What China said about the US-Iran counterattack

China has expressed deep concern after the recent military confrontation between the US and Iran. At the same time, Beijing has called on all parties concerned to exercise restraint and not to further escalate tensions. “China is deeply concerned about the war situation between the US and Israel over Iran,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ling Jian said at a press conference on Wednesday (June 9).
“All parties concerned should remain calm and exercise restraint, refrain from escalating the conflict and further aggravating the situation. They should take practical and effective measures to reduce tensions.” China’s comments came at a time when the US has carried out airstrikes on various Iranian targets in response to the downing of a US Apache helicopter in the Strait of Hormuz.
The recent attacks and counterattacks have reignited tensions in the Middle East. There are also growing calls for increased diplomatic efforts by the international community to prevent the situation from deteriorating further. Meanwhile, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed to have retaliated by striking 21 military targets across the region, including US air and naval bases. At the same time, Iran has warned that any attack or threat against the country will be met with a retaliatory response.
In a statement released early this morning, the IRGC said that four important targets at Jordan’s Al Azraq air base were destroyed in the long-range missile strike. It claimed that the hangar housing the F-35 fighter jets and a command and control center were among them.
However, the Jordanian army said that five missiles fired from Iran towards the Al Azraq area were shot down by air defense systems. According to the army, although the missiles were destroyed, there was no loss of life or property damage due to their debris.
The IRGC also claimed that it had carried out a drone strike on the Ali Al Salem base in Kuwait, which it described as a response to the “US aggression”. The IRGC warned in a statement that its forces were fully prepared to respond “crushingly and decisively” to any new attack. At the same time, it warned that the US forces would be held responsible for the subsequent situation.
In another statement, the IRGC said it had shot down a US MQ-9 drone in the skies over the southern province of Bushehr. It also claimed that the drone strike targeted the US Fifth Fleet stationed in Bahrain.
According to the IRGC, the operation was carried out in response to recent US strikes in the areas of Jask, Sirik and Qeshm in southern Iran. It claimed that the US strikes damaged a telecommunications tower in Sirik and destroyed two water tanks in the Bamani area.
The IRGC said its navy carried out a drone strike against the US Fifth Fleet at around 2:30 am local time. “The conflict is still ongoing,” the statement said. It also warned of a harsher response if the attacks continue. Meanwhile, Kuwait’s military said its air defenses intercepted several “enemy” air targets early Wednesday. No further details were released.
In neighboring Bahrain, the interior ministry announced the sounding of warning sirens across the country. Meanwhile, in a post on social media early Wednesday following the US strike in southern Iran, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said, “We cannot remain silent about any attack or threat against Iran.” He said, “Despite the defeat on the battlefield, the US has decided to test our resolve.”
Araghchi added, “Our powerful armed forces will not remain silent about any attack or threat.” At the same time, he warned the US, “If you want to be safe, leave our territory.” He added, “The history of the Persian Gulf has many chapters of the terrible consequences of foreign intruders.”