China urges all parties concerned to stay restrained, properly handle differences and prevent the escalation of tensions, Geng Shuang, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry said Tuesday at a press conference as tensions in the Middle East continue to rise.

His remarks came after U.S. President Donald Trump Monday declared to impose new sanctions on Iran, stepping up a policy of pressuring the nation's leaders and further squeezing the Iranian economy in retaliation for Iran's shooting down of a U.S. unmanned drone.

Read more:

President Trump announces new sanctions against Iran

Iran dismisses new U.S. sanctions, calls White House 'retarded'

Geng reiterated China's opposition to unilateral sanctions and the long-arm jurisdiction, adding that pressuring the other side will only escalate tensions rather than solving the problems.

He hoped that all parties concerned could resolve differences and conflicts through dialogue and negotiations under the principle of equality and mutual respect, and safeguard the peace and stability of the region together with other parties.

(Cover: Debris from a downed U.S. drone reportedly recovered within Iran's territorial waters and put on display by the Revolutionary Guard in the capital Tehran, June 21, 2019. /VCG Photo)