U.S. Calls on China: "Stop Iran"

“I encourage the Chinese government in Beijing to step in, because they rely heavily on oil transported through the Strait of Hormuz,” Rubio said in an interview with Fox News, as reported by Biznis.rs.

China is Iran’s largest oil customer and maintains close diplomatic ties with the Islamic Republic.

Earlier, Iran’s foreign minister warned that the country “retains all options to defend its sovereignty,” following U.S. airstrikes on three key nuclear facilities over the weekend.

Meanwhile, Iranian state media reported that the country’s parliament has backed a proposal to close the Strait of Hormuz, quoting a senior official. However, the final decision rests with Iran’s Supreme National Security Council.

A Strategic Chokepoint with Global Impact

Any attempt to block the narrow strait between Iran and Oman would have major repercussions for the global economy. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, approximately 20 million barrels of crude oil, about 20% of global daily consumption, passed through the strait last year.

Analysts at Goldman Sachs and Rapidan Energy have warned that oil prices could surpass $100 per barrel if the strait remains closed for an extended period.

However, JPMorgan analysts estimate the likelihood of such a closure as low, citing the risk that the U.S. would interpret the move as a declaration of war.