China urges against escalation of Middle East war

Beijing on Wednesday said it was deeply concerned over the conflict in the Middle East and urged against escalation after Washington carried out strikes on Iran over the downing of a US helicopter. "Various relevant parties should maintain calm and exercise restraint, stop intensifying the conflict and escalating the situation, take concrete measures to ease and cool down tensions," Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian told a news briefing. It comes as Iran attacked American bases in Jordan and Bahrain on Wednesday, warning its Gulf neighbours that they had a responsibility to stop the United States and Israel from using their territory to strike the Islamic Republic. Earlier, the US carried out attacks on Iran in response to the downing of an American helicopter, straining a ceasefire that took effect in April. The exchange drew international calls for restraint on the eve of the World Cup, which the US is co-hosting and Iran is participating in. It has also cast doubt on US President Donald Trump's claim that negotiations on an enduring settlement to end the Middle East war were in their "final throes". (AFP) Edited by Aaron Tam