China urges all parties to cease military operations and prevent further spread of the current conflict in the Middle East, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Monday.

Mao made the remarks after Iran retaliated by firing missiles and drones at U.S. military installations in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states and elsewhere following the U.S.-Israel attack on Iran and the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Saturday.

The United States and Israel launched military strikes against Iran without the authorization of the UN Security Council, which violates international law, Mao said at a regular news briefing.

"China expresses deep concern over the spillover effects of the conflict affecting neighboring countries," she said.

China believes that the sovereignty, security and territorial integrity of all Gulf countries should also be fully respected, she added.

China appreciates that the GCC extraordinary meeting of foreign ministers emphasized that dialogue and diplomacy are the only means to resolve the current crisis and safeguard regional security, she said.

Given the complex and sensitive regional situation, China supports regional countries in proceeding from the perspective of good-neighborliness and friendship, bolstering communication and coordination and collectively striving for peace and stability in the region, she noted.

Furthermore, she also noted that the Strait of Hormuz and its adjacent waters are important international trade channels for goods and energy, urging relevant parties to immediately stop military operations to prevent further escalation of tensions.

Previously, Iranian media reported that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps had closed the Strait of Hormuz to shipping, declaring the vital oil and gas waterway unsafe due to U.S. and Israeli attacks.

(With input from Xinhua)