China warned against a “cycle of retaliation” in the Middle East after the United States vowed to respond to a drone attack on its base in Jordan, AFP reports.

Sunday’s strike killed three American troops and wounded dozens of others. Washington blamed it on Iran-backed armed groups.

“We hope all relevant parties will remain calm and restrained […] in order to avoid falling into a vicious cycle of retaliation and prevent further escalation of regional tension,” foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said.