By Janet Ekstract NEW YORK- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and China’s top diplomat Wang Yi via phone discussed the situation between Iran and Israel while touching on the situation in Gaza, on Friday. Blinken expressed concern about Iran’s imminent threat to strike Israel in retaliation for Israel’s April 1 strike on Iran’s embassy in Damascus with Wang urging the U.S. to play what he said should be “a constructive role” in the Middle East. China’s foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said: “China will continue to play a constructive role in the resolution of the Middle East issue…and contribute to cooling down the situation.” Wang said China strongly condemns Israel’s attack on April 1 while highlighting that diplomatic institutions have “inviolable” rights to security and that the sovereignty of Iran and Syria must be respected. Wang added: “The United States side in particular, should play a constructive role.”
Meanwhile, in light of Iran’s threats, the U.S. State Department has issued a recommendation for its staff in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem not to travel outside those cities. Israel’s strike killed seven top members of the Islamic Republic’s elite Revolutionary Guards that included two generals. While Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah (Ali) Khamenei issued stark warnings to Israel about its vow to retaliate for the attack, Blinken in his call with Wang, requested China’s help in urging Iran not to create a wider conflict. Prior to Blinken’s talk with Wang, the U.S. made a number of public appeals to China to do more in dealing with the crisis, including pressuring Iran – a backer of Hamas. China has long held the view and criticized the U.S. of being biased toward Israel. China’s foreign ministry statement said: “This round of escalation is the latest manifestation of the spillover from the Gaza conflict and it is imperative that the Gaza conflict be put to rest as soon as possible,” adding Beijing calls for an immediate ceasefire. Despite U.S.. President Joe Biden’s visible anger at Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu after Israeli forces struck and killed U.S. seven aid workers in a three-vehicle convoy – he said his support of Israel in the fight against Iran is ”ironclad.”
