BEIJING: China respects Iran’s “legitimate right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy,” a foreign ministry spokesperson said on Tuesday, while urging a stop to US military actions in favour of returning to talks and negotiations. US strikes on Iran “during ongoing negotiations … violate international law and basic principles of international relations,” ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said during a regular press briefing. Trump seeks to justify Iran war, but stated objectives shift “The Iran nuclear issue should eventually return to the track of political and diplomatic settlement,” Mao said.