China has called the US naval blockade of Iranian ports 'irresponsible and dangerous'.
Beijing's foreign ministry stated the move would 'undermine the already fragile ceasefire agreement' and further jeopardize the safety of ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway Iran effectively closed in response to US-Israeli strikes.
The blockade came into force on Monday, a day after peace talks between the US and Iran broke down in Pakistan.
US President Donald Trump stated that the measure is aimed at forcing Iran to abandon its nuclear ambitions. Analysts suggest that the blockade is also designed to pressure China – the largest buyer of Iranian oil – to encourage Tehran to reopen the strait.
Iran's ambassador to the UN described the US blockade as a 'grave violation' of Tehran's sovereignty.
Until now, Chinese vessels have been among the few that managed to transit through the strait, although it remains unclear if they have been required to pay a toll to Iran.
The US blockade could potentially disrupt China's oil supply, leading to significant repercussions for its economy.
China believes that only by achieving a comprehensive ceasefire can conditions for alleviating the situation in the strait be met.
China urges all parties to adhere to ceasefire arrangements and focus on dialogue to restore normal traffic in the strait as soon as possible.
Reports suggesting that China was preparing to deliver new air defense systems to Iran have been denied by Guo Jiakun, a spokesperson for China's foreign ministry.
Trump has threatened a 50% tariff on Chinese goods if military assistance is provided to Tehran, reinforcing China's stance against U.S. sanctions.
This is part of a broader tension where US officials have accused Iran of 'economic terrorism' by blocking the Strait of Hormuz, while the US maintains that it will facilitate non-Iranian shipping through the strait.
Despite these tensions, shipping data indicates that several Iranian-linked ships managed to cross the strait recently.
