Iran attack 'could lead to war'
Source: Agencies |
April 7, 2012, Saturday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
A SENIOR Chinese diplomat said yesterday that an attack on Iran would invite devastating retaliation that would envelop the region and destabilize global economic recovery.
The international community had to restrain itself from war, he added.
Iran is locked in a dispute with the West over its nuclear program, which Iran says is for peaceful purposes.
Israel and the United States have threatened military action unless Iran abandons activities the West suspects are intended to develop nuclear weapons.
China has urged a negotiated solution to the dispute and long opposed the use of force.
"If force is used on Iran, it will certainly incur retaliation, cause an even greater military clash, worsen turmoil in the region, threaten the security of the Strait of Hormuz and other strategic passages, drive up global oil prices and strike a blow at the world economic recovery," said Chen Xiaodong, head of the Foreign Ministry's West Asia and North African affairs division.
"There may be 10,000 reasons to go to war but you cannot remedy the terrible consequences of plunging the people into misery and suffering and the collapse of society and the economy caused by the flames of war," Chen said on a web chat hosted by the People's Daily.
Speculation is growing that Israel could launch some form of strike against Iranian nuclear installations. During a visit to Beijing last month, Israel's foreign minister hinted it could launch a preemptive attack on Iran despite repeated calls by China to allow diplomacy to take its course.
Chen said the pressing task was for all sides to resume dialogue as soon as possible.
"The international community has a responsibility to restrain itself from war," he said.
More talks between Iran and world powers are expected to take place this month in an attempt to reach a compromise.
The international community had to restrain itself from war, he added.
Iran is locked in a dispute with the West over its nuclear program, which Iran says is for peaceful purposes.
Israel and the United States have threatened military action unless Iran abandons activities the West suspects are intended to develop nuclear weapons.
China has urged a negotiated solution to the dispute and long opposed the use of force.
"If force is used on Iran, it will certainly incur retaliation, cause an even greater military clash, worsen turmoil in the region, threaten the security of the Strait of Hormuz and other strategic passages, drive up global oil prices and strike a blow at the world economic recovery," said Chen Xiaodong, head of the Foreign Ministry's West Asia and North African affairs division.
"There may be 10,000 reasons to go to war but you cannot remedy the terrible consequences of plunging the people into misery and suffering and the collapse of society and the economy caused by the flames of war," Chen said on a web chat hosted by the People's Daily.
Speculation is growing that Israel could launch some form of strike against Iranian nuclear installations. During a visit to Beijing last month, Israel's foreign minister hinted it could launch a preemptive attack on Iran despite repeated calls by China to allow diplomacy to take its course.
Chen said the pressing task was for all sides to resume dialogue as soon as possible.
"The international community has a responsibility to restrain itself from war," he said.
More talks between Iran and world powers are expected to take place this month in an attempt to reach a compromise.
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