Iran's sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity should be respected, a spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Saturday in response to a media query about military strikes against Iran launched by the United States and Israel.
"China is highly concerned over the military strikes against Iran launched by the United States and Israel," the spokesperson said, noting that China calls for an immediate stop of the military actions.
"China calls for an immediate stop of the military actions, no further escalation of the tense situation, resumption of dialogue and negotiation, and efforts to uphold peace and stability in the Middle East," the spokesperson said.
The U.S. and Israel on Saturday launched what U.S. President Donald Trump called "major combat operations" against Iran, plunging the war-torn Middle East into a new round of violent conflicts.
Iran's sovereignty, security, territorial integrity should be respected: foreign ministry
Companies operating at Shahid Rajaee Port near Bandar Abbas, Iran -- including warehouse staff, shipowners, and freight forwarders -- fled the port after it was targeted in joint attacks by the United States and Israel on Saturday.
Black smoke was rising from a naval radar station and a warehouse of the Revolutionary Guard Corps naval base near the port at around 11:00, an overseas Chinese resident told China Global Television Network (CGTN).
The evacuation of businesses from the port has triggered traffic jams on roads leading to the city, according to the witness, with footage obtained by CGTN showing trucks, fuel tankers and cars crowding the roads.
The United States and Israel on Saturday launched strikes against Iran, plunging the war-torn Middle East into a new round of violent conflicts.
Iran retaliated with a series of counterattacks against Israel and U.S. targets across the region, with explosions reported in Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia, among other countries.
The latest flare-up came after the United States and Iran wrapped up their third round of indirect talks earlier this week and agreed to resume negotiations next week.
Businesses flee key Iranian port following attacks by US, Israel
