China Demands Halt Against Iran Strikes As UK Pushes For Diplomatic Way Out

Last Updated:March 09, 2026, 17:47 IST

As US-Israeli bombs continue to fall on Iran, Beijing is demanding an immediate ceasefire while London is pushing hard for talks. Here is where the world stands.

Beijing and London are calling for a halt to the ongoing US-Israeli military campaign against Iran, as the conflict that began on February 28 shows no signs of letting up. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi made a direct appeal to his Israeli counterpart on Tuesday, demanding that all military operations in Iran stop at once. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, speaking from Downing Street, stated that his government’s long-standing position is that the only real path forward is a negotiated settlement, one where Tehran agrees to give up its nuclear ambitions.

China has been among the loudest international voices against the strikes. Wang Yi warned against any attempt at regime change in Iran, stating that such a move would find “no popular support," and called on all sides to return to the negotiating table as quickly as possible. Al Jazeera reported that Beijing condemned the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who died in the initial wave of US-Israeli strikes that also killed his wife and senior Iranian officials.

China’s foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said the strikes carried out by the US and Israel have no UN Security Council authorisation and violate international law, adding that Beijing is deeply concerned about the regional fallout. The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs also flagged growing threats to energy shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global oil and gas supplies.

In London, Starmer has walked a careful line. He told the House of Commons that the United Kingdom was not involved in the initial strikes, calling that decision deliberate, and reaffirmed that a negotiated settlement remains the best path for the region. However, he later allowed US forces to use British military bases for what he described as defensive operations, after Iran launched retaliatory drone and missile strikes across Gulf states. Gov.UK confirmed that British Typhoon and F-35 jets have already intercepted multiple incoming threats.

Starmer acknowledged that when Iran began attacking countries across the Gulf and the wider region, the situation changed significantly, Time reported.

The conflict has raised alarm across global markets, with oil prices spiking sharply since the war began.

With inputs from agencies

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