US urges China to pressure Iran over Gulf tensions

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said that Washington wants China to pressure Iran into reconsidering its stance on the ongoing Gulf crisis, amid growing concerns over tensions in the Strait of Hormuz.

In an interview, Rubio stated that Beijing should encourage Tehran to step back from its current actions in the Gulf region and play a constructive role in resolving the crisis. He stressed that helping ease tensions would also serve China’s own economic and strategic interests.

According to Rubio, China is directly affected by the situation because several Chinese commercial vessels are currently facing disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important maritime trade routes for oil and gas shipments.

The US secretary of state said that continued instability in the region threatens global trade flows and energy supplies, making international cooperation essential to prevent further escalation.

Xi calls for diplomacy during Trump meeting

Meanwhile, the US State Department said that both the United States and China agreed that no country should be allowed to impose taxes or restrictions on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz.

The remarks come at a time of heightened geopolitical uncertainty in the Middle East, with concerns over maritime security, oil exports and global energy prices continuing to rise. The Strait of Hormuz remains a strategically significant passageway through which a major portion of the world’s oil supply is transported.

Washington has repeatedly called for diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions in the region, while also urging major global powers, including China, to use their influence to encourage stability and dialogue with Iran.