US Calls on China to Stop Iran’s Threat to Block Vital Oil Route
WASHINGTON, DC — The United States has urged China to pressure Iran to abandon plans to close the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic maritime route through which nearly 20 percent of the world’s oil supply flows.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio made the statement Sunday during an interview on Fox News. His remarks followed reports from Iran’s state-run Press TV that the Iranian parliament approved a proposal to close the Strait. However, the final decision remains with the country’s Supreme National Security Council.
“If they [Iran] close the Strait, it will be economic suicide for them,” Rubio stated. “We retain options to deal with that, but other countries should be looking at that as well. It would hurt other countries’ economies a lot worse than ours.”
The Strait of Hormuz, which lies between Oman and Iran, is a critical chokepoint for global energy exports. Most Gulf oil-producing countries, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait, rely on this passage to deliver crude to global markets.
The proposal to close the Strait emerged days after U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. In response, global oil prices surged. As of late Sunday, Brent crude had climbed to $78.89 per barrel its highest point in five months.
Market analysts warn that any disruption in the Strait could trigger an energy crisis. Saul Kavonic, an energy analyst, explained, “The U.S. has deployed overwhelming defensive assets in the region in preparation for possible Iranian retaliation. But the risk to oil prices is that the situation could escalate severely.”
China stands as Iran’s top oil customer, importing more than 1.8 million barrels per day last month, according to data from shipping analytics firm Vortexa. Other major Asian economies India, Japan, and South Korea also depend on crude transported through the Strait.
Energy expert Vandana Hari cautioned that Iran stands to lose more than it gains from any disruption. “Iran risks turning its Gulf neighbors into adversaries and alienating China, its key buyer, by choking off a route vital to their economies,” she said.
The Biden administration has not publicly detailed its potential response to any closure of the Strait. Still, U.S. defense officials have confirmed a heightened military posture in the Gulf region aimed at deterring hostile action.
For now, the region watches and waits. The world’s economic pulse, it seems, once again beats in time with the narrow waters of the Strait of Hormuz.
