The statements of Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun in April 2026, Chinese diplomacy, shifted from its traditional language of restraint to a clear message of deterrence directed at those obstructing navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, particularly in light of the US-imposed naval blockade of the region. Dong Jun’s statements can be interpreted as a practical deterrent, not merely a political stance, for several reasons, most importantly the emphasis on China’s active protection of the Strait of Hormuz. The Chinese minister affirmed that Chinese ships would continue operating in the strait and would not accept any external guardianship over their relations. Furthermore, it constituted an implicit Chinese recognition of Iranian sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz. This can be analyzed in Dong Jun’s explicit reference to Iran’s control of the strait, considering it open to Chinese interests, a direct challenge to US pressure aimed at closing or controlling it. While the Chinese Defense Minister simultaneously emphasized the protection of China’s agreements with Tehran, most notably the 25-year Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement, he also affirmed China’s respect for energy and trade agreements with Tehran, warning against any interference in its affairs.
Current data indicates that the relationship between Chinese guarantees to Iran and the US strategy of a naval blockade of Iran and the Strait of Hormuz is a complex and escalating equation. Here, it does not appear that Chinese guarantees will necessarily compel Washington to back down. On the contrary, there are indications that the Trump administration may impose a naval blockade on the Strait of Hormuz while threatening China with major problems should it arm Iran. The details of the current strategic landscape regarding the situation in the Strait of Hormuz and the conflict between China and the United States in April 2026 reflect the extent of the rivalry between the superpowers, with Washington escalating its threats to tighten the naval blockade on Iran. Donald Trump hinted at imposing a US naval blockade on the Strait of Hormuz after Tehran effectively closed it.
As for the Chinese position on the reality of the US military escalation against Iran and the Strait of Hormuz, there are indeed American concerns about Chinese and Russian support for Iran, which has led to precision-guided missiles reaching targets in the region. China is monitoring the situation very carefully, and Washington considers the tightening of the noose around Iran to be part of a broader confrontation with Beijing. Regarding the risk of a confrontation between Washington and Beijing over the US naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, any US or Chinese counter-blockade could be considered a spark to war, potentially bringing the superpowers into direct conflict. This is especially true given China’s experience in implementing naval blockade scenarios in other regions, such as Taiwan, which exacerbates the geopolitical dilemma. China seeks to break the naval blockade imposed by Western alliances led by the US, making any US action against Iran interpreted in Beijing as part of an attempt to encircle it.
Here, Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun’s statements regarding bilateral relations with Tehran and protecting China’s interests in the Strait of Hormuz reflect the extent of China’s dependence on Iranian oil, perhaps even more so than on Gulf oil. China is the country most reliant on the Strait of Hormuz for its energy needs, purchasing more than 80% of its total oil imports from Iran (approximately 1.38 million barrels per day). While China’s dependence on Gulf oil is less pronounced, with approximately 40% of its oil imports and 30% of its liquefied natural gas (LNG) needs from the Gulf passing through the Strait of Hormuz, China’s stance on the US military escalation against Iran becomes clear. This heavy reliance on Iranian oil leads China to oppose any closure of the strait. However, China has also used its veto power against draft resolutions condemning Iran, such as the Bahraini draft resolution, which condemned only one party (Iran) without addressing the root causes of the conflict.
In this context, Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun’s statements and Chinese actions in the Strait of Hormuz represent the beginning of an indirect confrontation with the United States that extends beyond the economic sphere. This includes a direct Chinese challenge to the American blockade of Tehran, a firm Chinese response to the start of the American naval blockade of Iran in April 2026. Beijing is sending a direct warning to Washington, guaranteeing that the Strait of Hormuz will remain open to its interests. This also represents China’s exploitation of the American strategic vacuum in the region. Washington’s preoccupation with the Gulf provides Beijing with room to expand in other areas, such as the South China Sea and towards Taiwan. At the same time, China maintains an active diplomatic role, acting as an effective mediator (as in the ceasefire talks between Tehran and Washington) to demonstrate its ability to manage crises independently of American hegemony.
These Chinese moves against Washington constitute an internationalization of the crisis through the exertion of political and economic pressure on the United States. From my research and analytical perspective, we are perhaps witnessing a case of forced internationalization. China will not be content with economic pressure alone if its energy and oil supplies from Iran are threatened. China has officially confirmed, through its Defense Minister Dong Jun, its normal military presence in the Strait of Hormuz to secure its needs and interests. This was further emphasized by the Chinese Ministry of Defense’s assertions that its warships routinely operate in the region to guarantee supply chains. Simultaneously, China is calling for regional alliances to confront regional challenges and current unrest, urging the Gulf states to unite against foreign interference. This signifies an attempt to build a regional political front led by China. Furthermore, China has declared its readiness for all eventualities by announcing the bolstering of its strategic oil reserves to 1.2 billion barrels (enough for 109 days) to reduce its dependence on any immediate disruption to oil and energy supplies, thus granting it greater leverage in the political confrontation with Washington.
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Based on the preceding analysis, we can briefly understand that Chinese guarantees to Iran further complicate the situation and push Washington to escalate pressure tactics, such as the naval blockade, rather than review them, thus increasing the likelihood of a direct confrontation between the major powers in the Strait of Hormuz.