China urges US and Iran to respect ceasefire commitments
Beijing - China has called on the United States, Iran and other relevant parties to respect the ceasefire commitment after the US launched fresh strikes on Monday (25 May).
‘We urge relevant parties to respect the ceasefire commitment, resolve disputes peacefully, and continue efforts to find solutions that accommodate all legitimate concerns through dialogue and negotiation, so peace can return to the Middle East and Gulf region as soon as possible,’ said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning at a press conference in Beijing on Tuesday.
The United States said on Monday (25 May) it had launched strikes ‘in self-defence’ in southern Iran targeting missile launchers and vessels suspected of laying sea mines.
US Central Command (CENTCOM) Captain Tim Hawkins told media: ‘US Central Command continues to protect our forces while exercising restraint during the ceasefire.’
‘Since the outbreak of the US-Israel war with Iran, China has maintained close communication with all relevant parties, including Iran, and has actively promoted ceasefire and peace,’ Mao added.
On Iran’s nuclear issue, Mao stated China always supports peaceful resolution through dialogue and negotiation.
‘We hope relevant parties will seize this opportunity to find solutions that address all legitimate concerns through negotiation,’ Mao said.
China will continue to play a constructive role in resolving Iran’s nuclear issue diplomatically to uphold the international non-proliferation regime and promote peace and stability in the Middle East and surrounding regions, Mao added.
Fox News, citing sources, reported that the US military destroyed two Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) ships and a surface-to-air missile system in the port city of Bandar Abbas, Iran.
Iranian media reported explosions in Bandar Abbas and surrounding areas of Sirik and Jask near the Gulf.
Semi-official Fars News Agency said residents in Bandar Abbas heard several explosions, though the exact sources and locations remain unclear. Fars also reported similar blast sounds in Sirik and Jask regions facing the Gulf.
Iranian Armed Forces spokesperson Abolfazl Shekarchi stated that any further US and Israeli attacks would be met with a ‘harsher’ and ‘stronger’ response.
‘If the region enters a new war phase, Iran’s response will extend beyond the region and be significantly more severe,’ Shekarchi said in a statement, as reported by Fars on Tuesday (26 May).
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) stated on Tuesday (26 May) it had deployed air defence systems, shot down an MQ-9 drone, and forced F-35 and RQ-4 drones to leave Iranian airspace.
This comes amid Pakistan-led mediation efforts to end the conflict that erupted following US-Israel strikes on Iran on 28 February and subsequent Iranian retaliation.
The ceasefire began on 8 April and was extended indefinitely by former US President Donald Trump.