Chinese Foreign Minister Talks with Iran Foreign Minister: "US Must Stop Abuse of Force"

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] Wang Yi, China's State Councilor and Foreign Minister, stated on the 4th during a phone call with Mohammad Javad Zarif, Iran's Foreign Minister, that "the United States must stop abusing military force," according to the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

According to major foreign media, Foreign Minister Wang told Minister Zarif, "The dangerous operations by the US military violate the fundamental norms of international relations and will exacerbate tensions and chaos in the Middle East." This referred to the death of Qasem Soleimani, the powerful commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force in Iran, caused by a US airstrike at Baghdad International Airport in Iraq.

The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated in a release, "China opposes the use of force in international relations and will play a constructive role in maintaining peace and stability in the Middle East and Gulf region." China is a major importer of Iranian crude oil and participated in the 2015 Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA - Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) signed between the West and Iran.