China backs Iran in 'safeguarding sovereignty, security and dignity'
As Iran braces for an attack from Israel, Chinese President Xi Jinping pledged to forge stronger ties with the Islamic republic during his meeting with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian yesterday.
“Regardless of changes in the international and regional situation, China will unwaveringly develop cooperation with Iran.
“China supports Iran in safeguarding its national sovereignty, security and dignity, steadily advancing its economic and social development, and improving and deepening its good neighbourly relations with neighbouring countries,” the South China Morning Post quoted Xi as telling Pezeshkian on the sidelines of a Brics summit in Russia’s southwestern Kazan.
Russia has also made it clear that it would not abandon Iran during its hour of need.
“We are developing cooperation with Iran in a variety of areas. We intend to do this further,” Kremlin press secretary Dmitry Peskov told CNBC.
“This cooperation is in no way directed against third countries,” he added.
Preskov was asked how Russia perceived the status of its relationship with Iran during heightened tensions in the Middle East
He was also quizzed on how the Kremlin would balance its competing interests and alliances in the region.
In a separate development, Reuters reported Israel's military as stating that it had killed a Hamas commander who also worked for the UN aid agency (UNRWA) in the Gaza Strip.
The Israeli military claimed that the deceased had taken part in the Oct 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel.
Israel has accused UNRWA of having many employees who are members of Hamas and other armed groups.
In August, UNRWA said it terminated the employment of nine staff who were possibly involved in the Oct 7 attack.
