ISTANBUL

China on Monday reiterated its calls on the US to end its blockade and sanctions on Cuba.

Beijing “urges the US to immediately stop blockade, sanctions and all forms of pressure and coercion against Cuba,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning told reporters in Beijing.

The statement came after US President Donald Trump said Sunday that Cuba was "next" amid the ongoing military operation against Iran.

"Cuba is going to be next," Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One en route to Washington, DC.

Mao added China “will continue to do what it can to provide assistance to Cuba.”

Trump’s comment comes as the US and Israel air offensive against Iran entered the second month. The air strikes on Iran since late February have killed over 1,400 people, including then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Tehran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf countries hosting US military assets.

At least 13 US servicemen have been killed and hundreds of others wounded, besides damage to US military assets in the Middle East, in the ongoing conflict.