As an unprecedented Israeli attack on Iran last week sparks a spiraling conflict between the two enemy states, China has seen an opportunity to cast itself as potential peace broker – and an alternative voice to the United States.

China has called on Iran and Israel to immediately take steps to reduce rising tensions after a deadly exchange of missile strikes. The warning came after Tehran launched a barrage of missiles and drones toward Israel over the weekend.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun responded to several questions related to the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran on Monday press conference, emphasizing that Chinese side will continue to communicate with relevant parties,

China is suffering a "terrible loss" in the Middle East and could convince some other party to "strike us," according to Gatestone Institute's Gordon Chang.

China has issued advisories to its citizens in Israel and Iran of the "complex and severe" security situation in those countries on Friday, adding a warning to those in Israel to prepare for possible missile and drone attacks.

Israel and Iran have opened a new chapter in their long history of conflict. Israel launched a major attack with strikes early Friday that set off explosions in the Iranian capital of Tehran.

Russia is prepared to continue to work to resolve issues surrounding Iran's nuclear programme, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Israeli emergency services have said at least two people were killed in the strikes and dozens of people are injured.