China says opposes ‘use of force' after Trump's Iran warning
China said Thursday it opposed the 'use of force,' in response to a question about US President Donald Trump warning he was weighing US military action in the Israel-Iran conflict.
Beijing 'opposes any act that... infringes upon the sovereignty, security and territorial integrity of other countries, and opposes the use or threat of use of force in international relations,' foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun told a regular press briefing.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arab News
32 minutes ago
- Arab News
Pakistan calls for Israel's accountability for Iran war after army chief's meeting with US president
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's foreign office on Thursday called on the international community to end Israel's ongoing war against Iran, condemning Tel Aviv for launching an 'unjustified and illegitimate' attack and demanding its accountability. The statement came hours after Pakistan's army chief, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, attended a luncheon at the White House hosted by US President Donald Trump, a rare engagement that lasted longer than scheduled. Trump, who has publicly backed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and stated Iran will not be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons, confirmed that the Israel-Iran conflict was discussed during his meeting with Munir. While he did not share further details, Pakistan has maintained its longstanding position that Israel's war with Iran threatens to destabilize the region. 'Pakistan strongly condemns unjustified and illegitimate aggression by Israel against the Islamic Republic of Iran,' foreign office spokesperson Ambassador Shafqat Ali Khan said at the outset of his weekly press briefing. 'Pakistan stands in resolute solidarity with the people of Iran and unequivocally denounces these blatant provocations, which constitute a grave danger and a serious threat to the peace, security, and stability of the entire region and beyond, with serious implications,' he added. 'The international community and the United Nations bear the responsibility to uphold international law, stop this aggression immediately and hold the aggressor accountable for its actions.' Khan pointed to a joint statement released earlier this week by 20 countries, including Pakistan, calling for an immediate halt to hostilities in the Middle East and urging de-escalation. The statement underscored the urgent need to establish 'a Middle East Zone Free of Nuclear Weapons and Other Weapons of Mass Destruction,' applying to all states in the region without exception. It further called on all Middle Eastern countries to join the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Asked whether the United States sought any 'special favor' from Pakistan during the army chief's meeting with Trump, Khan said both nations share 'strong and multifaceted relations' with 'a full agenda of interaction and cooperation.' 'So, I don't know how to characterize or define a special favor,' he remarked. The spokesperson reiterated that Pakistan has consistently advocated for diplomatic solutions to international conflicts and would support any meaningful initiative in that direction.
Arab News
44 minutes ago
- Arab News
UK projects power in Middle East while maintaining neutrality
Since last Friday, the hostilities between Israel and Iran have intensified, with both sides locked in continuous attacks. In response to this growing instability, the UK moved quickly to strengthen its military presence in the Middle East by deploying additional Royal Air Force jets, including Typhoons and air-to-air refuelers. This precautionary measure is part of London's efforts to safeguard its interests and protect its personnel, particularly after Iran threatened to target Western bases should the UK, US or France intervene in its operations against Israel. The UK has long maintained a significant military footprint in the Middle East. Permanent bases include a naval support facility in Bahrain, the Duqm logistics base and Al-Musannah airbase in Oman and Al-Minhad airbase in the UAE, as well as RAF Akrotiri and Dhekelia in Cyprus. These constitute strategic hubs that support operations across the region. This presence has significant economic rationale as, since 2010, approximately 60 percent of UK arms exports have gone to the Middle East, with Saudi Arabia being the largest buyer. Trade with the Gulf Cooperation Council states is currently valued at £57 billion ($76 billion) annually, with more than £5 billion of that attributed to defense exports. These exports include fighter jets, military equipment and arms. Gulf countries have shown strong interest in the UK's Typhoon program in particular. Oman, for instance, has received 12 Typhoons and eight Hawk Mk 166 advanced jet trainers. In 2018, Qatar placed a £5 billion order for 24 Typhoons, with an additional 12 jets recently requested. Similarly, Saudi Arabia has already acquired 72 Eurofighter Typhoons from the UK and has been in negotiations for 48 more for several years. The Middle East is identified as a priority area in the UK's recently published strategic defense review Zaid M. Belbagi This flourishing defense cooperation reflects the UK's strategic commitment to