WANA (Apr 13) – China’s defense minister issued a blunt warning against any attempt to impose a naval blockade on Iran, stressing that Beijing will continue to use the Strait of Hormuz to maintain trade with Tehran.

 

According to international media reports, China’s Defense Minister Dong Jun, referring to trade and energy agreements between Beijing and Tehran, stated: “China has economic cooperation with Iran and expects other countries not to interfere in these relations.” He also emphasized that the Strait of Hormuz will remain open to Chinese vessels.

 

These remarks come in response to recent statements by U.S. President Donald Trump, who claimed that countries such as China and Japan “neither have the will nor the capability to keep the Strait of Hormuz open.”

 

In the same context, Mao Ning, spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, rejected these claims, stating: “The Strait of Hormuz was open before the conflicts began, and it was others who, by initiating war, restricted this route for the world.”

 

Earlier, China’s foreign minister had also warned that any move by the United States to blockade this strategic passage would violate international law and could jeopardize the stability of global energy markets.

 

Energy experts emphasize that the Strait of Hormuz is of vital importance to China, with around 40% of its oil and at least 30% of its liquefied natural gas imports passing through this route. This dependence has pushed Beijing to intensify diplomatic efforts aimed at securing a ceasefire and ensuring the safety of the passage.

 

Meanwhile, media reports suggest that a potential naval blockade of Iran may be aimed at preventing energy transactions in China’s yuan—an action seen as a challenge to the “petrodollar” system and a way to bypass U.S. sanctions.

 

At the same time, The Wall Street Journal has claimed that more than 15 warships have been deployed in the region to carry out the blockade, and that the operation officially began hours ago.

 

These developments come as Trump had previously announced, following the conclusion of talks with Pakistan, his plan to impose a naval blockade on Iran in the Strait of Hormuz—an action that could escalate tensions in one of the world’s most critical energy chokepoints to an unprecedented level.