Tensions between Iran and Isreal have reached another boiling point, and now, former U.S. President Donald Trump is being accused of adding fuel to the fire. 

As Iran and Israel clash in one of their most explosive escalations in years, China is pointing fingers at Trump for intensifying the already fragile situation.

It all began with Israel’s surprise aerial offensive last week, targeting Iranian military sites and nuclear facilities. The operation, which left high-ranking Iranian military officers and nuclear scientists dead, marked a sharp turn in the long-standing, shadowy rivalry between the two nations. 

Among the dead were Iran’s army chief, Mohammad Bagheri, and Revolutionary Guards leader Hossein Salami, both key figures in Iran’s defense structure.

In response to the attacks, Trump made a bold statement on social media, warning people to “leave Tehran immediately.” The former president’s dramatic post has drawn strong criticism from the Chinese government, who accused him of worsening the already dangerous conflict.

According to a statement from China’s foreign ministry spokesperson, Guo Jiakun, Trump’s remarks are not only unhelpful but dangerous. “Fanning the flames, pouring oil, making threats and mounting pressure will not help to promote the de-escalation of the situation,” he said, adding that such behavior would only increase the risk of a larger war in the region.

China isn’t just talking, they’re taking action. The Chinese embassy in Tehran has started working with Iranian authorities to evacuate its citizens from the capital, issuing urgent advisories and logistical support for Chinese nationals living in Iran.

Meanwhile, the fallout continues. Iran has vowed a “harsh response” to the Israeli strikes, signaling that the region may be on the edge of a broader and more destructive conflict. With key military leaders dead and nuclear sites hit, the stakes have never been higher.

Trump, for his part, has maintained that Iran must return to the negotiating table. But with missiles flying and global powers now taking sides, it’s unclear whether diplomacy still has a seat at this table or if it has already been pushed off entirely.

The question remains, is this just another chapter in the Iran-Israel conflict, or the beginning of something far worse? And if China’s warning is anything to go by, words especially from influential leaders can be just as explosive as weapons.