Paris: France has agreed to work with China to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East, Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said after a phone call with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi.

According to Anadolu Agency, a Foreign Ministry statement published on Monday indicated that Barrot attributed the escalation to the Iranian regime, citing its actions in the region and its refusal to comply with UN Security Council resolutions on its nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

Barrot also criticized Tehran's refusal to engage in multilateral negotiations and highlighted human rights violations during a crackdown on protests in January.

He further stated that the US-Israeli military operation was conducted without France's involvement or prior information. Barrot emphasized the importance of international institutions in resolving disputes and the necessity of using force responsibly.

Both France and China agreed on the importance of working towards de-escalation in cooperation with Gulf countries. They aim to seek a political settlement that ensures collective security interests, aligned with UN Security Council resolutions and international law.

Tensions have been high in the Middle East since Saturday when the US and Israel launched airstrikes on Iran, resulting in the death of the country's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and 786 others.

In response, Tehran launched drone and missile attacks targeting Israel and US-affiliated sites in Gulf countries, causing multiple fatalities, including the deaths of six US service members and injuries to many others.

The US-Israeli attack occurred amidst indirect nuclear negotiations between Tehran and Washington, mediated by Oman.