China Urges US and Iran to Immediately Restore Security in the Strait of Hormuz
The Chinese government has urged the United States and Iran to immediately de-escalate tensions and maintain shipping stability in the Strait of Hormuz. The call comes in the wake of renewed mutual attacks between the two nations in the strategic international waterway.
Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian stressed the importance of restoring security to the maritime trade route for the global interest. Beijing also expressed its readiness to open lines of communication with the relevant parties.
"The Strait of Hormuz is a strait for international navigation. Resuming safe and free navigation in the Strait as soon as possible will benefit all parties," Lin Jian said at a press conference in Beijing on Monday (13/7).
"An appropriate resolution is needed to address issues related to navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. Concerns in the international community require an appropriate response," he added.
The escalation in the region peaked after US Central Command (CENTCOM) launched a massive strike on dozens of targets in Iranian territory. The operation was claimed as Washington’s effort to degrade Iran’s military capability, which frequently disrupts commercial shipping traffic.
In this operation, the Pentagon deployed a combination of fighter jets, warships, and drones. For the first time, the US also deployed one-way attack sea drones.
On the other side, Iran responded fiercely to the action. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) confirmed it had showered US military facilities in Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Jordan, and Oman with missiles. Iran asserted it would not open access to the Strait of Hormuz until the US withdraws from the region.
The renewed conflict dashed hopes for peace in the Middle East. On 18 June, Tehran and Washington had just signed a peace memorandum of understanding mediated by Pakistan. The agreement contained crucial points, including an immediate cessation of hostilities on all fronts, the lifting of the US naval blockade against Iran, and the full reopening of access to the Strait of Hormuz. However, the deal collapsed after both sides engaged in another exchange of fire on 7 July, triggered by a dispute over commercial shipping traffic in the Strait of Hormuz.