Immediate end to tensions urged

China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Thursday that the conflict in the Middle East was escalating and the fighting was spreading, warning that the turmoil was harming the shared interests of all countries and urging all parties to immediately halt military operations.

In a phone conversation with British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, Wang said there would be no winners if the war drags on, adding that a ceasefire and an end to hostilities reflect the common aspiration of the international community.

He said the ongoing conflict is not only undermining regional peace and stability, but is also directly affecting international energy, finance, trade and shipping.

China calls on all parties to resolve differences through dialogue on an equal footing and jointly safeguard peace and stability in the region, he said.

As permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, China and Britain share responsibility for upholding international peace and security, Wang said.

He called on the two countries to strengthen communication, act in ways conducive to peace, jointly uphold the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and the basic norms governing international relations, and prevent further damage to the international order and the foundations of global peace.

Cooper briefed Wang on British views on the current situation in the Middle East, saying that in the face of a more turbulent world, Britain hopes to maintain close communication with China, promote an early end to the fighting, resume diplomatic negotiations and seek a long-term solution.

The two sides also exchanged views on bilateral relations and agreed on the need to actively implement the common understandings reached by the two countries' leaders, enhance exchanges, and continue advancing the long-term, consistent comprehensive strategic partnership, so as to provide greater stability and certainty to a world marked by turbulence and transformation.

Energy assets hit

The phone call came after a major escalation on Thursday in the region after Israel attacked Iran's massive offshore South Pars natural gas field a day earlier — the first known strike on Iranian energy infrastructure, prompting Tehran to escalate attacks on similar facilities belonging to its Gulf neighbors.

South Pars is the Iranian segment of the world's largest natural gas field, which Iran shares with Qatar across the Gulf. Iran's Fars news agency reported that gas tanks and parts of a refinery had been hit, workers had been evacuated to safety, and firefighters were battling to put out a fire.

Hours after the attack on the field, Qatar said a ballistic missile struck its Ras Laffan natural gas complex, sparking a fire that caused "extensive" damage. Ras Laffan accounts for roughly 20 percent of global LNG supply — a critical pillar of the world's energy security.

After the strike, Qatar ordered Iran's security and military attaches at its embassy to leave the country within 24 hours.

Tehran also targeted the Habshan gas facility and Bab field in the United Arab Emirates. The Abu Dhabi Media Office said gas operations had been suspended.

In Saudi Arabia, Iran attacked the vast Eastern Province, home to many major oil fields. In Riyadh, many heard explosions or received text warning alerts for the first time since Feb 28. The kingdom reserves the right to take military action against Iran and all trust with Tehran has been shattered, Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan warned on Thursday, as regional and Islamic foreign ministers met in the Saudi capital.

Oil prices have surged to nearly $110 a barrel following strikes against energy infrastructure in Iran and the Gulf nations.

During the three weeks of conflict, the United States and Israel have been targeting Iran's energy production facilities, a move that could trigger further retaliation against other producers in the region.