TEHRAN – On Thursday, a senior Iranian official of the Islamic Republic warned that the Israel-Gaza conflict could spill over in the region if the measures aimed at stopping the Israeli attacks end in a deadlock.

Kamal Kharrazi, the head of Iran’s Strategic Council on Foreign Relations, made the remarks in a meeting with visiting Head of the International Liaison Department of the Chinese Communist Party Liu Jianchao.

Expressing concern about the surge of extremism in Western countries, Kharrazi addressed the Zionist regime’s aggression against Gaza, stating that the United States and Europe, through military, financial, and political support to the Zionist regime, are complicit in the tragic events affecting the non-combatants in the besieged Gaza Strip. Since the inception of Israel-Gaza conflict on October 7, at least 16,248 Palestinians, including 7,112 children and 4,885 women have been killed by the atrocious Zionist regime. Additionally, some 7,600 people are missing and assumed buried under the rubble in Gaza, which is under “complete siege” by Israel.

“The situation in the region is highly dangerous and crisis-ridden, raising the potential for an escalation of conflict,” Kharrazi noted.

Regarding the Gaza conflict, Liu Jianchao affirmed Beijing’s unwavering support for the Palestinian people, aligning with Arab and Islamic countries.

During this meeting, the senior Iranian official also underscored the importance of collaborative efforts among Iran, China, Russia, and southern countries in shaping a new global order. He suggested that organizations such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and BRICS could serve as effective frameworks for such cooperation.

Noting the imminent “multipolarity” of the world, Kharrazi asserted that the future world order will be “marked by the participation of emerging regional powers.”

Kharrazi proposed the continuation of strategic dialogues between Iran’s Strategic Council on Foreign Relations and the International Liaison Department of the Chinese Communist Party, a suggestion that was received well by the Chinese official.

Liu Jianchao, for his part, delineated Beijing’s perspective on international relations, expressing China’s support for an international order centered on the United Nations and democratic principles. 

He also welcomed the strengthening of cooperation between Iran and China, emphasizing the significance of enhancing people-to-people relations through the development of tourism and cultural dialogues.

MAS