Chinese ambassador says ceasefire must hold, calls US and Israel 'illegitimate' parties in Iran war; denies military ties with Iran

Ambassador Fu Cong, China’s permanent representative to the United Nations, told reporters that the most urgent task in the Iran‑related fighting is to sustain the ceasefire and to resume good‑faith negotiations. Asked what role China has played in ceasefire talks and in reopening the Strait of Hormuz, he said China is talking to all sides and supports mediation efforts, including those by Pakistan.

Fu made a contested political claim about the origins of the fighting, saying the "root cause of this situation" was "the illegitimate war by the US and Israel against Iran," and said recent remarks suggesting ceasefires are temporary were "worrying and concerning." He said both Iran and the United States must take steps "to lift restrictions" and that reopening the Strait of Hormuz requires action by both sides.

On sanctions, Fu called measures targeting Chinese ships or companies "illegitimate" and said they are unfair. In response to a question about reported military cooperation between China and Iran, Fu stated: "There is no military cooperation between China and Iran," and described some US allegations on that point as false.

The briefing recorded no independent evidence confirming or refuting Fu's attribution of responsibility for the conflict or the allegations he described; his statements were delivered as the Chinese government’s position. Reporters pressed follow‑ups but the transcript records no on‑the‑record rebuttal from other Council members during the briefing.