Beijing [China], April 24 (ANI): China on Friday dismissed US President Donald Trump’s allegation that an Iranian-flagged cargo vessel intercepted by US forces was “a gift from China,” saying the claim was not supported by evidence. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun told reporters the accusation lacked proof and warned that trade relations between countries should not be disrupted amid rising geopolitical tensions.
Guo reiterated Beijing’s stance that it has complied with international obligations and has acted responsibly as a major power. “China has made clear its position more than once. Let me reiterate that as a responsible major country, China has always been a role model in performing its due international obligations,” he said.
Trump had said in a CNBC Squawk Box interview that American forces recently seized a ship carrying unspecified items that he suggested may have come from China and been bound for Iran. “We caught a ship yesterday that had some things on it which wasn’t very nice – a gift from China, perhaps, I don’t know,” Trump said, adding he was surprised given his relationship with President Xi. He also stated that US military stockpiles of ammunition and equipment had been replenished in recent weeks.
Separately, Iran’s UN envoy, Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani, formally urged the United Nations to press the United States to immediately and unconditionally release the Iranian commercial vessel Touska, its crew and their families. In a letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and the Security Council president, Iravani raised “urgent concern” about what he described as ongoing violations of international law by the United States, including the deliberate targeting of Iranian commercial ships. He said US forces captured the Touska in the Sea of Oman near Iran’s coast and called the seizure a “hostile and unlawful act.” (ANI)
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