Xu Yihe
Asia correspondent at Upstream
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Will China be able to influence Iran on Strait of Hormuz closure?

As tensions rise further in the Gulf following Iranian threats to close the Strait of Hormuz, how likely is China to act on US calls to rein in Tehran?

About 20% of global crude supply passed through the Strait of Hormuz in 2024, according to the EIA, with about 84% of that crude total, plus 83% of the LNG that transited the strait, heading to Asia and China the largest customer.
About 20% of global crude supply passed through the Strait of Hormuz in 2024, according to the EIA, with about 84% of that crude total, plus 83% of the LNG that transited the strait, heading to Asia and China the largest customer.Illustration: REUTERS/SCANPIX
Published 23 June 2025, 13:39Updated 23 June 2025, 13:39
IranUnited StatesChinaIsrael-Iran ConflictUpstream Analysis