Beijing:China has urged restraint and the avoidance of military escalation after the United States conducted strikes against Iran's Qeshm Island. Tehran, in response, has stated that the responsibility to avert further conflict now lies with the United States.

According to Anadolu Agency – English, China emphasized that military solutions are ineffective and only lead to further escalation. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning expressed hope that involved parties would prioritize peace, dialogue, and negotiation to restore stability in the Middle East and the Gulf region.

Mao's comments came in response to inquiries about potential US or Israeli military actions against Iran following the US midterm elections. She reiterated China's stance for peaceful resolutions and noted that Foreign Minister Wang Yi held discussions with officials from Saudi Arabia and Iran, advocating for dialogue to politically resolve the Middle Eastern conflict.

The US military described its recent actions on Qeshm Island as "defensive" strikes. Meanwhile, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf declared that Tehran had provided a "firm and rational" reply to the US, emphasizing that the decision to prevent further warfare now rests with Washington. Qalibaf, leading Iran's negotiations with the US, affirmed Iran's readiness for both diplomatic discussions and military engagement if necessary.