China on Monday reiterated its opposition to the use of force in regard to a reported threat of a possible military strike against Iran by Israel.

"We always oppose the use, or the threat of use, of force in handling state-to-state relations," Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said when asked to comment on reports alleging that Israel threatened military action against Iran last week.

A strike against Iran will only intensify the confrontation and push the region into greater turmoil, Hong said at a regular press briefing.

Dialogues and negotiation are the right approach to settling differences, he said.

(Xinhua News Agency February 20, 2012)