Beijing, April 24 (ANI) — China on Friday rejected US President Donald Trump’s suggestion that a recently seized Iranian-flagged cargo ship carried items that were “a gift from China,” saying the allegation is unsupported by evidence. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun told reporters the claim lacked proof and cautioned that growing geopolitical tensions should not be allowed to disrupt normal trade relations.
Guo reiterated Beijing’s position that China has fulfilled its international obligations and acted responsibly as a major power. He said China has repeatedly made its stance clear and stressed that it aims to be a model in meeting international responsibilities.
Trump, speaking on CNBC’s Squawk Box, said US forces had seized a ship carrying unspecified items that he suggested may have originated in China and might have been bound for Iran. He described the cargo as possibly a gift from China and said he was surprised given his relationship with President Xi. Trump also said US military stockpiles of ammunition and equipment had been replenished in recent weeks.
Separately, Iran’s UN ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani formally urged the United Nations to press the United States to immediately and unconditionally release the Iranian commercial vessel Touska along with its crew and their families. In a letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and to the Security Council president, Iravani voiced urgent concern about what he called ongoing violations of international law by the United States, including deliberate targeting of Iranian commercial vessels. He said US forces captured the Touska in the Sea of Oman near Iran’s coast and described the seizure as a hostile and unlawful act.
This report is based on a syndicated feed (ANI) and was published as received; the Tribune assumes no responsibility for its accuracy or completeness.
