China Blasts U.S. Hormuz Blockade as " Irresponsible"
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun, speaking at a regular press briefing in Beijing, warned that Washington's blockade would only "exacerbate tensions, undermine the already fragile ceasefire, and further threaten the safety of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz," according to Chinese media.
Guo stressed that Beijing considers a "comprehensive ceasefire" the only path capable of genuinely easing conditions in the strait, urging all involved parties to honor existing ceasefire commitments, prioritize diplomatic dialogue, and take tangible steps toward de-escalation — ultimately restoring "normal navigation" through the critical waterway at the earliest opportunity.
The remarks come days after Washington and Tehran held their most consequential direct talks since the two nations severed diplomatic ties in 1979. The discussions, convened over the weekend in Pakistan's capital, were part of wider international efforts to bring an end to the ongoing US-Israeli offensive against Iran — a conflict that has claimed more than 3,300 lives since February 28, before a fragile two-week ceasefire was brokered just last week. Despite the historic nature of the engagement, the talks yielded no breakthrough.
US President Donald Trump subsequently announced a naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, which entered into force at 1400 GMT on Monday. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif separately pledged on Monday to sustain diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving outstanding disputes between Washington and Tehran and advancing toward a lasting resolution to the conflict.
The confrontation took on an additional economic dimension when Guo addressed media reports alleging that Beijing had provided military assistance to Tehran. He characterized such reports as entirely "fabricated," while defending China's record, asserting that Beijing has consistently taken a "prudent and responsible approach" to arms exports and operates under stringent controls aligned with both domestic export legislation and its international obligations.
Guo also issued a pointed warning over Trump's threat — made Sunday — to slap a 50% tariff on Chinese goods in response to the alleged military support. "If the US insists on using this as a pretext to impose additional tariffs on China, China will resolutely take countermeasures," he said, signaling Beijing's readiness to escalate the trade standoff should Washington follow through.
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