China Urges Iran to Keep Hormuz Strait Open as Tensions Simmer

Beijing: China has pressed Iran to ensure the continued safety and openness of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route, as geopolitical tensions linked to the United States show little sign of easing.

The message was delivered by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi during a phone call with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi on Wednesday. The conversation marked Beijing’s first direct appeal since Tehran began tightening its grip on the narrow waterway, raising concerns about global energy flows.

The Strait of Hormuz, which lies between Iran and Oman, is one of the world’s most important oil transit routes, carrying roughly a fifth of global oil supplies. Any disruption there has immediate consequences for international markets, particularly for major importers like China.

Beijing’s intervention comes as diplomatic efforts gather pace to restart dialogue between Washington and Tehran. A delegation from Pakistan, led by filed marshal Asim Munir, has arrived in Tehran to explore the possibility of hosting a fresh round of negotiations between the US and Iran. The talks are expected to focus on contentious issues including Iran’s nuclear program and the status of maritime access through the strait.

Chinese officials described the current moment as a turning point, suggesting that the situation stands between escalation and a potential path toward de-escalation. While reiterating support for Iran’s sovereignty and security concerns, Wang emphasized that safeguarding international shipping lanes must remain a shared global responsibility.

Iran, for its part, signaled openness to continued engagement. Araghchi expressed hope that China could help facilitate a diplomatic breakthrough and indicated that Tehran is willing to pursue what he described as a pragmatic solution through dialogue.

Tensions have been heightened by a US-led blockade affecting Iranian oil exports, following earlier talks that failed to produce a breakthrough. China has previously criticized such measures, warning they could aggravate instability and threaten already fragile efforts to maintain calm in the region.

With global energy security at stake, attention is now focused on whether renewed diplomacy can prevent further disruption in one of the world’s most sensitive maritime corridors.