China will continue mediating for Middle East ceasefire, foreign minister says

China will continue mediating to ​push for a ceasefire ‌and an end to fighting in the ​Middle East, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said, adding ⁠the war should never ​have happened and ​had no reason to continue, Reuters reported citing a foreign ​ministry statement.

​Wang Yi made the remarks ‌on ⁠Wednesday during a meeting in Beijing with the UAE presidential special ​envoy ​to ⁠China, Khaldoon Al Mubarak, in which ​he also voiced ​support ⁠for the UAE in safeguarding its sovereignty ⁠and ​security, according to Reuters. 

The U.S. and Israel launched what they described as a pre-emptive strike against Iran on February 28, claiming that Tehran was developing a nuclear weapon and posed a threat—an allegation Iran has denied. In response, Iran launched counterattacks, firing missiles and drones at Israel, as well as at U.S. assets and other targets across the Middle East.