U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Sunday urged China to use its influence to deter Iran from closing the Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil shipping 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 in an interview with Fox News.
The strait, through which about one-fifth of global oil supply passes, is considered a potential flashpoint amid rising tensions. Analysts have warned that Iran might retaliate by attempting to block the waterway.
“If they do that, it would be economic suicide. We have options to respond,” Rubio warned. “And other countries would be hit even harder than we would. It would be a massive escalation that deserves a collective response.”
In response to the U.S. strikes, a senior advisor to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said U.S. military bases in the region would now be seen as “legitimate targets” for Iran’s armed forces.
It remains unclear whether Tehran will escalate or seek to de-escalate the conflict.
Meanwhile, China has joined Russia and several Arab states in condemning the U.S. strikes, warning they risk further inflaming tensions in the Middle East.
AFP
