China Responds to Iran-Israel Exchange of Attacks
China has expressed that it is “very concerned” regarding the new attacks between Israel and Iran, as of Monday (8/6/2026). China also hopes that the ceasefire in the Middle East war will continue to be respected.
“Continuing hostilities is not in the interest of any party,” said Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Lin Jian during a press conference, as reported by AFP. “It is expected that all relevant parties will fulfil their commitments to the ceasefire,” he emphasised.
Previously, the Middle East has heated up again, with reports indicating that Iran and Israel have been launching attacks against one another. In the latest update on Monday afternoon, Israel launched missile attacks on several regions in Iran. This was in response to a barrage of missiles fired by Iran on Sunday towards Israel, following attacks in southern Lebanon, which Tehran considered a violation of the ceasefire.
The Israeli military stated that they had struck several targets within a petrochemical complex in Mahsharl, southwest Iran. Iranian media confirmed the reports, stating that Israel had attacked a petrochemical company in Mahsharl.
This escalation occurs as US President Donald Trump attempts to restrain Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as Israel accuses Tehran of committing a “huge mistake”. In an interview with Axios, Trump explained how he requested “Bibi” (Netanyahu’s nickname) not to retaliate. “I will call Bibi right now and tell him not to retaliate,” Trump said, as quoted by Axios journalist Barak Ravid. “Israel has carried out its attacks and Iran has carried out its attacks. We do not need any more attacks,” Trump reportedly said.
In a separate interview with Fox News, Trump also stated that he suggested Iran refrain from launching missiles, urging Iran to return to negotiations with the US. Previously, Iran insisted that any agreement to end the war permanently must also halt the parallel conflict in Lebanon, where Israel is conducting a campaign against the Iran-backed Hezbollah movement.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ali Safari told Al-Mayadeen television that Tehran’s attacks on Sunday occurred after weeks of restraint against Israeli aggression. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) described the attack as a “warning” following Israel’s attack on the southern outskirts of Beirut earlier that day, threatening broader attacks if aggression recurs.
Other Iranian attacks were also reported in the Kurdistan region of Iraq on Monday, with the Iranian government accusing armed Kurdish parties of serving Western or Israeli interests. Meanwhile, the Israeli military stated on Monday that they are working to intercept missiles launched from Yemen, with the pro-Israel group Houthi claiming responsibility for the attacks.
Furthermore, the Houthi group has announced the closure of the Red Sea for Israeli interests, increasing fears of a return to major disruptions in primary global trade routes. “We declare a comprehensive and total ban on Israeli maritime navigation in the Red Sea,” the Houthi armed forces stated. “We consider all enemy movements to be legitimate military targets for our armed forces from the moment this statement is issued.”
The Houthi group has been disrupting cargo ships in this vital sea lane during the Israel-Hamas war, forcing many companies to take much longer routes around the southern tip of Africa. Their threat emerges while the Strait of Hormuz, the gateway to the Persian Gulf and a key energy exporter, remains blockaded by Iran due to the Middle East war involving the US and Israel.