ISTANBUL

China on Friday reiterated its call against a spillover of conflict in the Middle East after drones struck Azerbaijan's autonomous exclave of Nakhchivan a day earlier.

“We are deeply concerned about the persistent tensions in the Middle East. The imperative at this moment is to immediately stop military actions, prevent the conflict from spreading and spilling over, and avoid any further escalation,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told reporters in Beijing.

Mao was responding to questions regarding Thursday's Iranian drone attack that hit an airport in Azerbaijan, according to the Beijing-based daily Global Times.

Azerbaijan's authorities said Thursday that drones launched from Iran struck the country's autonomous exclave of Nakhchivan, injuring four people and damaging infrastructure.

The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry said one drone hit the terminal building at Nakhchivan International Airport while another fell near a school in the village of Shakarabad.

Tensions in the Middle East are high as Israel and the US continue their large-scale strikes on Iran for the seventh day.

Iranian authorities say nearly 1,000 people have been killed in the attacks, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, several senior military officials, and dozens of school girls.

Iran has responded with drone and missile attacks targeting Israel and Gulf countries hosting US military assets.

China reiterates support to Iran

Mao further said China “opposes the military strikes against Iran by the US and Israel in violation of international law.”

Beijing “supports Iran in safeguarding its sovereignty, security, territorial integrity, and national dignity, and in defending its legitimate rights and interests,” said Mao, when asked “what kind of support China has provided to Iran politically or otherwise.”

On threats to energy supplies due to conflict in the region, Mao reiterated that the Strait of Hormuz and its adjacent waters were “vital international routes for trade in goods and energy.”

“Maintaining security and stability in this region serves the common interests of the international community,” she added.

“China urges all parties to immediately cease military actions, avoid further escalation of tensions, prevent regional turbulence, and avoid greater impacts on global economic development,” said Mao.

On tensions between the US and Spain, she said: “The international community should work together to promote peace, stop the war, and safeguard peace and stability in the Middle East."