US urges China to dissuade Iran from closing Strait of Hormuz
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US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said a move to close the Strait of Hormuz would be a massive escalation that would merit a response from the US and others.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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WASHINGTON – US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on June 22 called on China to encourage Iran to not shut down the Strait of Hormuz after Washington carried out strikes on Iranian nuclear sites.
Mr Rubio’s comments on Fox News’ Sunday Morning Futures with Maria Bartiromo show came after Iran’s Press TV reported that the Iranian Parliament approved a measure to close the Strait of Hormuz
“I encourage the Chinese government in Beijing to call them about that, because they heavily depend on the Straits of Hormuz for their oil,” said Mr Rubio, who also serves as national security adviser.
“If they do that, it will be another terrible mistake. It’s economic suicide for them if they do it. And we retain options to deal with that, but other countries should be looking at that as well. It would hurt other countries’ economies a lot worse than ours.”
Mr Rubio said a move to close the strait would be a massive escalation that would merit a response from the US and others.
The Chinese embassy in Washington did not immediately provide comment.
US officials said it “obliterated” Iran’s main nuclear sites
Tehran has vowed to defend itself. Mr Rubio on June 22 warned against retaliation, saying such an action would be “the worst mistake they’ve ever made”.
He added that the US is prepared to talk with Iran. REUTERS
