China Urges US and Iran to Hold Back After Attacking Each Other

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian (ANTARA/Desca Lidya Natalia)

JAKARTA - The Chinese government expressed concern over the increasing tensions between the United States and Iran after the two sides were again involved in mutual attacks.

"China is very concerned about the latest developments related to Iran. The parties concerned need to remain calm and refrain," said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian at a press conference in Beijing, Wednesday, June 10, reported by ANTARA.

Lin asked all parties to stop escalating the confrontation and take concrete steps to de-escalate the situation.

"We ask 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 an attack on a number of areas in southern Iran on Wednesday (10/6) morning. Iranian media reported that a number of locations in Hormozgan Province were targeted by the attack.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry stated that the Gulf countries are responsible for preventing their territory from being used by the US as a base for attacks against Iran.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei accused the US of repeatedly violating the ceasefire and hindering diplomatic efforts through changing attitudes and changing demands.

He also accused Israel of hindering diplomacy through repeated violations of the ceasefire in Lebanon.

Meanwhile, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said US forces had completed an attack on Iran in response to an attack on an American Apache helicopter.

US President Donald Trump earlier said an American AH-64 Apache helicopter that crashed off the coast of Oman was shot down by Iran.