China and Brazil called on Tuesday for political and diplomatic efforts to ease tensions over the Iran situation and prevent further escalation, as Zhai Jun, the Chinese government's special envoy on the Middle East issue, met in Beijing with Ibrahim Abdul Hak Neto, diplomatic adviser to the president of Brazil.

Ibrahim said the Middle East is now facing heightened tensions and that every effort should be made to prevent the conflict from escalating and spilling over.

He said Brazil and China hold similar positions on issues, including the situation in Iran, and both believe that political and diplomatic means are the only correct way to resolve differences.

The diplomat said Brazil appreciates the five-point initiative proposed by China and Pakistan for restoring peace and stability in the Gulf and Middle East region, and is willing to work with China to support diplomatic efforts aimed at easing tensions and jointly safeguard the international order based on international law.

Zhai told Ibrahim that China is closely following the situation in the Middle East and believes the parties concerned should seize the opportunity for peace, move toward each other and find a solution through dialogue and negotiation.

China has always upheld an objective and impartial position, and actively promoted talks for peace, he said.

Zhai said China stands ready to maintain close coordination with Brazil to help build broader international consensus on bringing about a ceasefire and end to the conflict, and advancing a political settlement, so as to contribute to the early restoration of peace and stability in the Middle East.

The two sides also exchanged views on other regional hotspot issues, including Palestine and Lebanon.