China voices concern over US seizure of Iranian cargo ship

BEIJING: China has expressed concern over the “forced interception” by the US of an Iranian-flagged cargo ship, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Monday, urging relevant parties to abide by the ceasefire agreement in a responsible manner.

“The situation in the Strait of Hormuz is sensitive and complicated,” said spokesman Guo Jiakun during a regular press briefing. Parties involved should avoid further escalation and “create the necessary conditions for normal transit through the Strait to resume,” he added.

The US earlier on Monday said it fired on and seized an Iranian cargo ship that tried to run its blockade of Iranian ports.

Iran’s president stresses importance of diplomacy while noting distrust of US

Iran’s military said the ship had been travelling from China and vowed retaliation against what it called “armed piracy by the US military.”