Escalated Middle East conflict serves no one's interest: FM spokesman

The protraction and escalation of the conflict in the Middle East serves no one's interest, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said at a press briefing in Beijing on Tuesday.

Guo reaffirmed China's position in response to a media inquiry about the country's policies regarding Middle East tensions.

"China is gravely concerned about the tense situation in the Middle East. Over the past few days, China has been intensively conducting mediation efforts. Foreign Minister Wang Yi had phone calls with his counterparts from many other countries for in-depth exchanges of views on regional situation," said the spokesman.

"Special Envoy of the Chinese Government on the Middle East Issue Zhai Jun is currently on a tour to the Middle East. The protraction and escalation of the conflict serves no one's interest. China will continue to work with all parties, including parties to the conflict, to maintain communication, strengthen mediation, and build consensus to promote de-escalation of the situation," said Guo.

Escalated Middle East conflict serves no one's interest: FM spokesman

Russian President Vladimir Putin held a phone conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday evening at the latter's request, Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov said.

The conversation focused on the Iran conflict and the trilateral negotiations on a Ukraine settlement and lasted about one hour, Ushakov said.

Putin expressed a number of considerations aimed at the earliest political and diplomatic settlement of the Iran conflict, including taking stock of the contacts held with the leaders of the Persian Gulf countries, Iran's president, and the leaders of other countries.

The U.S. president provided his assessment of the evolving situation in the context of the ongoing U.S.-Israeli military operation.

Ushakov said Trump once again expressed his interest in seeing the conflict in Ukraine end with the earliest possible establishment of a ceasefire to achieve a long-term settlement.

Putin, Trump discuss Iran conflict, Ukraine settlement in phone call