Bloomberg: China is pressuring Iran over Strait of Hormuz



03/04/2026 6:06 AM


China is discreetly urging Iranian officials to refrain from actions that might hinder energy exports via the Strait of Hormuz, according to Bloomberg, which cites unnamed senior executives in the gas industry. The Chinese Foreign Ministry has formally requested guarantees for the safety of shipping in the strait.



Rita Willaert
"China calls on all sides to promptly halt military actions, prevent heightened tensions, and guarantee the safety of maritime activities in the Strait of Hormuz," stated Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning during a briefing on March 3, as reported by Bloomberg.

The Strait of Hormuz links the Persian Gulf to the Sea of Oman and is a crucial passage for international oil commerce, managing about 20% of the global oil and liquefied natural gas transport. According to Bloomberg, China, the leading global importer of oil and gas, is among the most susceptible nations due to the Middle East conflict—almost 50% of its crude oil imports passed through the Strait of Hormuz in December.

Sources from Bloomberg indicate that Chinese government representatives are urging high-ranking Iranian officials to stop Tehran from targeting oil and LNG tankers in the Strait of Hormuz. The Iranian side has been requested to refrain from targeting export centers like Qatar, which provides 30% of China's LNG, according to sources from the agency

source: bloomberg.com

 


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