China has begun evacuating its citizens from Israel and Iran and was pushing for a ceasefire in the conflict between the two Middle Eastern foes on Tuesday as clashes carried into a fifth day.

China warned the Iran-Israel conflict may spread wider instability in the Middle East, with Foreign Minister Wang Yi reaching out to both countries as their days-old conflict shows no end in sight.

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,

China is "deeply worried" about Israel's military operation against Iran that has escalated tensions in the Middle East, President Xi Jinping said on Tuesday, in his first public comments on the conflict that erupted last Friday.

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

Iran noted that, instead of talking about Israel's aggression, the G7 accused Iran of being "the principal source of regional instability and terror" in the communique, and added "we have been consistently clear that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon".

Rising tensions in the Middle East will accelerate natural gas negotiations between Russia and China, with a decision likely this year, the head of a think-tank that advises the Russian government on China told Reuters.

The USS Nimitz and its carrier strike group are steaming west from the Pacific as part of an overall buildup of US military firepower

Asia-Pacific markets rose Monday, as investors assessed escalating Israel-Iran tensions, while awaiting a slew of data from China. Oil prices jumped as Israel and Iran exchanged strikes, while gold prices rallied, as investors sought refuge in the safe haven metal with equity markets sliding globally. The attacks continued over the weekend.