Beijing ‘concerned’ as US marines seize Iranian vessel in Strait of Hormuz

WEB DESK: China has voiced formal concern over the boarding of an Iranian cargo ship by United States naval forces, urging both nations to exercise restraint and avoid a catastrophic escalation in the Strait of Hormuz.

The reaction from Beijing follows an announcement by US President Donald Trump that American forces intercepted and disabled the Iranian-flagged Touska after it allegedly attempted to breach a naval blockade in the Gulf of Oman. The vessel is currently being held in US custody.

Threat to global trade

Addressing reporters in Beijing on Monday, Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun emphasised the strategic importance of the waterway.

“The Strait of Hormuz is an important waterway for goods and trade globally, and keeping it safe and stable serves the interests of the international community,” Guo stated.

He expressed explicit concern regarding the use of force by the US military, noting that the USS Spruance, a guided-missile destroyer, reportedly intercepted the vessel after its crew ignored repeated warnings to halt.

China has called on both Washington and Tehran to “fulfil their obligations” and maintain the fragile stability of the region to ensure the continued flow of international commerce.

Race against the clock in Islamabad

The maritime confrontation comes at a precarious diplomatic juncture, with a Pakistan-mediated ceasefire set to expire at dawn this Wednesday.

Beijing has urged both parties to “maintain the momentum” of the current truce and seek a political resolution rather than a return to open hostilities.

The conflict, which began on 28 February following joint US and Israeli strikes, saw a temporary halt on 8 April. While high-level talks were hosted in Islamabad earlier this month, they ended without a definitive breakthrough.

Although President Trump has dispatched a negotiating team to Pakistan for a second round of discussions, Tehran has yet to formally confirm its participation, leaving the fate of the regional de-escalation effort hanging in the balance.