The United States is attempting to exert pressure on China through its allies, such as Venezuela and Iran, which places Iranian oil and energy supplies to China at serious risk, especially given the escalating conflict in the Strait of Hormuz and Iran’s threat to close it to global shipping. Following the situation on the ground in the Strait of Hormuz in March 2026, we find that shipping traffic through the strait was almost completely halted as a result of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard’s declaration of a blockade against ships in response to US and Israeli strikes. This crisis caused a significant surge in global energy prices and disrupted global supply chains, negatively impacting all countries in the region and China, given the disruption to global supply, production, and distribution networks.
Here, the picture appears extremely bleak and reflects a “geopolitical nightmare” scenario should the Iranian Revolutionary Guard completely close the Strait of Hormuz, a scenario that energy and economic experts have long warned against. Closing the Strait of Hormuz is not merely a regional crisis; it would be a catastrophic blow to global trade, as approximately 20% of the world’s oil consumption passes through it. Based on the field data up to March 2026, the situation can be analyzed as follows: The United States is attempting to “strangle the Chinese dragon.” Given that China is the largest importer of Iranian oil, through its “shadow fleet” and the Gulf states in general, halting shipping would mean that the American strategy of pressuring China’s allies has reached a direct confrontation, jeopardizing Chinese food and industrial security. This could be considered “mutual economic suicide.” While closing the Strait of Hormuz is an Iranian pressure tactic, it also cuts off Tehran’s lifeline. However, at this stage of the conflict, the “logic of deterrence” seems to have prevailed over the “logic of trade” for all parties.
Here, alternatives appear limited for everyone. There are no oil pipelines or alternative routes, such as pipelines through Saudi Arabia or the UAE, capable of handling the full volume of oil passing through the Iranian Strait of Hormuz, making the surge in energy prices uncontrollable. This will inevitably lead to the militarization of maritime navigation, especially after the (Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps) “IRGC” declared its intention to confront international fleets directly. This could transform the crisis from one of economic pressure into a full-blown regional war, potentially including the destruction of energy facilities on both sides of the Gulf. This situation presents China with two options: either aggressive diplomatic intervention to appease its allies or military involvement to protect its supplies, which could permanently alter the international landscape. Beijing may resort to one of these two scenarios: either China will eventually use its financial leverage to pressure Washington, or it will fully support Iran to the end, ensuring the depletion of American resources in a protracted conflict that will weaken Washington and its image in the Middle East and the world. With Chinese assistance, this would enable Iran to achieve a decisive military victory over Washington, Israel, and their allies worldwide.
For this reason, tensions escalated at the beginning of March 2026 in the Strait of Hormuz with the movement of Chinese naval units towards the region, amid a large-scale military confrontation between the United States and Israel on one side and Iran on the other. Regarding the details of the Chinese naval deployment towards the Iranian Strait of Hormuz to secure oil and energy supplies for China and to protect its interests and investments through the Belt and Road Initiative, this deployment involved the formation of the Chinese Naval Force. Beijing dispatched its 48th fleet from its base in Djibouti, which includes the advanced missile destroyer “Tangshan,” known militarily as “Type 052DL.” The frigate “Daqing,” known militarily as “Type 054A,” and the supply ship “Taihu.”
This Chinese naval deployment towards the Strait of Hormuz coincided with a number of joint exercises with Iran. Specifically, this deployment coincided with the launch of the “Maritime Security Belt 2026 exercises” in the Strait of Hormuz, with the participation of naval forces from China, Russia, and Iran. China’s strategic objectives in this extensive naval presence and activity in the Strait of Hormuz are to deter US and Israeli attacks. The physical presence of Chinese ships serves as a deterrent against any large-scale naval attack by the United States or Israel against Iranian targets, thus avoiding the risk of a global confrontation should Chinese vessels be accidentally hit. Furthermore, China is determined to secure its energy supply: this involves negotiating with Tehran to guarantee safe passage for Chinese oil and gas tankers, as approximately 30% of its oil imports pass through the Iranian-controlled Strait of Hormuz. To this end, all relevant Chinese intelligence agencies and the People’s Liberation Army’s intelligence and research centers act as “eyes and ears,” monitoring the movements of the US Fifth Fleet in real time, ready to halt its operations if necessary to protect Chinese interests and investments in the Strait of Hormuz and the region.
Hence the firm American reaction of rejection and warning against the Chinese naval presence in the Strait of Hormuz to secure its economic interests. The United States actively opposed these Chinese moves, which it considers support for the Iranian regime and an attempt to break Western hegemony over the oceans. The US threatened to intervene against China and Iran to “protect navigation,” with President “Trump” threatening to use the US Navy to escort commercial ships to ensure their safe passage. He also announced a $20 billion insurance program to revive shipping traffic, which had almost completely ceased in the strait. This coincided with continued military escalation, as Washington continued its combat operations against strategic and nuclear sites in Iran, warning that any Iranian attempt to close the Strait of Hormuz would be “economic suicide” requiring a decisive response.
