China blames ‘illegal’ US-‘Israeli’ attacks for Hormuz disruption

China has accused the United States and ‘Israel’ of causing disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, saying their “illegal” military campaign against Iran is the “root cause” of instability in the vital global shipping route.

“The root cause for disruption in the Strait of Hormuz is illegal US-Israeli military operation against Iran,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told reporters in Beijing, calling for de-escalation to protect global energy supplies and trade.

Her remarks came in response to comments by Donald Trump, who urged countries dependent on oil shipments through the waterway to take responsibility for securing it.

“The countries of the world that do receive oil through the Hormuz Strait must take care of that passage… they must grab it and cherish it,” Trump said, suggesting that nations unable to secure fuel should instead purchase oil from the United States or “build up some delayed courage” and take control of the route.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most critical energy chokepoints, handling a significant portion of global oil and gas exports, particularly to Asian economies such as China.

Beijing said its vessels continue to transit the strait, noting that three Chinese ships recently passed through the waterway, which has effectively come under Iranian control since the start of the US-‘Israeli’ offensive on February 28.

The conflict has had far-reaching consequences across the region. Iran has responded to attacks with missile and drone strikes targeting ‘Israel’ and US-linked assets in countries including Jordan and Iraq, as well as Gulf states hosting US military facilities.

The ongoing hostilities have disrupted shipping, aviation, and global markets, while contributing to rising energy prices. Casualties have been reported on multiple sides, including US military personnel.

Amid the instability, China has taken steps to safeguard its domestic fuel supply. Authorities have instructed independent refiners, often referred to as “teapots”, to maintain processing levels and avoid reducing output despite rising crude costs.

The directive was issued by the National Development and Reform Commission, which warned that failure to comply could result in reduced import quotas. The move comes as China seeks to prevent fuel shortages and stabilize supply during the ongoing crisis.

Beijing has also curtailed refined fuel exports in recent weeks, prioritizing domestic needs as global uncertainty grows.