In a significant development, a member of the NATO alliance has sought assistance from China following a dispute with former US President Donald Trump.
Spain has made a plea to Chinese President Xi Jinping to play a crucial role in ending the conflict in Iran, emphasizing that Beijing holds a unique position to mediate and resolve conflicts not only in the Middle East but also globally.
During a visit to Beijing, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez expressed his belief that China stands as the sole superpower capable of facilitating peace in Iran, as well as in regions like Ukraine.
Sánchez remarked, “I struggle to identify other potential mediators besides China able to address the Iran situation and the challenges in the Strait of Hormuz.”
This move by Spain comes in the wake of Donald Trump’s threat to sever all trade relations with the country after Spain’s refusal to permit the US to utilize its military bases for attacks on Iran.
Earlier, the Spanish prime minister criticized the US and Israel for what he labeled as “unjustified, dangerous military actions” against Iran which violated international laws.
In response to the tensions, Trump disparaged Spain, announcing intentions to terminate all trade agreements and distancing from the country during a press conference at the White House on March 3.
Trump’s remarks further strained the already fragile relationship between the US and Spain, stemming from Spain’s reluctance to heed Trump’s calls for increased defense spending by NATO members.
In recent statements, Trump mentioned that China had committed to refraining from supplying arms to Iran and expressed contentment with US operations in the Strait of Hormuz.
On social media platform Truth Social, Trump wrote, “China is pleased with my decision to keep the Strait of Hormuz open permanently. This action benefits China and the world, ensuring such crises are averted.”
Xi Jinping highlighted the fragile state of the global order following Iran’s threat to block the Red Sea in response to the US blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, which began recently. The US military reported a lack of vessel traffic through the strait in the initial 24 hours of the blockade, with one ship observed turning back according to tracking data.
During discussions with Sánchez in Beijing, Xi Jinping remarked on the prevailing chaos in the world and the disarray of the international order.
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