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Energy Dependence Overview
Approximate energy dependency of Iran's exports to China
Primary Sources
Bessent Urges China To Persuade Iran To Open Strait Of Hormuz
Ships and boats in the Strait of Hormuz on May 4. May 04, 2026 07:30 CET As the US-Israeli war with Iran continues to impact and shape the region, journalists from RFE/RL deliver ongoing updates and analysis. Key Takeaways:The US has denied Iranian media reports that a US Navy frigate was hit by two missiles at the entrance to the Strait of Hormuz and forced to turn back after ignoring warnings.Iran had earlier warned that maritime activity in the strait must comply with its naval protocols or face enforcement action.The warning came after US President Donald Trump said he had ordered his forces to "guide" stranded neutral-country ships through the strait as a "humanitarian" gesture.Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baqaei has called on the United States to back away from its "excessive demands" so as to allow peace negotiations between the two countries to move forward.US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has urged China to contribute to diplomatic efforts to convince Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz. 17:43 Bessent Urges China To Persuade Iran To Open Strait Of Hormuz US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent (file photo) US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has urged China to contribute to diplomatic efforts to convince Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz, as President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, are scheduled to meet next week."China, let's see them step up with some diplomacy and get the Iranians to open the strait," Bessent said in an interview with Fox News on May 4, adding that Beijing was purchasing as much as 90 percent of Tehran's energy resources. "They are funding the largest state sponsor of terrorism."A day earlier, Trump announced that US forces will begin guiding stranded "neutral" ships out of restricted waters near the Strait of Hormuz. Iran reacted, warning that maritime activity in the waterway must comply with Tehran's naval protocols or face enforcement action.In the interview, Bessent said that Trump and Xi have been discussing the situation in Iran and plan to talk about it in person at their upcoming summit in Beijing on May 14–15. 14:52 CENTCOM Says 2 US-Flagged Vessels Transited The Hormuz Strait US Central Command, which oversees American forces in the Middle East, says two US-flagged vessels have "successfully transited through the Strait of Hormuz and are safely headed on their journey." 13:34 Situation In Hormuz Still 'Critical' Says Shipping Security Monitor The United Kingdom Maritime T...
US official says China is 'funding' Iran, urges Beijing to help open ...
Scott Bessent says US has ‘absolute control’ of Hormuz, but calls on China to ‘step up’ with diplomacy to reopen strait.United States Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has accused China of “funding the largest state sponsor of terrorism”, referring to Iran, saying that Beijing should help Washington in efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.Bessent’s blunt criticism of China’s relations with Iran on Monday comes ahead of US President Donald Trump’s expected visit to Beijing next week, where he is set to meet with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Iran warns US to stay out of Hormuz after Trump says US will ‘guide’ shipslist 2 of 3Iran war: What’s happening on day 66 as Trump announces Hormuz mission?list 3 of 3Trump’s ‘Project Freedom’: Can US navy ‘guide’ stuck ships out of Hormuz?end of list“Iran is the largest state sponsor of terrorism, and China has been buying 90 percent of their energy, so they are funding the largest state sponsor of terrorism,” Bessent told Fox News.Despite the accusation, the US official called on Beijing to join Washington in its campaign to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which has been blocked by Iran.“The attacks from Iran have closed the strait. We are reopening it. So I would urge the Chinese to join us in supporting this international operation,” Bessent said.Trump had announced on Sunday that the US would “guide” ships stranded in Hormuz out of the strait, warning Iran against interfering with the operation, dubbed “Project Freedom”.Bessent said the US is saying that the Iranians “do not have control” of Hormuz. “We have absolute control of the strait,” he added.Still, the secretary of the US Treasury suggested that China should use its leverage over Iran to help resolve the crisis. “Let’s see them step up with some diplomacy and get the Iranians to open the strait,” he said.Trump’s ‘maximum pressure’Bessent also noted that China and Russia have vetoed efforts to condemn the Iranian blockade of Hormuz at the United Nations Security Council.Beijing and Moscow had blocked a UN draft resolution over Hormuz earlier this month, saying that it was one-sided and only denounced Tehran without addressing the US and Israeli attacks on Iran.Chinese Ambassador Fu Cong said the draft “failed to capture the root causes and the full picture of the conflict in a comprehensive and balanced manner”.Since nixing the multilateral nuclear deal with Iran during his first term in 2018, Trump has been t...
U.S. aircraft carrier in Iran war expected to leave Middle East with ...
How Ukraine's demining robots could help U.S. open the Strait of Hormuz The Strait of Hormuz has remained almost entirely closed to ship traffic since Iran dropped mines across it in March.
China Seeks an Advantage With Both Trump and Iran as War Evolves
With President Trump's visit to Beijing looming, China is pushing Iran to negotiate even as its companies export material that could be used by Iran's military.
