China urges dialogue after US, Iran trade strikes

In response to the latest exchange of attacks between the United States and Iran, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning called on both sides on Wednesday to resolve their disputes through dialogue and negotiations and to avoid resorting to force.

The US launched strikes against 80 Iranian targets, and in response, Iran's Islamic Revolution Guard Corps attacked 85 US military sites in Bahrain and Kuwait in a new round of escalation of regional tensions, Xinhua News Agency reported.

"We are closely monitoring the latest developments in the Middle East," Mao said at a daily news briefing in Beijing.

"We call on both the US and Iran to fully implement the memorandum of understanding they have already signed, resolve their disputes through dialogue and negotiations, and avoid resorting to force," she said.

Mao added that a resumption of armed conflict is not in the interest of either side, and that military means cannot resolve the fundamental issues.

zhangyunbi@chinadaily.com.cn