Iranians in China hope for quick resolution to unrest, urge against foreign interference

Iranians living and working in China are closely watching the situation back home, as tensions in Iran have been escalating amid two weeks of nationwide unrest.

A wave of protests has recently swept through Iran, with some turning into deadly clashes. About 2,000, including security personnel, have been killed in the protests in Iran, an official told media on Tuesday.

The unrest has fueled claims by Iranian authorities that the United States and Israel may be behind the scenes.

In Beijing, Iranians have voiced their concern for their families and called for stability without external interference.

"Through our consulates, we can now call the people in Iran. Currently, people are going to work and attending classes as usual; it is not [as severe as] what the internet shows. While some foreign airlines have canceled flights to Iran, Iranian airlines are still flying to China, and we are in contact with people coming from Iran. Some exhibitions in Iran have been delayed, but overall, logistics have not been significantly impacted. I hope other nations refrain from interfering in our internal affairs, so we can resolve our own issues in the shortest possible time," said Hossein Khalifi, a representative from the Iran-China Friendship Association.

"Actually, from last Wednesday, I cannot contact anymore with my family and my friends in Iran, because they don't have internet. And so international call is canceling in Iran. So I cannot contact; they also didn't contact anymore with me. Of course, everybody is worried about this situation. No one is happy. We don't have the rates, sending the carpets and the craft or other things, because customs doesn't work well now. Many foreign flights were canceled. This is a problem for business. Our situation is much, much more complicated. But I think if the U.S. (claims it) wants to help my country or Israel wants to help my country or France or European countries want to help our country, I don't believe that. Every people should try to make their country by themselves," said Arastou Pourheydar Boroujen, general manager of the Iran Cultural and Art Center in Beijing.

Iranians in China hope for quick resolution to unrest, urge against foreign interference

Two major Qatari energy facilities shut down operations after being damaged during Iran's strikes targeting the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed Al-Ansari said on Tuesday, adding that the situation had been contained.

QatarEnergy announced on Monday that it had suspended liquefied natural gas (LNG) production following attacks on two of its energy facilities, and on Tuesday said it was suspending production of downstream natural gas products such as urea and methanol.

The shutdown sent gas prices skyrocketing on global energy markets, provoking fears of an energy crisis sparked by the conflict in the Middle East.

Speaking during his weekly press conference, Al-Ansari said that the decision to shut down the facilities was taken as a precaution, to ensure the safety of personnel and infrastructure after the strike damaged key production and processing sites.

"The damage was contained and now the operations to assess, technically, the safety of the facilities is underway. And from the defensive posture, as you have seen, we have been ready in monitoring and dealing with all of these attacks," he said.

Al-Ansari said that Qatar is committed to de-escalating the situation, and added that Qatar had not had any contact with Iran since Feb 28.

"Qatar's diplomatic stance has always been firm and clear: committed to peace, actively promoting de-escalation, advocating dialogue and consultation, and striving to resolve the conflict peacefully," he said.

Major Qatari energy facilities damaged in Iranian strikes: foreign ministry