🇨🇳🇺🇲U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Sunday urged China to stop Iran from closing the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for the world’s oil trade🛢️🚧
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In an interview with Fox News, Rubio said, "I encourage the Chinese government in Beijing to talk to Iran, because they rely heavily on oil that passes through the Strait of Hormuz."
Earlier, Iran warned that it would use all options to defend its sovereignty after the U.S. attacked three major nuclear sites in the country.
Iran’s state media also reported that the Iranian parliament supports closing the Strait of Hormuz, although the final decision lies with Iran’s National Security Council.
The Strait of Hormuz is a very important trade route. In 2024, about 20 million barrels of oil passed through it each day — around 20% of the world's oil supply.
If Iran shuts it down, oil prices could rise above $100 per barrel for a long time.
Rubio said that closing the Strait would be “economic suicide” for Iran, which depends heavily on oil exports to China.
However, oil market analysts warned that the long-term risk to shipping through Hormuz could be worse than expected.
The U.S. Fifth Fleet, based in Bahrain, is tasked with protecting maritime trade in the Persian Gulf and is expected to act quickly if Iran tries to block the strait.
SC: CWID
