China has called for restraint and dialogue after United States President Donald Trump said a large American military force is moving toward Iran, raising fresh concerns about rising tensions in the region.
Speaking in Beijing on Friday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said China hopes Iran will maintain national stability and urged all parties to value peace and resolve differences through dialogue. He emphasized the need for restraint and warned against actions that could further escalate the situation.
Trump made the remarks on Thursday while speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One as he traveled from Davos Switzerland to Washington. He said the United States was sending a major naval force toward Iran and described it as a large flotilla. Trump added that he would prefer to avoid any conflict but stressed that Washington is watching Iran very closely.
He reiterated that a massive fleet was heading in that direction and said it might not need to be used, leaving open the possibility of both de escalation and confrontation.
The comments come after a period of heightened tension earlier this month when widespread protests erupted across Iran and were met with a violent crackdown by authorities. During the peak of the unrest, Trump warned that the United States could take very strong action against Tehran. In recent days, however, tensions appeared to ease as protests subsided.
According to the United States based Human Rights Activists News Agency, the death toll from the protests has risen to five thousand and two. Iranian officials have accused Washington of backing what they describe as armed rioters who carried out attacks in public places, an allegation the United States denies.
China also responded to reports that Washington would allow Beijing to purchase Venezuelan oil under certain conditions. Guo said Venezuela is a sovereign country with the right to choose its own partners and manage its international cooperation independently.
Earlier this month, the Trump administration carried out a military operation in Caracas that resulted in the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicholas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores. The couple was flown to New York, where they remain in detention.
As the United States increases its military presence near Iran, China has positioned itself as a voice calling for calm, warning that further escalation could threaten regional stability and global security.
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