China has strongly condemned the recent U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, calling the action a violation of international law and the principles of the United Nations Charter.
This marks Beijing’s first official reaction since the U.S. military targeted three key Iranian nuclear sites—Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan—as part of its intervention in the escalating Iran-Israel conflict.
In a terse four-sentence statement issued by the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Beijing accused Washington of intensifying tensions in the Middle East.
“The U.S. move seriously violates the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and international law and exacerbates tensions in the Middle East,” the ministry stated, while urging “all parties, especially Israel, to cease fire as soon as possible.”
China further reiterated its willingness to join diplomatic efforts to restore peace, signaling concern over a potential regional spiral.
Meanwhile, Chinese state media, including the Global Times, labeled the U.S. strikes a “dangerous turning point”, suggesting that they may push the Iran-Israel confrontation into an uncontrollable state of warfare.
Despite its criticism, China has stopped short of offering direct support to Iran, likely due to its own complex geopolitical interests. A significant factor at play is China’s dependence on the Strait of Hormuz, a vital maritime chokepoint through which nearly 20% of the world’s oil supply passes. Iran has often threatened to close the Strait in response to external aggression.
As the largest importer of Iranian oil, accounting for 47% of its seaborne crude, China faces a difficult balancing act. Any escalation that affects the Strait could disrupt China’s energy security, yet stronger support for Iran could attract additional U.S. sanctions, something Beijing appears keen to avoid amid existing trade tensions.
In response, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio publicly encouraged China to engage Tehran diplomatically and dissuade any moves to block the Strait of Hormuz, citing Beijing’s own interests.
“I encourage the Chinese government in Beijing to call them about that, because they heavily depend on the Strait of Hormuz for their oil,” Rubio said during an interview with Fox News.
As tensions rise in the Middle East, China’s response reflects its cautious diplomatic stance—balancing condemnation of U.S. military action with a desire to avoid deeper entanglement in a volatile conflict.
