US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has urged China to use its influence to stop Iran from closing the Strait of Hormuz, warning that any disruption to the vital waterway would have far-reaching consequences for the global economy.
Rubio’s comments followed reports by Iran’s state-run Press TV that lawmakers in Tehran had approved a preliminary plan to shut the strait through which roughly 20% of the world’s oil supply passes. However, final authority rests with Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, and no closure has yet been enacted.
“I encourage the Chinese government in Beijing to call them Iran about that, because they heavily depend on the Straits of Hormuz for their oil,” Rubio told Fox News on Sunday. “If they close the Strait, it will be economic suicide for them.”
The warning came as oil prices surged in the aftermath of US air and submarine strikes on Iranian nuclear sites over the weekend. Brent crude jumped to $78.89 a barrel late Sunday, its highest level since January, on fears of further instability in the Persian Gulf.
Energy markets are on edge over the possibility of Iran blocking or disrupting tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, which is used by major oil and gas exporters in the Middle East.
China, India, Japan, and South Korea all rely heavily on oil shipments that pass through the narrow passageway.
Beijing, which buys more oil from Iran than any other country an estimated 1.8 million barrels per day in recent months has responded cautiously but critically to the recent escalation.
On Monday, China’s UN Ambassador Fu Cong urged all parties to avoid “adding fuel to the fire,” and state media called for an immediate ceasefire.
Analysts say Iran may be reluctant to follow through on the closure threat, despite the inflammatory rhetoric. “Iran risks turning its oil and gas producing neighbours in the Gulf into enemies and invoking the ire of its key market China,” said Vandana Hari, CEO of Vanda Insights, in an interview.
“Iran has little to gain and too much to lose from disrupting the Strait,” Hari added, noting that Tehran’s fragile economy is heavily dependent on continued oil exports especially to China.
The head of energy research at MST Financial, Saul Kavonic, echoed those concerns, saying, “The US is now positioned with an overwhelming defence posture in the region, but the risk for oil prices is the situation could escalate severely further.”
The renewed crisis follows a US military strike that President Donald Trump described as having “obliterated” key Iranian nuclear enrichment facilities, including Fordo. However, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has said it cannot independently verify the extent of the damage. Iran insists only minor damage was inflicted.
Trump warned Tehran of “far worse” attacks if it refuses to abandon its nuclear ambitions, deepening fears of a broader regional war. Iran has yet to retaliate militarily, but officials in Tehran have hinted that economic measures such as closing the Strait remain on the table.
Meanwhile, Beijing’s Global Times accused Washington of “further complicating and destabilising the Middle East situation,” and warned that the conflict risked spiraling into an “uncontrollable state.”
Erizia Rubyjeana
Follow us on:
