BEIJING - China has urged an immediate end to the military operations and a return to dialogue and negotiation on the Iranian nuclear issue as soon as possible.

Mao Ning, spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, said this at a news briefing on Tuesday, a day after the head of the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said that there is no evidence Iran has been running a "structured" nuclear weapons program.

Beijing also urged all parties to immediately cease military actions, avoid escalation of tensions, safeguard the security of shipping routes in the Strait of Hormuz, and prevent greater impacts on the global economy.

Energy security is crucial to the global economy, and all parties share the responsibility to ensure stable and smooth energy supplies, added Mao.