China Points to US-Israel Actions as Root Cause of Hormuz Issues

China has stated that the “root cause” of disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz stems from what it calls the “illegal” joint military operation conducted by the United States and Israel against Iran. This assessment was made by Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning during a press briefing in Beijing on Thursday.

Response to Trump’s Comments

The remarks followed comments made by former US President Donald Trump, who suggested nations reliant on the Iran-controlled waterway should “just take it.” Trump stated that the US imports “almost no oil” through the Strait of Hormuz and urged other countries to “cherish” and “grab” the passage.

Escalation and Iranian Control

China, a major importer of energy from the Middle East, noted that three of its vessels recently transited the Strait of Hormuz. The waterway has been under effective Iranian control since the joint US-Israeli offensive began on February 28, resulting in over 1,340 casualties, including the then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Iranian Retaliation and Casualties

Iran has responded to the offensive with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf countries hosting US military assets. These attacks have caused casualties, infrastructure damage, and disruptions to global markets and aviation. At least 13 US military personnel have been killed, with dozens more wounded during the ongoing conflict.

Tehran continues to maintain control of the Strait of Hormuz, permitting passage for vessels from nations it considers “friendly.”

China Seeks to Maintain Domestic Fuel Supply

Directives to Independent Refiners

China’s state planner, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), has instructed independent refiners to maintain fuel output at levels consistent with the past two years. This directive, delivered during a meeting with refiners this week, aims to safeguard domestic fuel supply.

Potential Import Quota Impacts

Sources familiar with the matter indicate that failure to comply with the NDRC’s instructions could lead to reduced crude oil import quotas. China regulates oil imports by independent refiners through a quota system. These refiners operated at approximately 55 percent capacity in February and March, according to Energy Aspects.

Refined Fuel Export Halt

To proactively address a potential fuel shortage amid the Middle East conflict, China halted refined fuel exports last month, with these restrictions continuing into April.