U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, amid escalating tensions in the Persian Gulf, has called on China to pressure the Iranian government to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The request came just hours after reports surfaced of a ship being seized near the UAE and directed toward Iranian waters.
Speaking to Fox News en route to China, Rubio stated that the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz harms the Chinese economy more than any other country, given Beijing’s heavy reliance on energy imports through this route and the export of goods to global markets. He added that the U.S. has raised this issue with Chinese officials and expects Beijing to play a more active role in the Security Council and through direct pressure on Tehran.
The Secretary of State also remarked that the Islamic Republic has attempted to use its missile and drone arsenal to create a form of “military immunity” for its nuclear program, intending to respond to any potential attack with widespread threats against regional countries.
Rubio’s comments coincide with an announcement on Thursday by the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), stating that “unauthorized persons” had taken control of a vessel 70 kilometers northeast of the UAE’s Port of Fujairah. The vessel is currently moving toward Iranian territorial waters.
