China, Pakistan urge ceasefire, renewed US-Iran talks amid conflict

China and Pakistan on Friday called for an immediate ceasefire and the resumption of dialogue between the United States and Iran as military exchanges between the two countries continued to intensify, raising concerns over wider instability in the Middle East.According to China's Foreign Ministry, Beijing and Islamabad stressed the need to resolve the conflict through diplomacy and urged both sides to return to negotiations to prevent further escalation.The move comes as the US-Iran conflict entered a more dangerous phase following continued strikes by both sides and growing fears of disruptions to regional security and global energy supplies.

China and Pakistan called for an immediate ceasefire and a resumption of talks between the US and Iran, China’s foreign ministry said on Friday.

— Iran International English (@IranIntl_En) July 17, 2026

Earlier, seven people were killed in US airstrikes targeting bridges in the southern Iranian port city of Bandar Khamir, Iran's state news agency IRNA reported, citing the Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences.Bandar Khamir, located in Iran's Hormozgan province along the Persian Gulf, lies near key maritime trade routes and energy infrastructure, making it strategically significant. The reported deaths add to the growing civilian toll from the escalating conflict.

Iranian state news agency IRNA said on Friday that US attacks in several provinces overnight killed eight people and wounded 20.

IRNA said all eight deaths were in Hormozgan province, where it said six bridges in Khamir county were hit. It also reported one person was wounded in…

— Iran International English (@IranIntl_En) July 17, 2026

Meanwhile, the White House sought to reassure global markets over maritime security in the Gulf. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the Strait of Hormuz remains open for vessels that are not travelling to or from Iranian ports and that the US Navy continues to maintain a presence in the waterway to ensure safe passage for commercial shipping."The Strait of Hormuz is open for ships that are not traveling to or from Iranian ports, and the U.S. Navy remains there to ensure that can take place," Leavitt said.
US President Donald Trump also struck a confident tone while addressing the conflict, saying the United States was making significant progress."We are likewise winning big in Iran, and you will see the fruits of that labour very, very shortly," Trump said, while also referring to increased oil production.