"Spokesperson of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) Mao Ning during a regular press conference in Beijing on Wednesday, denounced the US threat to sever trade with Spain after Madrid refused to allow the US to use Spanish air bases to strike Iran. "The US-Israeli military strikes against Iran violate international law. Trade should not be used as a tool or weapon," she said. This comes after Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez condemned the joint US-Israeli military operations in Iran, calling them a violation of international law. Madrid barred the US from using military bases on its territory as part of the operation, insisting that it violates the United Nations (UN) charter. Stressing the vital importance of guaranteed safe passage of the Strait of Hormuz, the most critical energy route, through which almost 20 percent of global oil supplies pass, the MOFA spokesperson urged immediate de-escalation. "To keep the region secure and stable serves the common interests of the international community. China urges relevant parties to immediately stop military operations, avoid further escalation," she said. As the conflict between Washington and Tel Aviv on the one side and Tehran on the other escalated, Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced the oil and gas shipping waterway 'closed', warning that any ship attempting to pass through the Hormuz would be attacked by missiles or drones.  Mao noted that the Chinese government is making efforts to evacuate its citizens from the conflict zone, with 'another 470 or so Chinese citizens have been evacuated' after the hostilities erupted. The US and Israel attacked Iran on Saturday morning. Tehran said it was responding with strikes on Israel and US assets in the region, with explosions reported in countries right across the Gulf region. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was confirmed dead in a strike on Saturday. It comes after a number of rounds of talks between the US and Iran."