Tensions Rise: US Urges China to Intervene in Iran's Strait of Hormuz Plans

In a recent statement, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged China to take action against Iran’s potential plans to close the Strait of Hormuz, which is a crucial shipping route for global oil. His remarks followed Iran’s parliamentary decision to discuss the closure of the Strait, a move that could have devastating effects on the global economy, particularly for oil prices, following recent US military actions against Iranian nuclear sites.

Rubio emphasized that China, being the largest buyer of Iranian oil, should exert its influence to prevent this escalation. He warned that closing the Strait would lead to economic suicide for Iran, as it would significantly disrupt the supply chain for around 20% of the world’s oil, leading to a spike in global oil prices.

The region has already seen fluctuations in oil prices, with Brent crude reaching $81.40 per barrel briefly after US strikes, only to settle around $78. Saul Kavonic, an energy expert, highlighted that the current US defense posture in the region is strong enough to deter Iranian aggression but warned of the risks of escalating tensions further.

Financial impacts are widespread; fluctuating oil prices affect everything from fuel costs to grocery bills. Other Asian economies—including India, Japan, and South Korea—also depend heavily on oil transported through the Strait.

Experts like Vandana Hari argue that Iran would stand to lose significantly by closing the Strait, potentially turning neighboring Gulf states against it while alienating China, its key oil market. The conflict intensified over the weekend as President Donald Trump announced that the US had significantly targeted Iran’s nuclear facilities, urging them to abandon their nuclear ambitions.

Following the airstrikes, China condemned US actions as damaging to Washington’s credibility and called for a ceasefire, with its UN Ambassador urging restraint from all involved parties. The editorial from China’s Global Times stated that US interventions have exacerbated instability in the Middle East and warned of an uncontrollable escalation of tensions.