Editor's note: CGTN's First Voice provides instant commentary on breaking stories. The column clarifies emerging issues and better defines the news agenda, offering a Chinese perspective on the latest global events.

On February 28, 2026, a dramatic escalation in Middle Eastern conflict unfolded when Israel and the United States launched coordinated airstrikes against targets in Iran. Explosions were heard across Tehran, and Israel declared a state of emergency amid fears of Iranian retaliation. Israeli officials described the strikes as pre-emptive, aimed at neutralizing perceived threats. Iranian airspace was shut down in response. 

These military actions follow months of deteriorating diplomatic efforts between Tehran and Washington, including failed talks to constrain Iran's nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief. Earlier negotiations had shown brief promise but ultimately collapsed without agreement, leaving open the question of whether diplomatic efforts have really been exhausted.

Compounding ongoing wars and deepening global insecurity, this escalation in the Middle East further destabilizes an already chaotic world—rather than bringing closure to disputes around nuclear proliferation, these strikes risk expanding conflict and undermining international law.

First, we must place this Israel-U.S. action in the context of a world already marred by multiple violent conflicts. The war between Russia and Ukraine continues to rage on. Cities are still under bombardment, millions of civilians have been displaced, and the conflict shows no clear path to resolution. Global economic strain and energy insecurity underscore how destructive prolonging warfare can be.

Meanwhile, just one day before the airstrikes on Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan erupted in fierce military conflicts along their border, with both sides launching attacks on each other's military positions and civilian areas, resulting in casualties and further straining bilateral relations.

The Israel-U.S. actions add a new layer of volatility to this chaotic landscape: it risks drawing other regional powers into the fray, disrupting global energy supplies, and diverting international attention and resources from efforts to resolve existing conflicts. In a world already struggling to address war, poverty, and climate change, these unnecessary military strikes are a reckless act that pushes global stability to the brink.

Worse still, the Israel-U.S. joint airstrikes are not only destabilizing but also futile in resolving the core issue at hand—the Iran nuclear program. History has repeatedly proven that war and force can never bring a lasting conclusion to disputes; instead, they only breed resentment, escalation, and more bloodshed. Experts have repeatedly warned that military strikes will only harden Iran's resolve, potentially prompting it to accelerate nuclear development in retaliation.

Moreover, the use of force against Iran constitutes a blatant violation of a sovereign nation's territorial integrity and international law. The United Nations Charter explicitly prohibits countries from using force against other sovereign states unless authorized by the Security Council or in cases of legitimate self-defense. Pre-emptive strikes, especially absent clear evidence of imminent attack, are widely viewed as violations of international norms.

In the face of growing global chaos, the only path forward is peace, dialogue, and cooperation—not military aggression. The Israel-U.S. joint airstrikes are a step backward for global peace, one that ignores the lessons of history and the cries of people around the world for stability. For the Iran nuclear issue, the only viable solution is to return to the negotiating table, respect Iran's legitimate security concerns, and find a mutually acceptable compromise through diplomatic means.

The world cannot afford another war, nor can it tolerate the erosion of international law and sovereign equality. The Israel-U.S. joint military actions in Iran are a wake-up call: if nations continue to prioritize force over dialogue, and self-interest over global well-being, the chaotic world we already know will only grow more unstable. The Israel-U.S. airstrikes must stop, now.

The author Liu Kun is a political analyst based in Beijing.

(If you want to contribute and have specific expertise, please contact us at opinions@cgtn.com. Follow @thouse_opinions on X, formerly Twitter, to discover the latest commentaries in the CGTN Opinion Section.)