Israel-Iran strikes risk global chaos: Call for diplomacy grows

Editor's note: Shahrokh Saei, a special commentator for CGTN, serves as editor of the International Desk at Tehran Times. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

Israel's military strikes against Iran mark a perilous escalation with grave consequences not only for the Middle East but also for global stability. Far from achieving its intended objectives, Israel's strategy of targeted assassinations – ranging from senior Iranian military commanders to renowned nuclear scientists – has failed to curtail Iran's resolve or its scientific advancements. Instead, it has deepened regional polarizatation and exposed the urgent need for a multilateral diplomatic approach to de-escalation.

The assumption that eliminating individual figures can dismantle Iran's nuclear capabilities or diminish its military strength is not only flawed but dangerously simplistic. For now, Iran's nuclear facilities show no sign of any damage. And the military attacks will not weaken Iran's resolution of defending its national sovereignty. Far from sowing fear or chaos, Israeli attacks on civilian infrastructure and residential areas have only galvanized public unity in Iran, fostering national resilience and calls for reciprocal measures.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's suggestion that these operations could bring about regime change in Iran underscores not strategic foresight but desperation. Floating the possibility of targeting Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei only serves to increase the likelihood of wider conflict. Facing mounting domestic and international pressure, Netanyahu appears increasingly reliant on external intervention – particularly from the United States – to alter the course of a conflict he helped ignite.

Yet, U.S. military involvement risks triggering a broader regional war. The Persian Gulf, a critical artery for global energy flows, would be the first casualty, sending shockwaves through international markets and threatening global economic stability.

Even within the U.S., opinions diverge. While U.S. President Donald Trump has ruled out direct intervention, his vocal endorsement of Israeli strikes – calling them "excellent" – has only muddied Washington's role in the crisis. Trump's previous "maximum pressure" campaign against Iran already proved ineffective, leading not to capitulation but to a more resilient and militarily capable Iran. Such unilateral approaches, marked by sanctions and the use of force, have alienated global audiences and drawn sharp criticism.

The mounting civilian death toll in this conflict – among them women and children – further underscores the moral and strategic bankruptcy of militarism as a tool of diplomacy.

In stark contrast, China has firmly rejected this path of escalation. The Chinese Foreign Ministry has called for restraint, highlighting the broader repercussions of continued hostilities and reaffirming that Iran's nuclear issue must be resolved through dialogue. This stance reflects China's consistent diplomatic philosophy: the promotion of peaceful conflict resolution, respect for sovereignty and adherence to international law.

China's constructive role as a mediator is not hypothetical – it is evidenced by real progress. In July last year, Beijing successfully brokered a reconciliation deal between Palestinian factions Hamas and Fatah, demonstrating the potential of principled diplomacy.

Even more significantly, China played a crucial mediating role in facilitating the historic rapprochement between Iran and Saudi Arabia – two longtime regional rivals whose detente had previously seemed unlikely. This agreement, reached in March 2023 under Chinese auspices, marked a turning point in Middle Eastern diplomacy and showed how strategic engagement can yield tangible outcomes.

The Iran-Saudi Arabia rapprochement not only restored diplomatic ties but also reduced regional tensions and opened pathways for broader cooperation in the Persian Gulf. It was a testament to China's credibility as a neutral facilitator committed to dialogue over confrontation. This precedent makes it all the more evident that a multilateral, diplomacy-driven framework is not only possible – it is effective.

Today, as tensions between Israel and Iran intensify, China again advocates for restraint, reaffirming the importance of multilateralism and the frameworks established by the United Nations. Chinese President Xi Jinping, during his attendance at the second China-Central Asia Summit held in Kazakhstan, remarked that "military conflicts are not the solution to problems, and the escalation of regional situations is not in the common interests of the international community."

However, Trump demands "unconditional surrender" from Iran. The sharp contrast between China's calls for calm and America's endorsement of Israeli military aggression underscores a deeper global divide – between those who believe in the rule of law and those who seek to bend it through force.

The global community now stands at a critical juncture. One path leads toward further chaos, driven by militarism and zero-sum calculations. The other offers a way forward – rooted in dialogue, cooperation and the peaceful settlement of disputes. As a nation committed to stability and multilateral engagement, China is uniquely positioned to play a mediating role that could help de-escalate the crisis and pave the way for sustainable peace in the region.

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