The Hormuz blockade is as much about China as Iran
Washington hopes that Beijing will convince Iran to soften its demands, but the latter may choose to wait and see
THE black market for Iranian oil would not exist without China. Before the Iran war began, Beijing bought 95 per cent of the crude Teheran shipped via a network of sanctioned tankers, mysterious traders and shadowy financial links.
Hence, US President Donald Trump is not just targeting Teheran with his blockade of the Strait of Hormuz – he is aiming at Beijing, too.
On Monday (Apr 13), the US said vessels in Iranian waters would be subject to “interception, diversion and capture”.
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