The United States on Monday urged China to push Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, warning that Chinese purchases of Iranian oil effectively fund global terrorism. The demand came ahead of a planned meeting between President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing later this month.
According to a State Department spokesperson, the US has evidence that Iranian oil revenues are used to support militant groups designated as terrorist organizations by Washington. The Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments, has been partially blocked by Iranian forces since late April, disrupting international energy markets.
China, the world's largest importer of Iranian crude, has not publicly responded to the US warning. Analysts note that Beijing relies on Iranian oil for about 10% of its imports and has resisted previous US pressure to cut purchases. The Trump administration has intensified sanctions on Iran since 2018, aiming to reduce its oil exports to zero.
The US warning underscores growing tensions between Washington and Beijing over trade and security issues. The Strait of Hormuz crisis has already caused oil prices to spike, with Brent crude rising above $90 per barrel in recent days.
