China to continue working for peace, stability in Middle East: spokesman

China will continue to strengthen communication with all relevant parties on the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran, aiming to help restore peace and stability in the Middle East at an early date, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said at a press conference in Beijing on Friday.

Lin made the remarks in response to a query about the Middle East situation.

"The current conflict in the Middle East is escalating, and the war is expanding, which not only impacts regional peace and stability, but also directly affects international energy, finance, trade and shipping, undermining the common interests of all countries. History and reality have repeatedly proven that force provides no solution, and armed conflict will only add new hatred. The parties involved should immediately stop military operations to prevent further deterioration of situation. China will continue to strengthen communication with all relevant parties to mediate a ceasefire, so that peace and stability will be restored in the Middle East at an early date," said Lin.

China to continue working for peace, stability in Middle East: spokesman

China to continue working for peace, stability in Middle East: spokesman

China to continue working for peace, stability in Middle East: spokesman

China to continue working for peace, stability in Middle East: spokesman

China to continue working for peace, stability in Middle East: spokesman

The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said on Saturday that nuclear power plant sites or nearby areas must never be attacked, following a fourth strike near an Iranian nuclear power plant.

The IAEA said on social platform X that, according to the information from Iran, a projectile hit the nearby area of the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant on Saturday morning. This was the fourth such incident in recent weeks, it said.

One staff member at the site was killed by a projectile fragment, while a building on the site was affected by shockwaves and fragments, the IAEA said, citing the Iranian authorities. There was no increase in radiation levels reported, it added.

IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi expressed his deep concern about the incident, stressing that nuclear power plant sites or nearby areas "must never be attacked." He warned that the auxiliary site buildings may contain vital safety equipment.

Grossi once again stressed the paramount importance of ensuring nuclear safety and security during a conflict, calling for maximum military restraint to avoid the risk of a nuclear accident.

Iran's nuclear facilities have been struck several times since the joint Israeli-U.S. military actions against the Islamic Republic started on Feb. 28.

Nuclear power plants must never be attacked: IAEA chief