China’s Foreign Ministry has stepped up its criticism of attacks on commercial shipping as Iranian forces continue to target vessels operating in or near the Strait of Hormuz, conduit for as much as a quarter of global shipborne oil. “ China does not agree with the attacks on Gulf states and condemns all indiscriminate attacks on civilians and non‑military targets,” ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said during Friday's regular press briefing, without calling out Iran by name. Newsweek has