China was deeply concerned about the Israeli attacks on Iran and urged de-escalation for regional peace and stability, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Friday.
"China is closely following Israel’s attacks on Iran and is deeply concerned about the potential grave consequences of the operation. China opposes actions that violate Iran’s sovereignty, security and territorial integrity, and opposes moves that escalate tensions and enlarge conflicts," read a statement by Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian.
"The abrupt heating up of the region serves no one’s interests. China calls on relevant parties to choose the course of action that is conducive to peace and stability in the region, and avoid further escalation. China stands ready to play a constructive role in helping ease the situation," he added.
Israel on Friday carried out dozens of airstrikes in Iran, hitting nuclear and military sites and killing several commanders and nuclear scientists.
Iran immediately responded by launching drones against Israel, and called the Israeli attack "a declaration of war".
US President Donald Trump -- although saying his country was not involved -- warned Iran there will be more "death and destruction".
International calls for restraint are multiplying, as fears grow the Middle East could be on the threshold of a broader conflict.
The attacks started in the early hours of Friday -- a day of rest and prayer in Iran.
Israel hit a key underground nuclear site in Natanz several times, Iranian state television said, reporting that most damage was at "surface level".
Other key nuclear sites at Fordow and Isfahan were not immediately struck, said the UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, citing Iranian authorities.
Additional strikes were reported against sites in Iran's northwest.
The head of Iran's Revolutionary Guards, Hossein Salami, and the chief of staff of its armed forces, Mohammad Bagheri, were killed, with replacements swiftly named by supreme leader Ali Khamenei.
The Revolutionary Guards said that its aerospace commander, Amirali Hajizadeh, was also killed. He was in charge of Iran's ballistic missile forces.
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