China urges US and Iran to show restraint following mutual attacks

Beijing (ANTARA) - The Chinese government has expressed concern over the rising tensions between the United States and Iran after both parties were once again involved in mutual attacks. “China is deeply concerned about the latest developments regarding Iran. The relevant parties need to remain calm and exercise restraint,” said Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian at a press conference in Beijing on Wednesday (10/6). Lin asked all parties to stop the escalation of confrontation and take concrete steps to de-escalate the situation. “We call on the parties to adhere to political and diplomatic means to resolve disputes and strive to achieve a comprehensive and lasting ceasefire as soon as possible,” he said. The US launched attacks on several areas in southern Iran in the early hours of Wednesday (10/6). Iranian media reported that a number of locations in Hormozgan Province were targeted in the attack. The Iranian Foreign Ministry stated that the Gulf states were responsible for preventing their territories from being used by the US as a base for attacks against Iran. Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei accused the US of repeatedly violating the ceasefire and hindering diplomatic efforts through shifting stances and constantly changing demands. He also accused Israel of hindering diplomacy through repeated ceasefire violations in Lebanon. Meanwhile, US Central Command (CENTCOM) stated that US forces had completed strikes against Iran in retaliation for an attack on an American Apache helicopter. US President Donald Trump previously said that an American AH-64 Apache helicopter that crashed off the coast of Oman had been shot down by Iran.