Conflict in the Middle East: Beijing calls on Washington and Tehran to take responsible action

Kinshasa, August 20^th, 2026 (CPA). – China has called on the United States and Iran on Thursday to take responsible measures in response to the conflict, stating that sanctions and pressure cannot help resolve this issue, following the US President’s announcement that he would launch “the most devastating economic operation” against Tehran, international media have reported. “The sanctions and pressure will not help resolve the Iranian issue. China calls on the parties concerned to adopt responsible measures and to resolve this issue through political and diplomatic means,” has declared Lin Jian, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry in charge of Foreign Affairs. Indeed, US President Donald Trump has threatened ‘severe’ economic measures against ‘any country’ that assists Iran in its war effort, following months of conflict. “I am announcing that any country that allows its financial institutions, companies, airports or government entities to provide any form of lifeline to Iran will itself face terrible economic repercussions,” has said the US President. “This is the most crushing economic operation ever undertaken, and it requires an end to oil smuggling, currency exchange (and) cash transfers,” has insisted Donald Trump. For his part, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has already threatened Iran with economic isolation “the likes of which the world has never seen”. It should be noted that following the US-Israeli attack on Iran on February 28th, Tehran has retaliated with strikes on neighbouring countries allied with Washington and blockaded the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic transit route for hydrocarbons. The United States, in turn, have imposed a blockade on Iranian ports. Despite a recent easing of hostilities, tensions in the region remain high as the conflict enters its sixth month.