China has sharply criticized the United States' naval blockade of Iranian ports, labeling the move as "irresponsible and dangerous." Beijing's foreign ministry warned that the blockade threatens to undermine a fragile ceasefire agreement and further endangers maritime safety in the critical Strait of Hormuz.
"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," stated foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun. "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."
The blockade, which took effect on Monday, followed the collapse of peace talks between the US and Iran in Pakistan. US President Donald Trump has asserted that the measure aims to pressure Iran into abandoning its nuclear ambitions. Analysts suggest it also targets China, the largest importer of Iranian oil, to compel Tehran to reopen the strait.
In response to the blockade, Iran's UN ambassador has denounced it as a "grave violation" of sovereignty. Meanwhile, US Vice-President JD Vance accused Iran of "economic terrorism" over its own blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, which has involved attacks on vessels since last month. "If the Iranians are going to try to engage in economic terrorism, we're going to abide by the simple principle that no Iranian ships are getting out, either," Vance told Fox News.
The US strategy focuses on blockading Iran's Gulf ports from the Gulf of Oman and Indian Ocean, avoiding direct naval presence near Iran's coast. Despite this, shipping data indicates that at least four Iran-linked ships successfully traversed the strait on Tuesday.
Guo also dismissed reports of China preparing to deliver new air defense systems to Iran as "completely fabricated," responding to Trump's threat of imposing a 50% tariff on Chinese goods if military aid is provided to Tehran. "If the US insists on using this as an excuse to impose additional tariffs on China, China will definitely take resolute countermeasures," Guo warned.
Amid these tensions, oil prices dipped below $100 per barrel on Tuesday. The ceasefire between the US and Iran, implemented on April 8, remains precarious, with disputes over the Strait of Hormuz and Lebanon's inclusion in the agreement. Israel, asserting the truce applies only to Iran, has continued strikes against Hezbollah in Lebanon, with direct Lebanese-Israeli talks scheduled in the US—the first in decades.