China cautions of 'potentially explosive crisis' in Middle East following Trump's aggressive rhetoric

China cautioned on Monday that additional attacks on the Middle East could lead to an "uncontrollable situation" in the war-torn region, following US President Donald Trump's threat to "obliterate" Iran's power plants.

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This warning came after Trump issued a 48-hour deadline to Tehran on Saturday, demanding that it end its partial blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway through which approximately one-fifth of the world's oil flows.

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The ongoing conflict and its impact on the Strait of Hormuz have jeopardized global energy security and China's oil supplies, with Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian stating that "the use of force will only lead to a vicious cycle" during a news conference.

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Lin Jian further emphasized that if the war were to escalate and the situation deteriorate, the entire region could be plunged into an uncontrollable situation, highlighting the gravity of the situation.

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As a partner of Iran, which has been targeted by US-Israeli attacks since last month, Beijing has urged a ceasefire, although it has also expressed disapproval of Tehran's strikes against Gulf states housing US military bases.

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US President Donald Trump, who postponed his visit to Beijing this month to address the war's fallout, has called upon China and other nations to assist in reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

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While Beijing has yet to respond to this request, it has attempted to mediate in the Middle East by sending special envoy Zhai Jun on a regional tour to advocate for de-escalation.

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Earlier this month, Foreign Minister Wang Yi stated that the war "should never have happened" and appealed for an end to the fighting, underscoring China's commitment to resolving the crisis peacefully.