*** China urges against escalation of Middle East war | THE DAILY TRIBUNE | KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN

China urges against escalation of Middle East war

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BEIJING: China declared on Wednesday that it is deeply concerned over the expanding conflict in the Middle East, strongly urging all relevant parties against further military escalation.

The diplomatic warning follows a new round of hostilities in which Washington carried out military strikes on Iran, a direct retaliation triggered by the downing of a United States helicopter.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian targeted the escalating situation during a regular news briefing, demanding that all sides exercise maximum restraint.

He emphasized that the involved nations must actively stop intensifying the conflict, remain calm, and take concrete operational measures to ease and cool down rising regional tensions. 

This newest round of severe tit-for-tat fighting marks the worst bout of conflict between Washington and Tehran since their April 8 ceasefire. The fresh violence has cast heavy public doubt over earlier claims that negotiations were in their final stages toward a peace deal.