China has called the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz a “dangerous and irresponsible act” that will further enflame tensions in the region.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Tuesday that the targeted blockade of the vital shipping channel, which began at 10:00 a.m. ET on Monday, coupled with an increase in U.S. military deployment, risks undermining an “already fragile ceasefire situation.”
Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun told a press conference that only a full ceasefire can help ease the situation, adding that Beijing would make efforts to help restore peace and stability in the Middle East.
China — which has long backed the regime in Tehran — has a key interest in the Strait being reopened, with Beijing being the largest buyer of Iranian crude. The blockade directly cuts off that supply and potentially has a far-reaching impact on the Chinese economy.
The U.S. began preventing ships from entering and exiting Iranian ports in the vital waterway on Monday in a bid to force Iran to reopen the waterway, after peace talks in Islamabad faltered over the weekend.
The measure marks a sharp escalation in the conflict despite a pause in hostilities agreed April 7.
The spokesman also dismissed reports of China supplying weapons to Islamic Republic as “completely made up.”
“China believes that only by achieving a comprehensive ceasefire and ending the war can we fundamentally create conditions for easing the situation in the strait,” he said in a statement.
“China urges all parties to abide by the ceasefire arrangements, focus on the general direction of dialogue and peace talks, take practical actions to promote the easing of the regional situation, and restore normal traffic in the strait as soon as possible.”
Oil prices retreated below $100 a barrel on Tuesday amid reports of diplomatic resolution to the six-week conflict. Brent crude, the international benchmark, was about 1% lower in early trade at $98.44, while prices of U.S. West Texas Intermediate for May delivery was 2.6% lower, at $96.48 per barrel.