With the ceasefire between the United States and Iran nearing expiry and uncertainty lingering over whether talks might resume in Pakistan, Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said on Tuesday that the Middle East is at a critical juncture between war and peace, adding that a window for peace has opened and conditions should be created to end the conflict as soon as possible.

China supports relevant parties in continuing the ceasefire and keeping negotiations on track, Guo said.

He added that Beijing will continue to play a constructive role in easing tensions and working toward lasting peace and stability in the Middle East.

Separately, responding to allegations linking China to an Iranian-flagged ship intercepted by US forces over the weekend, Guo said that the vessel was a foreign container ship and that China opposes any malicious attempts to draw associations or sensationalize the issue.