# US Requests China to Prevent Iran  from Closing Strait of Hormuz

> US Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged China to prevent Iran from closing the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil shipping route. Iran’s parliament approved a closure plan, but the final decision awaits the Supreme National Se…

Published: 2026-09-16 · Desk: Latest · Source: Ittefaq

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio urges China to prevent Iran from closing the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route.

Rubio’s remarks came after Iran’s state-run Press TV reported that the Iranian parliament had approved a plan to close the Strait, although the final decision rests with the Supreme National Security Council, according to the BBC.

Any disruption to oil supply through the Strait of Hormuz would have serious economic consequences worldwide. China, the largest buyer of Iranian oil, maintains a close relationship with Tehran.

Oil prices surged following a US strike on Iranian nuclear sites, with Brent crude reaching a five-month high.

In an interview with Fox News on Sunday, Rubio said, "I encourage the Chinese government in Beijing to speak with Iran, because they heavily depend on the Strait of Hormuz for their oil."

He warned, "If Iran closes the Strait, it would be economic suicide for them. The US has options to respond, but other countries should be concerned as well since it would hurt their economies far more than ours."

Approximately 20% of the world’s oil passes through the Strait, which is a vital route for major oil and gas producers in the Middle East to export energy.

Any disruption in the Strait’s operations could cause global oil prices to skyrocket.

On Monday, oil prices briefly jumped, with Brent crude rising to $81.40 a barrel before settling back to around $78—an increase of 1.4% for the day.

Saul Kavonic, head of energy research at MST Financial, said, "The US now has a strong defensive presence in the region to prepare for any Iranian counter-attacks. However, there is a significant risk that the situation could escalate, severely impacting oil prices."

Changes in crude oil prices affect the cost of everything from filling up vehicles to supermarket food prices.

China imported over 1.8 million barrels per day of Iranian oil last month, according to ship tracking firm Vortexa, making it Iran’s largest oil customer. Other major Asian economies such as India, Japan, and South Korea also heavily rely on oil passing through the Strait.

Energy analyst Vandana Hari stated that Iran "has little to gain and too much to lose" by closing the Strait, warning that such a move could alienate its Gulf neighbors and anger China, one of its key markets.

The US recently escalated the conflict between Iran and Israel, with President Donald Trump announcing that Washington had "obliterated" key Iranian nuclear sites. However, the extent of the damage remains unclear, as the UN nuclear watchdog said it was unable to assess the heavily fortified Fordo underground facility. Iran reported only minor damage.

Trump also threatened Iran with "far worse" attacks if it did not halt its nuclear program.

On Monday, China criticized the US strikes, stating they damaged Washington’s credibility and called for an immediate ceasefire.

China’s UN Ambassador Fu Cong urged all parties to restrain "the impulse of force... and adding fuel to the fire," according to state-run CCTV.

In an editorial, Beijing’s Global Times newspaper stated that US involvement has further complicated and destabilized the Middle East, pushing the conflict toward an "uncontrollable state."

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