China has squarely blamed the United States and Israel for recent chaos in one of the world’s most crucial shipping lanes, the Strait of Hormuz. Beijing said on Thursday that the two countries’ military strikes on Iran were the “root cause” of the ongoing blockage that has sparked international concern.
Speaking at a news conference in Beijing, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning directly accused Washington and Tel Aviv of disturbing regional peace through “illegal military operations against Iran.” Her comments came one day after U.S. President Donald Trump urged nations dependent on the strait for oil to “take care of that passage,” suggesting they should secure it on their own.
Mao Ning’s remarks highlight China’s growing alignment with Iran as Beijing seeks to position itself as a stabilizing force in the Middle East. “The key to ensuring safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz lies in respecting the sovereignty of regional countries and ceasing hostile actions,” Mao said, warning against escalation.
The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow stretch of water between Iran and Oman, is the world’s most vital oil chokepoint. Nearly one-fifth of global oil passes through it daily. Any disruption there sends shockwaves across energy markets and raises fears of a broader conflict in an already tense region.
As the U.S. and Israel continue to justify their strikes as measures to counter Iranian threats, China’s statement signals widening divisions among major powers. It also underscores the complex diplomacy surrounding global energy security, a fragile balance of power, politics, and petroleum that runs through the narrow strait now caught in crisis.
