targeting of Iran may be a strategic move to involve the US in the conflict, in order to secure more support from Washington as its backing appears to be diminishing.

Iran reportedly launched over 200 drones and missiles at Israel on Saturday night, after Teheran vowed earlier retaliation for an Israeli strike on its Damascus consulate on April 1 that killed seven Revolutionary Guards officers including two senior commanders, Reuters reported.

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