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.

BEIJING: China's embassy in Israel on Tuesday (Jun 17) urged its citizens to leave the country "as soon as possible", after Israel and Iran traded heavy strikes. "The Chinese mission in Israel reminds Chinese nationals to leave the country as soon as possible via land border crossings,

Israel hasn’t attacked Iran’s energy export hubs so far. If it does, China could find itself cut off from a flow of cheap oil. Iran exports around 1.7 million barrels of crude a day, less than 2% of global demand.

Chinese commentators have said that Iran might have fared better against Israeli strikes if had been equipped with Chinese weaponry

Both countries have closed their airspaces, leaving few options for citizens of other countries seeking to leave.

If the U.S. entered the conflict between Iran and Israel, Tehran could target American military assets in the region, experts have told Newsweek.

The evacuation calls have heightened fears that the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel could spiral into a full-scale war.