China urges safety of Strait of Hormuz after Iran threatens to attack vessels

2026-03-04 - 09:02

China reiterated its demand for the protection of the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, stressing that safeguarding security in the vital waterway serves the common interest of the international community. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told reporters in Beijing that all parties should immediately cease military operations and prevent further escalation that could impact the global economy. Iran's Threat The Chinese appeal comes after Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps declared the Strait closed to transit Monday, with Brig. Gen. Ebrahim Jabbari warning that "we will attack and set ablaze any ship attempting to cross." The threat directly challenges one of the world's most critical energy chokepoints, through which approximately one-fifth of global oil consumption passes daily. Conflict Context Mao urged all sides to avoid causing greater turbulence as the US and Israel continue their military campaign against Iran launched Saturday, which has killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and 786 others, including scores of schoolgirls. Tehran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting US-linked sites across Gulf countries, with six American service members killed and many others wounded. The Strait closure threatens to disrupt global supply chains and energy markets already strained by the expanding conflict.