The hostilities initiated by the United States and Israel against Iran continue, with violence spreading across the region, impacting the Gulf oil trade and international shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. It is imperative that the US and Israel, whose actions clearly violate the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter, immediately cease their aggression.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi had a series of telephone talks with his counterparts of different countries on Monday in which he stressed that countries must not be allowed to attack others at will, urging the international community to reject any act that violates international law to prevent the world from reverting to the law of the jungle.

Speaking with his counterparts from Iran, Oman and France, Wang called for an immediate ceasefire to avoid further escalation of tensions and prevent the conflict from spreading to the entire Middle East. As Wang stressed, all parties should make joint efforts to prevent further spillover of the conflict, avert an irreversible deterioration of the humanitarian situation and support Oman in continuing its mediation efforts.

The US-Israeli attacks on Iran and Iran's retaliatory strikes on Israel and US military bases in other Middle Eastern countries have resulted in a heavy loss of life, destruction of property and devastating consequences for international trade and global markets, as evidenced by the surge in oil prices and the retreat of equities. It is imperative that the hostilities end.

As Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said in reply to a question on the situation of the Strait of Hormuz, energy security is crucial to the global economy, and the countries concerned have a responsibility to ensure a stable and unimpeded energy supply. China urges all parties to safeguard the safety of navigation in the strait, and prevent further impact on the global economy.

But the situation remains in an escalating spiral, because the stated goal of the US and Israel is regime change in Iran. Iran will continue to retaliate strongly to calm domestic grief and seek vengeance for the assassination of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. This will lead to a protracted war that serves no party's interest.

Under these circumstances, China has urged both sides to return to the negotiating table to cease the hostilities through dialogue. This approach aligns with the international consensus that sustainable peace can only be achieved through dialogue and negotiation. China's call for restraint and dialogue reflects its commitment to maintaining peace and stability in the Middle East.

Washington should heed the calls and concerns of the international community and the widespread domestic opposition to its military action against Iran. Opinion polls conducted by Reuters and CNN indicate that the majority of US citizens polled oppose the US attacks on Iran. The lack of congressional authorization for the attacks, a legal requirement for the US to wage war, has also sparked domestic criticism.

History has repeatedly shown that war and aggression only lead to destruction and suffering. The current situation underscores the urgent need for all parties involved to exercise restraint and prioritize diplomatic engagement over military confrontation.

With US President Donald Trump warning that the war against Iran could go on for weeks, the potential for the situation to spiral out of control and spread further will only increase. The international community must recognize the gravity of the situation and work collectively to bring an end to the fighting, ensuring that the path forward is guided by responsible diplomacy, respect for sovereignty and adherence to international law.