China renews call for US and Iran to avoid further escalation

BEIJING: China on Wednesday again urged the United States and Iran to step back from further confrontation after a new exchange of military action between the two countries.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said Beijing was closely watching developments after the US launched fresh strikes on Iran and Tehran later announced retaliatory attacks on some American bases in the region. Lin told reporters that China was deeply worried by the latest situation and called on both sides to prevent further deterioration.

According to the US Central Command, American forces carried out air strikes on Tuesday against Iranian military targets after a US Army Apache helicopter was brought down on Monday. Early on Wednesday, Iran’s military headquarters said attacks had been launched on some US bases in the region in response to the American strikes in southern Iran.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the United States had chosen to test Tehran’s resolve. Against that backdrop, Lin appealed for restraint and for both sides to shift to diplomacy.

Lin said the parties should remain calm and avoid steps that could intensify the conflict.

He also urged Washington and Tehran to pursue political and diplomatic channels aimed at the early realisation of a comprehensive and lasting ceasefire.

China says military action cannot resolve the crisis

A day earlier, China had said the use of force by the United States, Israel and Iran had shown that military means could not settle disputes. Speaking in Beijing on Tuesday, Lin said the conflict involving the US, Israel and Iran, which he said had continued for more than three months, had badly affected countries in the Gulf.

He said military action had failed to solve underlying problems and warned that the arbitrary use of force would only make matters more complicated. Lin was responding to reports that Israel had violated the ceasefire in Lebanon despite pressure from Washington against further strikes.

Lin also said the Iran-US talks were at a critical stage and warned that no side should trigger renewed fighting. He called for respect for the sovereignty, security and territorial integrity of Middle Eastern countries.

Reiterating China’s position, Lin said all relevant parties should stay calm, show restraint, avoid confrontational actions that could worsen the conflict, take practical steps to lower tensions, resolve disputes through political and diplomatic means, and work towards an early, comprehensive and durable ceasefire.