China called on the United States and Iran on Tuesday to restore safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, as fighting between the two sides reignited over how the strategic waterway should be managed.
“Restoring normal and safe passage through the strait as soon as possible is a shared aspiration of the international community,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian told a news briefing, adding that Beijing would “make unremitting efforts to help de-escalate” the situation.
China’s call came after the UK Maritime Trade Operations agency said a tanker was struck by a missile off the coast of Oman, as Iran and the United States exchanged fire over control of the Strait of Hormuz.
“UKMTO has received a report of an incident 13NM southeast of Limah, Oman. A tanker has reported being hit by a missile while transiting outbound on the southern route. Authorities are investigating,” the British organization said in a statement.
In Bahrain, the Bahrain Defense Force announced that its air defense systems intercepted and destroyed several Iranian aerial attacks on Tuesday morning, accusing Tehran of continuing its “systematic hostile approach” and targeting civilians.
An AFP correspondent reported hearing explosions in Manama after air raid sirens sounded three times since dawn, while the Ministry of Defense urged citizens and residents to seek shelter in the nearest safe location.
Meanwhile, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard announced that it had targeted military logistics depots, a satellite communications center, and a residential building for US forces in Bahrain. (AFP)
