China Urges End to Fighting in Iran, De-escalation Between Afghanistan and Pakistan

China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi, in a phone call with Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, called for stopping U.S. and Israeli military operations in Iran to prevent crisis escalation. Wang stated China does not support attacks on Gulf countries and condemns strikes on civilians and non-military facilities. On recent Afghanistan-Pakistan clashes, he said China's special envoy for Afghanistan is shuttling between the countries to facilitate dialogue and reconciliation, with the immediate priority being to avert further tensions and return to negotiations.

Hamdullah Fitrat, deputy spokesman for the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, reported that four civilians from a nomadic family—a man, a woman and two children—were killed and three children wounded in Pakistani artillery and mortar attacks at 4 a.m. in Alisher Terez district of Khost province. Separate attacks in Kunar province caused property damage but no casualties.

Herat Governor Noor Ahmad Islamjar, meeting UN Deputy Special Representative Indrika Ratwatte and UNHCR Afghanistan head Arafat Jamal, praised UN handling of the first wave of returning migrants as a major success and affirmed local readiness for future returns. He urged prioritizing Afghan agricultural and industrial products in UN purchases, finding foreign markets for them, lifting banking restrictions, easing visas and providing online services for traders and the private sector. Ratwatte welcomed the proposals and pledged increased local sourcing and continued cooperation.

Tajik officials announced China will build nine border facilities along the Tajikistan-Afghanistan frontier, approved by Tajikistan's parliament to bolster border forces' technical capacities. The project includes advanced surveillance systems, communications equipment and infrastructure across 17,000 square meters, costing 424.8 million yuan funded by China. Previous similar facilities have been constructed under bilateral agreements.