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US urges China to stop Iran from closing Strait of Hormuz
The US government has urged China to use its influence to prevent Iran from closing the Strait of Hormuz, a vital maritime passage through which about 20 per cent of the world’s oil and gas shipments transit.
This appeal follows recent US airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, which have escalated tensions in the Middle East.
US Secretary of State and National Security Adviser Marco Rubio urged Beijing to intervene, highlighting China’s heavy reliance on the strait for its energy imports.
Speaking on Fox News, Rubio warned that any Iranian attempt to block the strait would be a “grave mistake” and “economic suicide” for Tehran. He stressed that such a move would represent a significant escalation, prompting a strong response from the US and its allies, while inflicting greater economic harm on other nations than on the US itself.
According to CNBC, Iran’s parliament has reportedly approved a measure to close the strait, although the final decision rests with the Supreme National Security Council.
The potential closure has raised global concerns about energy security and regional stability.
Lars Jensen, CEO and Founder of Vespucci Maritime, highlighted this nuance, noting that the parliamentary advice does not guarantee closure.
Jensen noted that the key issue for commercial shipping “is not whether or not vessels are attacked. The question is whether or not the risk itself is sufficient to cause a change in vessel deployment to reduce traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.”
A top European Union diplomat echoed this sentiment, calling any closure “extremely dangerous” and harmful to all sides, Reuters reported.
Disruption to the Strait of Hormuz could remove millions of barrels of oil from global markets, triggering widespread economic repercussions. As the situation develops, global markets remain alert to the possibility of supply disruptions and rising energy prices.
The ongoing Iran-Israel conflict has sharply increased shipping insurance costs for vessels in the Red Sea and Persian Gulf.
