BEIJING – Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his Iranian counterpart, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, held phone talks on Monday regarding the tensions between Israel and Iran.

Briefing Wang on Iran's position on the attack on the consular section of the Iranian embassy in Damascus, Syria, Amir-Abdollahian said that the UN Security Council did not make a necessary response to this attack, and that Iran has the right to self-defense in response to the violation of its sovereignty.

Referring to the very sensitive current regional situation, he said Iran is willing to exercise restraint and has no intention of further escalating the situation.

Tehran calls for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and supports Beijing's active efforts to push for a ceasefire, restore regional peace and strengthen cooperation among regional countries, the Iranian diplomat said.

Wang Yi stressed on the need to achieve a ceasefire and end the fighting in Gaza, effectively protect civilians and prevent further aggravation of the humanitarian disaster

Iran is willing to work with China for further development of Iran-China cooperation, he added.

Wang meanwhile said China strongly condemns and firmly opposes the attack on the consular section of the Iranian embassy in Damascus, regarding it as a serious violation of international law and unacceptable.

China noted Iran's statement that its action taken was limited and was an act of self-defense in response to the attack against the Iranian consulate in Syria, he said.

China appreciates Iran's stress on not targeting regional and neighboring countries as well as its reiteration on continuously pursuing a good-neighborly and friendly policy, said Wang, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee.

The current situation is a spillover effect of the escalating conflict in Gaza, he said, adding that the pressing task now is to implement Security Council Resolution 2728 as soon as possible, achieve a ceasefire and end the fighting in Gaza, effectively protect civilians and prevent further aggravation of the humanitarian disaster, he said.

China is willing to maintain communication with the Iranian side and jointly push for a comprehensive, just and lasting settlement of the Palestinian issue, Wang said.

Separately, Wang Yi also held phone talks with his Saudi counterpart, Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, on Monday regarding the Middle East situation and China-Saudi Arabia ties.

Expressing appreciation for Saudi Arabia's emphasis on resolving issues through diplomatic means, he said China is willing to work together with Saudi Arabia to avoid further escalation of confrontation in the Middle East.

Faisal meanwhile said Saudi Arabia hopes that the situation will return to the normal track as soon as possible.

Saudi Arabia highly expects China to play an active and important role in this regard, he said, adding that the Saudi side is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with China to promote an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in Gaza, start the implementation of the two-state solution, and help achieve stability in the Middle East at an early date.

Saudi Arabia fully trusts China, and is willing to push for the sustainable development of bilateral cooperation, he added.