China Pressures Iran for Safe Passage in Strait of Hormuz Amid Escalating Conflict

• China is urging Iran to ensure safe passage for crude oil and Qatari LNG vessels through the Strait of Hormuz as the US-Israel-Tehran conflict intensifies.
• The conflict has paralyzed the critical Strait of Hormuz, disrupting global energy flows and impacting the 1/5th of global oil and LNG supplies it handles.
• China, heavily reliant on Middle Eastern energy (45% of its crude imports via Hormuz), fears destabilization and threats to its energy security.
• Oil prices have surged over 15% since the conflict began, with shipping activity plummeting and approximately 300 oil tankers currently stranded.
• Vessels still transiting the strait, like the "China-owned" Iron Maiden, reportedly have strong ties to China or Iran, as Iran banned US, Israel, and EU ships but not Chinese ones.