The already fragile situation between the US and Iran has escalated quickly. As of this writing, the US military has carried out three rounds of airstrikes on Iran.
According to reports, starting at 5 a.m. Beijing time on June 10, the US military began striking multiple Iranian air defense and radar systems around the Strait of Hormuz, in retaliation for the downing of a US Apache helicopter the previous day.
Earlier, US President Donald Trump posted on social media that a US Apache helicopter had been “shot down by Iran.” While both crew members were safely rescued, he warned that the US “will certainly respond.” He also expressed belief that a deal with Iran could be reached soon.
That same morning, explosions were heard in parts of Hormozgan Province in southern Iran, including the provincial capital Bandar Abbas, as well as Sirik, Minab, and the largest island, Qeshm. Air defense systems were activated. Two water storage systems in the Bamani district of Sirik were hit, temporarily cutting off drinking water supplies to residents.
Iran’s Khatam al-Anbia Central Headquarters announced early today that, in response to US aggression in southern Iran, it has struck some US military bases in the region.
Foreign Minister Araghchi did not directly mention the incident on social media but noted that foreign forces stationed in the area risk being caught in accidents or crossfire.
It remains unclear why the US Army’s Apache attack helicopter crashed near the Strait of Hormuz. One US official revealed that the helicopter collided with an Iranian attack drone.
The Apache is a dedicated heavy attack helicopter developed by the US Army. Since entering service in 1986, it has been the backbone of US low-altitude ground attack missions. Throughout its service, the Apache has participated in nearly every major US ground war, including the Gulf War, the invasion of Panama, the Iraq War, the Afghanistan War, and most recently, military operations in the Strait of Hormuz.
The US-Iran situation is putting pressure on global trade arteries. Weeks ago, there were reports that a US-Iran peace framework included the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, but the deal has yet to be finalized.
Just yesterday, an apparent ceasefire between Israel and Iran had raised hopes of easing tensions in the Middle East. Now, the region is once again plunged into deep uncertainty.
On June 9, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian stated at a regular press conference that the US-Israel-Iran conflict, which has lasted over three months, has severely impacted Gulf states. Facts show that military solutions do not work, and resorting to force only complicates the problem.
Iran-US negotiations are at a critical juncture, and no party should reignite military conflict. The sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity of regional countries must be respected. China calls on all parties to remain calm and exercise restraint, stop actions that may escalate tensions, take concrete steps to de-escalate the situation, resolve disputes through political and diplomatic means, and achieve a comprehensive and lasting ceasefire as soon as possible.
This Monday, after returning to Washington from an NBA Finals game in New York, Trump said that if a peace deal is reached, the Strait of Hormuz will be reopened immediately. But if the conflict escalates into a full-scale war, it would have severe consequences for the global economy and energy markets, potentially closing the strait for months.
By Tuesday, he again stated that a deal could be signed within the next two to three days, claiming negotiations are in their “final stage.” However, media reports note that Trump has made similar claims at least 37 times. Much like his approach to trade disputes and the Russia-Ukraine conflict, “two weeks” has become his go-to vague timeline.
Market analysts are not optimistic about a short-term reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. HSBC warned that even if a ceasefire is reached, it does not mean the strait will be fully and unconditionally reopened. Even under a more moderate partial reopening scenario, traffic may only recover to about 60% by mid-2027.
