Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently took a stand against Iran’s threats to close the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial waterway for global oil transportation. He urged China, which heavily relies on Iranian oil, to intervene and discourage Iran from taking such drastic action.
Rubio’s comments came during an interview on Fox News, where he highlighted that China imports over 1.8 million barrels of oil from Iran daily. He explained that closing the Strait would be economically damaging not just for Iran, but for China and many other countries that depend on oil shipments through this route. He warned that if Iran were to follow through on its threats, it would be a significant escalation and could lead to a strong response from the U.S. and its allies.
The backdrop to Rubio’s remarks includes reports from Iran’s state media, which indicated that the Iranian Parliament had endorsed the idea of closing the Strait. However, the final decision rests with Iran’s Supreme National Security Council. Rubio expressed his hope that China would reach out to Iran to prevent any aggressive actions that could disrupt oil supplies.
The very next day, China responded to the situation by warning Iran against closing the Strait of Hormuz, emphasizing the importance of stability in the Persian Gulf for global trade. China stated that the waters surrounding the Gulf are critical trade routes and must remain open.
The Strait of Hormuz is vital for global energy supplies, with a significant portion of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas passing through it. In 2024, it was reported that 84% of crude oil and condensate, along with 83% of liquefied natural gas, that traveled through the Strait went to Asian markets, with China, India, Japan, and South Korea being the top recipients.
As tensions rise, the international community is closely watching how Iran, China, and the U.S. will respond to this unfolding situation.