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.

Experts warn Israel must be cautious not to sully relations with the U.S. as China once again warms to the Jewish state

BEIJING: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, held a phone call with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi

The 10-member bloc, currently chaired by China, called Israel's “aggressive actions against civilian targets (in Iran), including energy and transport infrastructure, which have resulted in civilian casualties,

On the heels of Israel's strikes on Iran over its nuclear program, here's a look at which nations currently possess nuclear weapons.

AMANEY A. JAMAL is Co-Founder and Co-Principal Investigator at Arab Barometer, Dean of the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs, and Edwards S. Sanford Professor of Politics and International Affairs at Princeton University.