Beijing cautions that US threats to attack Iran risk plunging the entire region into an uncontrollable situation, urging de-escalation

BEIJING: China has warned that further attacks on the Middle East risk creating an “uncontrollable situation” in the war-torn region. The statement followed US President Donald Trump’s threat to “obliterate” Iran’s power plants.

Trump issued Tehran a 48-hour deadline on Saturday to end its partial blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. The narrow waterway into the Gulf carries about one-fifth of the world’s oil.

The conflict threatens global energy security and China’s oil supplies. “The use of force will only lead to a vicious cycle,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian told a news conference.

“If the war expands further and the situation deteriorates again, the entire region could be plunged into an uncontrollable situation,” he said.

Beijing is a partner of Iran, which has faced US-Israeli attacks since last month. China has also stated it “does not go along” with Tehran’s strikes against Gulf states housing US bases and has urged a ceasefire.

Trump had called on China and other nations to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz. He delayed a planned visit to Beijing this month to deal with the war’s fallout.

Beijing has not yet answered that call but has sought to mediate. It sent special envoy Zhai Jun on a regional tour to urge de-escalation.

Foreign minister Wang Yi said earlier this month that the war “should never have happened”. He called for an immediate end to the fighting.

 The Sun Malaysia