Beijing (Web Desk/Agencies): Beijing highlighted that the Strait of Hormuz remains a crucial global shipping route, noting that its security and smooth operation are in the interest of the wider international community.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun told reporters in Beijing that China was concerned over “the US taking the (Iranian) ship by force,” and urged restraint from all parties involved.
The comments came after US President Donald Trump stated that American naval forces had intercepted an Iranian-flagged cargo ship in the Gulf of Oman.
According to Trump, the vessel attempted to challenge a US naval blockade and was subsequently stopped and taken under control by US Marines.
He said the USS Spruance, a guided missile destroyer, intercepted the ship named Touska after repeated warnings to halt were ignored by its crew.
China called on Washington and Tehran to honour their ceasefire commitments and avoid actions that could lead to further escalation.
Guo stressed that both sides should work to maintain the truce, reduce tensions, and create conditions for the normal functioning of the strategic waterway, adding that diplomatic efforts should continue toward a political settlement.
The incident comes at a sensitive time as diplomatic efforts are being made to bring the United States and Iran back to the negotiating table in Pakistan. A Pakistan-mediated two-week ceasefire is due to expire early Wednesday, raising uncertainty over the next phase of the situation.
Iran had earlier announced that the Strait of Hormuz was open last Friday, but reportedly reversed that decision the following day after Trump said the blockade on Iranian ports would remain in place. The conflicting moves have added to the uncertainty in the region.
Tensions between the two sides stem from events that began on February 28, when the US and Israel launched military action against Iran, prompting retaliatory strikes from Tehran targeting US positions across the Middle East.
Fighting paused on April 8, after which Pakistan hosted high-level US-Iran talks on April 11-12, the first such engagement since 1979, although those discussions did not produce a breakthrough.
Trump has announced that a US delegation will travel to Pakistan on Monday for another round of talks with Iran, though Tehran has not yet confirmed whether it will participate in the upcoming discussions.