China Urges Return to Dialogue as Middle East and Gulf Tensions Reach Critical Juncture

AFP

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Monday that the situation in the Middle East and Gulf region had once again reached a critical juncture, urging all parties to return to dialogue and negotiations as soon as possible.

Wang made the remarks during a meeting with Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah in Beijing, according to a statement from China’s Foreign Ministry.

Wang said "the old script of recurring conflict should not be repeated" and the top priority is to de-escalate the situation.

He added that China was willing to strengthen ‌coordination ⁠with Kuwait and continue contributing to the restoration of peace and stability in the region.

The meeting came as the United States threatened Iran with what it described as the “greatest financial offensive ever”, targeting countries and companies trading with Tehran.

Iran rejected the U.S. threat and vowed to halt all oil exports from the Gulf “if the economic war continues”. Tehran also issued a fresh warning to shipping vessels, saying they must obtain its permission before passing through the Strait of Hormuz.



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