US officials say they want China to use its relationship with Iran to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route for global energy flows. In separate remarks reported by multiple outlets, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent accuses China of supporting Iran economically, saying Washington believes China is effectively “funding” Iran by buying most of its energy. Bessent also argues that the United States maintains a dominant role in the strait’s security, describing it as under US “absolute control.” Despite that, he calls on Beijing to “step up” diplomatically to encourage Iranian authorities to reopen the waterway.
Other reporting adds that senior Trump administration advisers, including US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, similarly urge China to leverage its ties with Tehran. Their stated rationale is that China’s engagement with Iran could align with Beijing’s own interests by helping restore access through the strait for international traffic. The accounts consistently frame the US position as seeking Chinese diplomatic pressure on Iran while continuing to stress US influence over the strait.
