China Intensifies Criticism of the US over Iran Issue: "US Middle East Policy is a Failure"

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Sunmi Park] China has sharply criticized the United States' Middle East policy, calling it a highly failed policy.

In an editorial on the 7th, China’s Global Times stated, "The United States must have felt that the current Middle East situation has become more complicated than before the assassination of Qasem Soleimani, the powerful Iranian military figure and commander of the Revolutionary Guard Quds Force," and added, "This has resulted in the United States falling into the worst isolation in the Middle East."

It further commented, "The U.S. Middle East policy is a complete failure," and pointed out, "The American approach of handling complex issues with simple decisions has always led to outcomes opposite to what the U.S. expected."

It also accused the U.S. of having an unprecedentedly flawed national security perspective.

The Global Times criticized, "When military power becomes sufficiently strong, the U.S. cannot resist the temptation to test it," and emphasized that because Middle East issues are very complex, the U.S. must recognize that many problems cannot be solved by military power alone. It also pointed out, "What is happening in Iran is another version of the 'America First' policy," and questioned, "If a large-scale war breaks out in Iran, would it really benefit the U.S.? If the U.S. does not want that, why is it creating uncertainty?"

The Chinese government has also been raising the level of criticism daily, holding the U.S. responsible as tensions in the Middle East escalate following the death of Commander Soleimani in a U.S. airstrike.

Geng Shuang, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said at a regular press briefing the previous afternoon that the U.S. actions violated the basic principles of international relations, urging, "The U.S. should not abuse force, and all parties should exercise restraint." He also claimed that the U.S. unilateral withdrawal from the nuclear agreement and extreme pressure on Iran are the root causes of the nuclear tension in Iran, stating, "The U.S. military 'adventurism' worsens tensions and instability in the Middle East. China will play a constructive role in safeguarding peace in the Middle East."

Iran is making efforts to draw China, a permanent member of the UN Security Council, as an ally. The Iranian ambassador to China expressed in an interview with the Global Times, "Iran can protect China’s current interests," and urged, "We hope China will play a constructive role in easing the tensions in the Middle East caused by the assassination of Commander Soleimani." He added, "China plays a very important and positive role in the UN Security Council," emphasizing, "China should use international platforms such as the Security Council to play a constructive role in the current situation."