Beijing says US-Israeli strikes on Iran are the root cause of the key waterway’s blockage, as oil prices surge and regional attacks intensify.
WASHINGTON: China has declared US and Israeli military action against Iran as the fundamental cause of disruptions to navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. Foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning (pic) stated the illegal operations are the “root cause” of the strategic waterway’s blockage.
China called for an immediate halt to the conflict, asserting that military means cannot solve the problem. Mao urged all concerned parties to cease their military operations immediately.
The US embassy in Iraq issued a new warning of potential attacks in central Baghdad. It stated Iranian-aligned militia groups may intend to conduct assaults within the next 24 to 48 hours.
American citizens were again urged to leave Iraq immediately. This alert follows ongoing regional tensions and retaliatory threats.
Iran’s military command vowed to continue the war until it brings “humiliation, disgrace, permanent and certain regret, and surrender” to the US and Israel. The statement from the Khatam Al-Anbiya command was a response to former US President Donald Trump’s threats.
Trump had threatened to bomb Iran into the “Stone Ages” following earlier strikes.
Lebanese militant group Hezbollah claimed new attacks on northern Israel using drones and rockets. The group said it targeted Israeli troops and a village near the border.
Israeli air raid sirens were activated, though no casualties or damage were initially reported.
Israel’s military said its air defences responded to waves of Iranian missile fire. At least two attacks occurred after Trump delivered a public address about the war.
Police responded to several impact sites in central Israel after the first attack. Medics reported four people were lightly wounded.
Global oil prices spiked dramatically as the crisis deepened. Brent crude surged almost 7% to USD 108.15 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate jumped over 6% to USD 106.75.
Investors reacted to Trump’s threat of continued strikes and the unresolved closure of the Strait of Hormuz. The blockage has severely impacted global energy markets.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese questioned the war’s ongoing objectives. He stated the original aims regarding Iran had already been met.
“It is not clear what more needs to be achieved or what the end point looks like,” Albanese said in Canberra.
In a White House speech, Trump insisted the US was nearing victory in Iran. He vowed another two to three weeks of “extremely hard” strikes against the country.
“We are going to finish the job, and we’re going to finish it very fast,” Trump said.
The United Arab Emirates defence ministry said its air defences were responding to missile and drone threats. The UAE and other Gulf states have faced repeated Iranian strikes in retaliation for the US-Israeli campaign.
Iran dismissed the prospect of direct ceasefire talks with the United States. Foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei called Washington’s demands “maximalist and irrational.”
“Messages have been received through intermediaries, including Pakistan, but there is no direct negotiation with the US,” Baqaei stated.