the region. The Middle East is identified as a priority area in the UK's recently published strategic defense review, which outlines plans to deepen security ties, expand defense trade and develop long-term technology and capability partnerships that also foster economic growth. The UK's permanent presence in the region stands as a clear signal of its long-term commitment. Its decision last December to join the US-Bahrain Comprehensive Security Integration and Prosperity Agreement further deepens its role as a pivotal security partner in the Middle East. Moreover, British forces continue to contribute significantly to regional stability. The Royal Navy has helped secure vital shipping lanes in the Red Sea against Houthi threats and, through Operation Shader, the UK remains actively engaged in the international coalition against Daesh. On the other hand, the Middle East, particularly the Gulf countries, have provided the UK with vital access and basing rights, enabling it to continue to support international security operations and uphold freedom of navigation. These elements are crucial for ensuring domestic energy security, protecting global seaborne trade routes and projecting UK power internationally. However, amid the escalating conflict between Iran and Israel, marked by ongoing missile and airstrike exchanges, the UK is adopting a precautionary approach to safeguard its military assets in the region. The aim is clear: to prevent any harm to its forces while the situation remains volatile. The UK is transitioning toward a more integrated security role in the region, beyond mere deterrence Zaid M. Belbagi This preventive posture reflects the UK's broader stance on the conflict. On Saturday, following a conversation with his Iranian counterpart, Foreign Secretary David Lammy addressed Parliament to outline Britain's diplomatic and military position in the unfolding crisis. He reaffirmed that, in moments of such tension, the government's top priority remains the safety and welfare of British nationals. Looking ahead, this carefully maintained neutrality may come under pressure. As outlined in the 2025 strategic defense review, the UK's defense and military cooperation with the Middle East continues to expand, with flourishing partnerships across the Gulf, especially in Bahrain, the UK's longest-standing security partner in the region. This deepening engagement could, over time, create friction or disagreements with Israel, especially as attacks continue and the regional crisis deepens. With the British involvement in US-Bahrain Comprehensive Security Integration and Prosperity Agreement and growing coordination with Washington and Gulf partners, the UK is transitioning toward a more integrated security role in the region, beyond mere deterrence. The UK now stands at a critical juncture, where safeguarding its military footprint must align with its carefully crafted neutrality. The decisions made in the coming months will not just decide the future of its alliances and presence in the Middle East, they could also redefine Britain's very place on the global defense stage.
Arab News
2 hours ago
- Arab News
Syria completes first global SWIFT transfer since war
DAMASCUS: Syrian Arab Republic has carried out its first international bank transaction via the SWIFT system since the outbreak of its 14-year civil war, its central bank governor said on Thursday, a milestone in the country's push to reintegrate into the global financial system. Abdelkader Husriyeh told Reuters in Damascus that a direct commercial transaction had been carried out from a Syrian to an Italian bank on Sunday, and that transactions with US banks could begin within weeks. 'The door is now open to more such transactions,' he said. Syrian banks were largely cut off from the world during the civil war after a crackdown by Bashar Assad on anti-government protests in 2011 led Western states to impose sanctions, including on Syria's central bank. Assad was ousted as president in a lightning offensive by rebels last year and Syria has since taken steps to re-establish international ties, culminating in a May meeting between interim President Ahmed Al-Sharaa and US President Donald Trump in Riyadh. The US then significantly eased its sanctions and some in Congress are pushing for them to be totally repealed. Europe has announced the end of its economic sanctions regime. Syria needs to make transfers with Western financial institutions in order to bring in huge sums for reconstruction and to kickstart a war-ravaged economy that has left nine out of 10 people poor, according to the UN. Husriyeh chaired a high-level virtual meeting on Wednesday bringing together Syrian banks, several US banks and US officials, including Washington's Syria envoy Thomas Barrack. The aim of the meeting was to accelerate the reconnection of Syria's banking system to the global financial system and Husriyeh extended a formal invitation to US banks to re-establish correspondent banking ties. 'We have two clear targets: have US banks set up representative offices in Syria and have transactions resume between Syrian and American banks. I think the latter can happen in a matter of weeks,' Husriyeh told Reuters. Among the banks invited to Wednesday's conference were JP Morgan, Morgan Stanley and Citibank, though it was not immediately clear who attended.
