China’s “China Military Bugle” account released a PLA video on March 1 with the caption “Prepare For War At Any Time,” saying it showcased air-to-air dogfighting training involving fighter jets from the PLA Air Force and PLA Navy. The post landed as the Iran crisis escalated and as China, through UN envoy Fu Cong, criticized the use or threat of force at an emergency Security Council meeting and urged respect for Iran’s sovereignty and a return to diplomacy. Russia also issued sharp early condemnations, with Dmitry Medvedev alleging negotiations were a “cover” for strikes and other Russian messaging framing the attack as unprovoked aggression.
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