Summary Lin called on the warring sides to remain calm, exercise restraint, stop escalating tensions, take concrete actions to ease tensions
(AFP) - China has said it was “deeply concerned” over the conflict in the Middle East and urged against escalation after Washington carried out strikes on Iran over the downing of a US helicopter.
“Various relevant parties should maintain calm and exercise restraint, stop intensifying the conflict and escalating the situation, take concrete measures to ease and cool down tensions,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian tells a news briefing.
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said Tuesday that American forces launched air strikes against Iranian military targets in response to the downing of a US Army Apache helicopter on Monday.
Later, Iran’s military headquarters said early Wednesday that attacks had been launched on some US bases in the region in response to American strikes on southern Iran.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the US opted to test Tehran's determination.
However, Lin called on the warring sides to “remain calm, exercise restraint, stop escalating tensions, take concrete actions to ease tensions.”
Lin asked the US and Iran to use political and diplomatic means toward “early realization of a comprehensive and lasting ceasefire.”
