China Calls Out U.S. for Striking Iran, Claims Damage to Global Credibility

In a fierce rebuke, China accused the United States of undermining its own global credibility after military strikes targeted Iranian nuclear facilities while negotiations with Tehran were underway. Fu Cong, China’s ambassador to the United Nations, articulated these sentiments on Sunday, asserting that the U.S. actions not only endangered Iran but also compromised the integrity of American diplomacy. “While Iran is harmed, the damage to U.S. credibility as a negotiating party is equally significant,” Fu stated in an interview with China’s state broadcaster. China has consistently framed the U.S. as a belligerent force that disrupts global peace, contrasting its own image as a stabilizing power advocating for fairness.During an emergency U.N. Security Council session, Fu condemned the U.S. strikes, advocating for a cease-fire and the commencement of peace talks alongside Russia and Pakistan. Chinese state media echoed these sentiments, with Xinhua accusing the U.S. of exacerbating regional violence and disorder, and the Global Times declaring that the strikes eroded the international security architecture.Online, Chinese citizens voiced outrage, suggesting Iran had been naive to believe it could negotiate with the U.S., which ultimately used the discussions as a facade to reduce Iranian defenses before launching attacks. However, the situation is more intricate as China has historically supported Iran through economic channels, particularly in oil trade, which has bolstered the Iranian regime and its affiliates, like Hamas and Hezbollah.As the prospect of a wider conflict looms, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio called on China to leverage its influence on Tehran, particularly concerning the Strait of Hormuz, a critical oil transportation route. Experts suggest that while China would oppose any Iranian action to close the strait due to its reliance on Iranian oil, it would navigate these discussions on its terms, delaying any pressure on Iran at the behest of the United States.Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun, when questioned about potential Iranian actions regarding the Strait of Hormuz, redirected the discussion towards international calls for conflict de-escalation, reflecting China’s cautious approach amidst rising geopolitical tensions.