Qatar, China Urge Restraint Amid Iran-US Tensions
Doha/Beijing:Qatar and China have called for restraint and diplomacy asIran-US tensionsrise again following renewed military action in the Middle East. The latest escalation has increased fears that the. . .
Doha/Beijing:Qatar and China have called for restraint and diplomacy asIran-US tensionsrise again following renewed military action in the Middle East. The latest escalation has increased fears that the fragile ceasefire between Iran and the United States could collapse. The US launched new strikes on Iranian targets after Washington said Iran had attacked commercial ships in theStrait of Hormuz. Iran later targetedUS military sites in Bahrain and Kuwait, according to the Associated Press. Qatar has strongly condemned repeated Iranian missile and drone attacks on Bahrain and Kuwait. In an official statement,Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairsdescribed the attacks as violations of the sovereignty of bothGulf countriesand a breach of international law. The ministry said the region must be protected from the consequences of further attacks. It called for continued dialogue and diplomacy, lower tensions and progress under the memorandum of understanding aimed at improving regional and international security. Qatar also expressed fullsolidarity with Bahrain and Kuwaitand supported measures taken by both countries to protect their sovereignty and security. China has also repeatedly called for steps to reduce tensions in the Middle East. In an official Foreign Ministry briefing,Chinese spokesperson Mao Ningsaid the continuing conflict had caused deaths and damage, threatened regional security and stability, and affected the global economy and energy security. She said prolonging or escalating the conflict did not serve any party’s interests and urged all sides to support de-escalation and peace talks. Beijing has maintained that political dialogue and negotiations are necessary to reduce the risk of a wider regional conflict. This position is consistent withChina’s official callsfor de-escalation and peace efforts during the Iran conflict. The diplomatic appeals come as tensions between Washington and Tehran rise sharply again. According to AP, the United States carried out strikes inside Iran after attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran then launched attacks againstAmerican militarysites in Bahrain and Kuwait. US President Donald Trump has also said he believes the interim agreement with Iran is “over,” although he indicated that negotiations could continue. Reuters reported that the temporary agreement had created a 60-day period for efforts towards a longer-term settlement. The renewed exchange of attacks has increased concerns about a wider Middle East conflict and the future of diplomatic efforts involving regional mediators. Qatar has been involved in mediation efforts, while Pakistan also helped broker the interim US-Iran arrangement, according to Reuters and AP.