Beijing, July 8 (SANA)China warned on Wednesday against renewed conflict between theUnited StatesandIran, saying further military escalation would serve neither side’s interests and urging both countries to resolve their differences through dialogue.

Speaking at a regular news briefing,ChineseForeign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said military action could not resolve the underlying issues between Washington and Tehran, according to AFP.

“Reigniting the war serves the interests of neither side. Military means cannot resolve the fundamental problems,” Mao said.

She called on the United States and Iran to implement their memorandum of understanding, settle disputes through dialogue and negotiation, and refrain from the use of force.

Earlier on Wednesday, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the Pakistan-mediated memorandum of understanding between Washington and Tehran, aimed at ending the conflict in the Middle East, had expired.

On Tuesday, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said U.S. forces had carried out a series of strikes against Iran in response to attacks on three commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, describing the operation as intended to inflict significant losses on Iranian forces.