Ease tensions in Mideast against illegal acts of war: China tells UN

China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Thursday called on the UN Security Council to help end the tensions in the Middle East "rather than endorsing illegal acts of war," state media reported.

Wang made the remarks during a phone call from Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Xinhua News reported.

"A ceasefire and the cessation of hostilities are the common aspiration of the international community," said Wang, adding: "Actions by the UN Security Council should help ease tensions and bring the war to an end to resume talks, rather than endorsing illegal acts of war, let alone adding fuel to the fire."

The latest statement from Beijing came as tensions in the Middle East have escalated since Israel and the US initiated a joint offensive against Iran on Feb. 28, resulting in more than 1,340 deaths, including then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf countries hosting US military assets, causing casualties and infrastructure damage while disrupting global markets and aviation.

At least 13 US servicemen have been killed during the ongoing war, with dozens of others wounded.

Tehran has maintained effective control of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for energy supplies to Asian nations, only allowing vessels of those nations Iran calls "friendly countries."

Wang, in his conversation with his Bahrani counterpart, reiterated China's "principled stance of opposing aggression and advocating for peace."

China and Pakistan have released a five-point initiative to restore peace and stability in the Gulf and the Middle East, Wang said, adding that it includes calls for an end to attacks on civilians and non-military targets, ensuring the security of the Strait of Hormuz, and restoring normal shipping passage.

Zayani, current chair of the ministerial council of the Gulf Cooperation Council, said the Gulf nations "currently face severe security challenges, and the shipping passage in the Strait of Hormuz has been obstructed," the report said.