On June 15, China's state media commented on the progress of peace negotiations between the US and Iran, stating that "the world has taken notice of Iran's remarkable resilience" and warned that Israel could emerge as a significant variable in the Middle East situation.
In a commentary on the social media account of the state-run Xinhua News Agency, Newtanqin, it was noted, "This war has dragged on for a long time and caused many casualties, but both the US and Iran will claim victory." It added, "In modern international politics, there are no absolute winners or losers, only face-saving measures."
Newtanqin explained that President Donald Trump would highlight Iran's commitment to permanently abandon nuclear weapons as a major achievement, while Iran would assert its victory by maintaining control over the Strait of Hormuz despite pressure from superpowers and the US agreeing to lift asset freezes.
Conversely, Israel was described as being in a "complex emotional state" and could potentially become another significant variable. The commentary pointed out that while Israel attempted to leverage instability in the Middle East to gain a strategic advantage, it ultimately failed to achieve its objectives.
Newtanqin characterized the US-Iran peace agreement as a significant boon for a world fraught with uncertainty. It noted that the peace process was fraught with challenges, stating, "Peace is not a gift that comes easily; it is the result of parties that can no longer sustain war choosing to restrain their desires, cease conflicts, and minimize losses."
The commentary further suggested that the recent developments serve as a textbook example revealing the illusion of military hegemony, asserting that while hegemony can instigate wars and chaos, it cannot control situations or resolve disputes.
Newtanqin criticized the assumption that military attacks could subdue a major power like Iran, stating, "Ultimately, they found themselves trapped in the quagmire of war, exposing their weaknesses and left with no choice but to opt for a ceasefire and compromise."
It emphasized that although Iran has paid a heavy price, the situation has led the world to reassess its view of Iran. The media noted, "Iran withstood attacks from two military powers (the US and Israel) and, by not backing down, managed to extract concessions from its adversaries," adding that some aspects of the agreement were previously unimaginable for Iran.
It concluded that while great powers can exert pressure and torment, they cannot completely subdue a nation determined to maintain its bottom line.
On June 14, the US and Iran announced they would officially sign a memorandum of understanding for the immediate and permanent cessation of military operations between the two nations. This comes 106 days after the US and Israel initiated the conflict with airstrikes on Iran on February 28. The two countries are set to hold an official signing ceremony in Switzerland on June 19.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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