Beijing: China on Monday reiterated its calls on the US to end its blockade and sanctions on Cuba. Beijing "urges the US to immediately stop blockade, sanctions and all forms of pressure and coercion against Cuba," Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning told reporters in Beijing.

According to Anadolu Agency, the statement came after US President Donald Trump remarked that Cuba was "next," amid the ongoing military operation against Iran. "Cuba is going to be next," Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One en route to Washington, DC.

Mao added that China "will continue to do what it can to provide assistance to Cuba." Trump's comment comes as the US and Israel air offensive against Iran entered the second month. The air strikes on Iran since late February have resulted in the deaths of over 1,400 people, including then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Tehran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf countries hosting US military assets. The ongoing conflict has led to the deaths of at least 13 US servicemen and hundreds of others wounded, along with damage to US military assets in the Middle East.