China calls for immediate stop of military actions: envoy

China is highly concerned over the military strikes against Iran launched by the United States and Israel, said Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, on Saturday, calling for an immediate stop of the military actions and no further escalation of the situation.

Speaking at the UN Security Council meeting on Iran, Fu said the sovereignty, security and territorial integrity of Iran and other regional countries should be respected.

"Military force is not the right way to resolve international disputes, but only intensify hatred and conflicts. The escalation and spillover of the situation in the Middle East are not in the interests of any party. Dialogue and negotiations are the only way to resolve conflicts and disputes. China calls for an immediate stop of the military actions, and no further escalation of the situation," he said.

The U.S. and Israel on Saturday launched what U.S. President Donald Trump called "major combat operations" against Iran, plunging the war-torn Middle East into a new round of violent conflicts.

China calls for immediate stop of military actions: envoy

China calls for immediate stop of military actions: envoy

Russia announced on Saturday that its forces had taken control two settlements in Zaporizhzhia region over the past 24 hours, while Ukraine reported repelling waves of Russian offensives along multiple fronts.

The Russian Defense Ministry said in its daily report that Russian forces struck energy infrastructure facilities supporting Ukraine's military-industrial complex in the previous day.

The ministry also reported that Russian air defense system had destroyed eight guided aerial bombs, one Flamingo long-range cruise missile, 10 U.S.-made HIMARS rockets, and shot down 315 Ukrainian fixed-wing drones.

On the same day, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that 148 clashes took place along the front lines over the past day, and Ukrainian forces successfully repelled Russian attacks in multiple directions.

According to the General Staff, Ukraine's Air Force, missile units, and artillery struck Russian command posts, troop and equipment concentration areas, and logistics supply points.

It also claimed that more than 1,000 Russian drones were shot down.

Russia claims seizing control of 2 settlements, Ukraine reports repelling Russian offensives