China slams US military blockade of Strait of Hormuz as a 'dangerous and irresponsible move'

China has criticized the U.S. military blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, initiated on Monday after peace talks with Iran failed. A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson called the blockade a "dangerous and irresponsible move" that will escalate tensions and undermine the ceasefire. China urges all parties to honor the ceasefire agreement and de-escalate the situation to allow normal traffic through the Strait to resume. The U.S. Central Command announced the blockade, warning that unauthorized vessels will be intercepted. Iran has condemned the blockade as "piracy" and threatened to respond with force, potentially ending the ceasefire. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical waterway for global oil and gas transport.

Since the start of the war on Iran, 279 ships have passed through the Strait of Hormuz, with 22 being attacked. Recently, three tankers, including two sanctioned by the US, entered the Gulf via the strait, using a new route through Iranian territorial waters mandated by the IRGC. This follows the US Central Command's implementation of a naval blockade on maritime traffic to and from Iranian ports, in line with a presidential order. Iran has warned of potential retaliation by targeting ports in neighboring Gulf countries. The situation has created confusion for global shipping, as the US and Iran issue conflicting instructions for navigating the critical waterway, which normally handles one-fifth of the world's oil and gas shipments.

China has criticized the United States' potential blockade of Iranian ports, deeming it "irresponsible and dangerous." This statement follows US accusations of "economic terrorism" against Iran for disrupting traffic in the Strait of Hormuz. A Chinese foreign ministry spokesman urged all parties to adhere to ceasefire arrangements, prioritize dialogue, and restore normal traffic in the strait. The spokesman also refuted reports that China was preparing to deliver air defense systems to Iran, dismissing them as fabrications. He further stated that China would take countermeasures if the US imposed tariffs based on these accusations. The US had threatened tariffs on Chinese goods if military assistance was provided to Iran.

China has criticized the United States' blockade of Iranian ports, describing it as "dangerous and irresponsible." Foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun stated in Beijing on Tuesday that the US action risks escalating tensions, undermining the existing ceasefire, and jeopardizing navigation safety in the Strait of Hormuz. China urged all parties to adhere to the ceasefire agreement and prioritize dialogue to de-escalate the regional situation. They also called for the restoration of normal navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. The statement highlights China's concern over the potential destabilizing effects of the US blockade on regional stability and maritime security.