China strongly calls on parties to the conflict in the Middle East to immediately stop military operations, return to dialogue and negotiation, and not continue the war that should not have happened in the first place, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Monday.

Spokesperson Lin Jian made the remarks at a daily press briefing in response to a query, after the US side threatened to "hit and obliterate" Iranian power plants if the Strait of Hormuz is not reopened within 48 hours.

Lin said the war raging in the Middle East is spreading and spilling over. If the fighting goes on expanding and the situation escalates again, the whole region will be plunged into an irreparable situation.

"Force will only lead to a vicious circle," said the spokesperson.