Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated at a press conference that Beijing is closely monitoring the latest developments in the region.

  “An intensification of clashes benefits neither side, and military means cannot resolve the underlying issue,” the spokesperson noted.

  Mao urged the United States and Iran to abide by the memorandum of understanding signed by both parties.

  The spokesperson emphasized that both nations must resolve their disputes through dialogue and negotiation and avoid resorting to force.

  These statements came in response to the latest reports from US Central Command, according to which the United States completed a new round of strikes against Iran on July 8, hitting more than 80 targets.

  This new escalation jeopardizes a preliminary agreement to end the war in the Middle East and has pushed oil prices to their highest level in two weeks.

  Washington also revoked the lifting of sanctions on Iranian oil sales and bombed military sites in the Islamic Republic, after accusing Iran of attacking three ships in the Strait of Hormuz.

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