Source : BRICS NEWS
BEIJING Oct 19, 2026 – Chinese Premier Li Qiang has condemned the war waged by the United States and Israel against Iran as “blatant aggression”, according to a post by BRICS News on X on Tuesday (Oct 20).
Li made the remarks on Monday (Oct 19) during a meeting in Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan, with Iran’s First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref, on the sidelines of the 25th meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of Government, according to reports by Iran’s state news agency IRNA, Mehr News Agency and Press TV.
According to Mehr News Agency, Li said the US and Israeli attacks on Iran had taken place while negotiations were under way and without authorisation from the United Nations Security Council, and stressed that China’s position in condemning them was clear and firm.
The Chinese premier also reaffirmed Beijing’s opposition to unilateral US sanctions on Iran, called for the revival of the Islamabad agreement and said China would firmly defend Iran’s legitimate rights in international forums, the reports said. Press TV, citing China’s Xinhua news agency, reported that Li stressed that the sovereignty and security of all countries must be respected, and urged all parties to choose peace, resume dialogue and negotiations at an early date, and settle their differences through political and diplomatic means.
Li noted that China had been making every effort to encourage peace and promote dialogue, in line with initiatives put forward by President Xi Jinping, including his four-point proposals on Middle East peace, stability and common security, Press TV reported.
Aref, for his part, said Iran attached great importance to its relations with China and was ready to strengthen cooperation and coordination within multilateral frameworks such as the SCO and BRICS, according to Press TV. He thanked Beijing for its efforts to promote peace and end conflicts, and expressed hope for an early return to the Islamabad memorandum of understanding and the restoration of regional stability.
The war began with US-Israeli strikes on Iran on Feb 28 this year, according to Press TV and Gulf News. Press TV said the Islamabad memorandum, reached earlier this year with Pakistani mediation, had provided for an immediate and permanent end to military operations on all fronts, a commitment to refrain from the threat or use of force, and a framework for broader negotiations. Iranian officials have said the agreement was subsequently violated.
Gulf News reported that Li’s language went beyond a routine call for restraint, framing the strikes as a violation of Iranian sovereignty and the UN Charter. It noted that China is Iran’s most important economic partner and a major buyer of Iranian oil, but has so far emphasised political, diplomatic and economic backing rather than direct military involvement. This year also marks the 10th anniversary of the Iran-China comprehensive strategic partnership, Press TV said.
Li arrived in Dushanbe on Oct 18 for an official visit to Tajikistan and the SCO prime ministers’ meeting, according to China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and held talks with Tajik Prime Minister Kokhir Rasulzoda and President Emomali Rahmon. Iran is a full member of the SCO, which had earlier expressed serious concern over the military strikes on the country.
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