China has said the US attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities has damaged Washington’s credibility and Beijing was concerned that the situation “may go out of control”, Reuters reports citing the Chinese state broadcaster, following a UN Security Council meeting yesterday.

China’s UN Ambassador Fu Cong said parties should restrain the “impulse of force, avoid exacerbating conflicts and adding fuel to the fire,” according to the state broadcaster CCTV.

Cong said parties, especially Israel, “should immediately cease fire to prevent the situation from escalating and avoid the spillover of war.

“Iran was hurt, but the United States’ credibility was also damaged — both as a country and as a participant in any international negotiations,” Fu said.

State media commentary said the US move was extremely dangerous and provocative. The Global Times newspaper, in an opinion piece, said external military interference would never bring peace, and only “deepen regional hatred and trauma.”