Beijing Blames US and Israeli Strikes for Hormuz Blockade as Global Oil Prices Surge

Beijing identifies US and Israeli strikes as the root cause of the Hormuz closure while global oil prices hit US$100 following retaliatory attacks.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 2, 2026, 8:50 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from The Straits Times

The Geopolitical Blame Game Over Maritime Trade

China issued a sharp diplomatic rebuke on April 2, characterizing the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz as a direct consequence of illegal military actions. Foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning stated that the root cause of the current navigation crisis lies with the United States and Israeli strikes against Iranian targets, which prompted Tehran to retaliate by obstructing the vital passage. This statement serves as a formal rejection of Washington’s narrative, which has placed the onus on importing nations to secure the waterway through their own military means.

Trump Issues Mandate for Global Maritime Intervention

The diplomatic tension escalated following public comments from US President Donald Trump, who suggested that countries dependent on the strait for energy supplies should take direct control of the passage. In a move that has rattled international observers, the President urged affected nations to occupy and protect the route for their own utility. This rhetoric coincides with a period of declining domestic approval for the administration, as the ongoing conflict continues to exert significant pressure on global markets and American foreign policy objectives.

Economic Shockwaves and the Surge in Brent Crude

The physical blockage of the strait has triggered an aggressive rally in energy markets, with global oil prices climbing between 40 and 50 percent in a matter of weeks. Brent oil, the primary international benchmark, reached approximately US$100 per barrel following the initial military exchanges on February 28. This price volatility is directly linked to Iranian retaliatory strikes against oil infrastructure across several Gulf states, creating a high stakes environment for China, which remains the world’s largest purchaser of Iranian petroleum.