US urges China to prevent Iran from shutting down Strait of Hormuz, key trade route
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged China on Sunday to help deter Iran from shutting down the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial trade route, following American strikes on Iranian nuclear sites.
'I encourage the Chinese government in Beijing to call them about that because they heavily depend on the Strait of Hormuz for their oil,' Rubio said on Fox News.
Analysts have said Iran may opt to retaliate to Washington's early Sunday attack by shutting the Strait, a waterway through which one-fifth of global oil output passes.
'If they do that, it will be another terrible mistake. It's economic suicide for them if they do it, and we retain options to deal with that,' Rubio added.
'But other countries should be looking at that as well, it would hurt other countries' economies a lot worse than ours. It would be, I think, a massive escalation that would merit a response. Not just by us but from others,' he said.
Meanwhile, Iran has threatened bases used by the US military, with an advisor to Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei saying they will be considered a 'legitimate target for our armed forces.'
However, it remains to be seen whether the US strikes will push Tehran to de-escalate the conflict or to widen it further.
China has joined Russia and a chorus of Arab states in condemning the US attacks, saying that they 'escalate tensions in the Middle East.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South China Morning Post
an hour ago
- South China Morning Post
China calls for de-escalation in Israel-Iran war, warns of risks to global economy
Beijing has urged the international community to step up efforts to de-escalate the conflict between Iran and Israel, warning that the fallout could damage the global economy as Tehran threatens to block the Strait of Hormuz – one of the world's most important shipping routes. A blockade of the strait, which handles roughly 20 per cent of global oil and gas flows, could dramatically push up oil and natural gas prices, risking a global energy and trade crisis, analysts said. Speaking at a regular press conference on Monday, China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun stressed the strategic importance of the Persian Gulf and its adjacent waters for the global trade in goods and energy. 'Maintaining security and stability in the region is in the common interests of the international community,' Guo said. Iran's parliament approved a measure to close the Strait of Hormuz after the United States launched military strikes on its nuclear facilities over the weekend. The final decision rests with the country's Supreme National Security Council and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei – but the move has already deepened fears for the global energy trade. Earlier, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio had called on China to use its diplomatic leverage to persuade Iran otherwise.
RTHK
an hour ago
- RTHK
Israel targets Tehran and Fordow in latest strikes
Israel targets Tehran and Fordow in latest strikes Iranians protest in Tehran against the US attack on nuclear sites. Photo: West Asia News Agency/Reuters Iran's underground enrichment site at Fordow was hit again on Monday while Iran fired a salvo of missiles and drones at Israel and warned the United States that its military now has a 'free hand' to attack American targets in the wake of the Trump administration's massive strikes on Iranian nuclear sites. The Fordow facility was one of those hit in Sunday's attack, and it was struck again on Monday, Iranian state television reported. There was no immediate word on damage nor who launched the attack, though Israel said earlier it was conducting airstrikes on Iran. In Vienna, the head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog said he expected there to be heavy damage at the Fordow facility already following the Sunday's US airstrike with sophisticated bunker-buster bombs. 'Given the explosive payload utilised... very significant damage... is expected to have occurred,' said Rafael Grossi, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency. With the strikes on Sunday on Iranian nuclear sites, the United States inserted itself into Israel's war, prompting fears of a wider regional conflict. Iran said the United States had crossed 'a very big red line' with its risky gambit to strike the three sites with missiles and 30,000-pound bunker-buster bombs . Israel said its defence systems were operating to intercept the latest Iranian threat, which apparently targeted the north and central areas of the country, and told people to head to shelters. Iran described the attack a new wave of its Operation 'True Promise 3,' saying it was targeting the Israeli cities of Haifa and Tel Aviv, according to Iranian state television. Explosions were also heard in Jerusalem. There were no immediate reports of damage. In Iran, witnesses reported Israeli airstrikes hit areas around Iran's capital, Tehran, around midday. They hit a power supply system in the Iranian capital, triggering outages in some areas around the city, Iranian media reported. The power distribution line in northern Tehran "was damaged, causing outages in some areas", Fars news agency reported. (AP)
RTHK
2 hours ago
- RTHK
War victory commemoration to begin in late August
War victory commemoration to begin in late August Eric Chan says the commemoration marking the 80th anniversary of the war's victory is a good opportunity for young people to learn more about Chinese history. Photo: RTHK Free screening of war movies and museum exhibitions will be part of local commemorative activities marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. The SAR government said on Monday that an official ceremony on September 3 at the City Hall Memorial Garden will be a large-scale event, highlighting the significance of the occasion. The commemorative activities will begin in late August and include thematic exhibitions jointly organised by the Hong Kong Museum of History and the Hong Kong Museum of the War of Resistance and Coastal Defence, together with their national and Guangdong counterparts. Film screenings, meanwhile, will be co-organised by the Hong Kong Film Archive and local museums. Chief Secretary Eric Chan, who heads a government working group on patriotic education, said it's a good opportunity for young people to learn more about Chinese history. "The country's road to prosperity is by no means easy. We need to let young people know how to cherish the harmony, stability and prosperity, and enhance their national identity and spirit," he told a press briefing after a meeting of the group. "Especially in the face of growing international hegemony, we must now educate young people so that they recognise what the international situation is, and learn from history." Chan also said the authorities will add war-related features to local heritage trails, to demonstrate Hong Kong's contributions in the war of resistance. The minister said different government departments will pay for the events. The convenor of the working group, Starry Lee, said civil groups are also encouraged to organise their own commemorative events in line with the correct view of history.
