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In brief
- China has criticised the US naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, while calling for a permanent ceasefire.
- US President Donald Trump hinted talks with Iran about ending the war in the Middle East could resume in the coming days.
China’s foreign ministry has criticized the United States for imposing a military blockade on the Strait of Hormuz, calling the action “dangerous and irresponsible.” According to Beijing, such measures are likely to heighten tensions and jeopardize a fragile ceasefire with Iran.
This statement follows an announcement by US President Donald Trump, who told the New York Post that peace negotiations with Iran might resume soon, potentially taking place in Pakistan.
Addressing these developments on Tuesday, Guo Jiakun, a spokesperson for China’s foreign ministry, emphasized that a comprehensive ceasefire is essential for achieving lasting peace. He condemned the US blockade, which was initiated after unsuccessful peace talks with Iran.
“The blockade will only intensify confrontation, escalate tension, and threaten the already delicate ceasefire,” Jiakun stated. “Moreover, it endangers safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz. Such actions are both dangerous and irresponsible.”
The US Central Command has reported that the blockade involves over 10,000 military personnel, more than a dozen warships, and numerous aircraft, and it took effect at midnight on Tuesday, Australian Eastern Standard Time.
“During the first 24 hours, no ships made it past the US blockade and 6 merchant vessels complied with direction from US forces to turn around to re-enter an Iranian port on the Gulf of Oman,” the command said in a statement.
“The blockade is being enforced impartially against vessels of all nations entering or departing Iranian ports and coastal areas, including all Iranian ports on the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman.
“US forces are supporting freedom of navigation for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz to and from non-Iranian ports.”
It comes as Trump said talks with Iran could resume in the next two days, according to an interview with the New York Post.
“You should stay there, really, because something could be happening over the next two days, and we’re more inclined to go there,” Trump told the newspaper.
Trump said Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, was doing a “great job” on the talks.
“He’s fantastic, and therefore it’s more likely that we go back there,” Trump said.
The initial round of talks over the weekend ended without an agreement on Iran’s nuclear ambitions, which the White House said was a central sticking point.
Reuters, citing an unnamed source involved in the talks, on Tuesday reported that Iran and the US could return to the Pakistani capital as early as the end of this week, and that a proposal had been shared with both sides to resend their delegations.
“No firm date has been set, with the delegations keeping Friday through Sunday open,” a senior Iranian source said.
— With reporting by the Associated Press.
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