China warns against the ‘law of the jungle’ amid anti-government protests in Iran
Foreign Minister Wang Yi told his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi that Beijing was willing to mediate
Foreign Minister Wang Yi spoke to his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, by phone on Thursday, telling him that Beijing was willing to play a “constructive role” in resolving differences through dialogue.
Some observers have described the recent protests in Iran as the largest since the 1979 Islamic revolution with an estimated death toll ranging from 2,000 to 12,000.
Araghchi told Wang the demonstrations had been “incited by external forces”, according to the Chinese foreign ministry, but said the situation had now stabilised and that Tehran “has prepared countermeasures against foreign interference”.
“The door to dialogue remains open,” he added, and said he hoped China would play a greater role in maintaining regional peace.
Wang expressed confidence in the Iranian government’s ability to overcome its difficulties and maintain national stability, the statement from Beijing added.
Wang said: “China opposes the use or threat of force in international relations, opposes imposing one’s will on other countries and opposes any regression of the world to the ‘law of the jungle’.”