
The US urges China to intervene as Iran threatens to close the Strait of Hormuz after American airstrikes. With 20% of global oil at stake, Washington warns of economic catastrophe and rising Middle East tensions.
The United States has issued a stark warning to China, urging it to pressure Iran not to close the Strait of Hormuz following Washington’s recent military strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. Speaking on Fox News’ “Sunday Morning Futures,” US Secretary of State and National Security Adviser Marco Rubio highlighted the strategic importance of the Strait, through which nearly 20% of the world’s oil and gas shipments pass.
Rubio’s comments come in the wake of an announcement by Iran’s Press TV that the Iranian parliament had approved a motion to shut down the waterway. “I encourage the Chinese government in Beijing to talk about it, because they are heavily dependent on the Strait of Hormuz for their oil,” Rubio said. He warned that any such action by Iran would be a “terrible mistake” and amount to “economic suicide,” not only for Iran but for the global economy. “We have options to deal with it, but other countries should look at it too. It is much more damaging to our economy,” he added, suggesting that China and others must play a role in de-escalating the crisis.
Rubio emphasized that closing the strait would be a major escalation requiring a decisive response from the United States and its allies. As of now, the Chinese embassy in Washington has not issued an official response to Rubio’s call for intervention.
The backdrop to this geopolitical tension is a dramatic US military operation in which 14 bunker-buster bombs, over two dozen Tomahawk missiles, and more than 125 warplanes were deployed to strike what officials described as Iran’s most critical nuclear infrastructure. These strikes have significantly heightened tensions in the Middle East, with both sides bracing for the next move.
In response, Iran has vowed to defend itself against what it considers a blatant act of aggression. However, the US has warned Tehran that any form of retaliation would be considered a catastrophic error. “Such action would be the worst mistake they have ever made,” Rubio stated, reinforcing the US’s preparedness to respond forcefully to any Iranian countermeasures.
Despite the fiery rhetoric, Rubio also left the door open for diplomacy, indicating that the United States remains ready to negotiate with Iran to prevent further escalation. The situation remains volatile, with the global community watching closely as the risk of a wider conflict and economic fallout looms large.