Rubio Urges China to Pressure Iran Over Gulf Tensions
WASHINGTON: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said that the United States wants China to pressure Iran to change its stance regarding the ongoing Gulf crisis.
In an interview, Rubio said China should encourage Iran to step back from its current actions in the Gulf region, adding that it is in Beijing’s own interest to play a constructive role in resolving the crisis.
“China should persuade Iran to de-escalate the situation,” Rubio said. “It is in China’s interest to help resolve the crisis.”
The US secretary of state noted that Chinese commercial vessels are also facing difficulties in the Strait of Hormuz and that Beijing is being directly affected by the ongoing tensions.
Meanwhile, the US State Department said Washington and Beijing agree that no country should be allowed to impose taxes or restrictions on ships passing through the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.
The remarks come amid growing international concern over maritime security and the potential impact of regional instability on global trade and energy supplies.
