BEIJING: China has renewed its call for the United States and Iran to immediately halt military operations and return to dialogue, warning that continued confrontation risks further destabilising an already volatile region.
Speaking at a regular press briefing on Thursday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said Beijing remained “gravely concerned” about the rapidly evolving situation and stressed that military action could not provide a lasting solution to the crisis.
“Military conflict will only escalate the situation,” Lin said, emphasising that the use of force would fail to address the underlying issues driving tensions between Washington and Tehran.
The Chinese official urged all parties involved to respect the sovereignty, security and territorial integrity of countries in the region and to avoid actions that could further inflame the conflict.
He called on the concerned sides to cease military operations, resume dialogue and negotiations, and support ongoing mediation efforts aimed at securing an early ceasefire.
According to Lin, China has remained actively engaged with relevant stakeholders, including Iran, since the outbreak of hostilities and has continued diplomatic efforts to promote peace and facilitate negotiations.
The latest appeal comes amid a sharp escalation in tensions between the United States and Iran, which have exchanged military strikes over the past two weeks.
Earlier on Thursday, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced that it had targeted 18 major US military sites in the Gulf region.
Tehran said the attacks were carried out in retaliation for recent US missile strikes that hit a recreational facility, an industrial complex and areas near Karaj and Nazarabad, west of Tehran, as well as a Revolutionary Guard installation in Pishva County.
China had issued a similar warning a day earlier following fresh US air strikes against Iranian military targets.
Lin reiterated Beijing’s deep concern over the deteriorating security environment after the US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that American forces had conducted air strikes on Iranian military positions.
On Wednesday, Washington said the operation was launched in response to the downing of a US Army Apache helicopter earlier this week.
In retaliation, Iran’s military command announced attacks on several US bases in the region, describing the strikes as a direct response to American military action inside Iran.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi subsequently accused Washington of testing Tehran’s resolve, signalling that the Islamic Republic would continue to defend its interests against what it views as external aggression.
Despite the exchange of attacks, China has continued to advocate restraint and diplomacy. Lin urged both sides to remain calm, avoid further escalation and take practical measures to reduce tensions.
He also called on Washington and Tehran to prioritise political and diplomatic channels in order to achieve a comprehensive, lasting ceasefire and prevent the conflict from expanding further across the Middle East.
China’s latest intervention underscores growing international concern that the confrontation between the United States and Iran could trigger wider regional instability unless urgent diplomatic efforts succeed in bringing both sides back to the negotiating table.
