China Warns US Over Hormuz Blockade, Says Don’t Interfere in Iran Ties

China, on Monday (April 13, 2026), warned the US against blocking maritime traffic out of the Strait of Hormuz, cautioning it not to meddle in its bilateral ties with Iran.

Chinese Defence Minister Admiral Dong Jun asserted that his nation would honour its trade and energy ties with Iran and that Chinese vessels would continue to operate in the Strait of Hormuz, warning against any external interference.

“Our ships are moving in and out of the waters of the Strait of Hormuz. We have trade and energy agreements with Iran. We will respect and honour those agreements and expect others not to interfere in our affairs,” Admiral Dong said.

Noting that the Strait of Hormuz was under Iran’s control, he said the narrow maritime passage was open for the Chinese vessels to pass through.

His assertion came after reports suggested that two oil and chemical tankers were forced to turn back after the US enforced a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz as part of its military operations against Iran.

Marine Traffic’s data showed one of the vessels, Rich Starry, reversed its course within minutes of the American blockade taking effect on Monday (April 13), though its destination was marked as a Chinese port.

The Strait of Hormuz is an extremely important waterway for China, as about 40% of its oil supplies and 30% of its Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) needs pass through it.

Maritime traffic disruption in the Strait of Hormuz hits the energy security of several Asian nations, including China and India, and it has significant implications for their economic progress.

Trump had announced over the weekend, after the Pakistan-mediated peace talks failed in Islamabad, that the US naval warships would enforce a blockade of cargo vessels entering and leaving the Iranian ports in the Gulf region.

“If any of these ships come anywhere close to our BLOCKADE, they will be immediately ELIMINATED, using the same system of kill that we use against the drug dealers on boats at Sea,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social.

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said the blockade would target all vessels entering or exiting Iranian ports. In a statement, CENTCOM added that the move would be “enforced impartially against vessels of all nations” using ports and coastal areas, including those along the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman.

China, earlier, called for unobstructed navigation through the Strait of Hormuz after Trump threatened a total blockade.

“Safeguarding the security, stability, and unimpeded passage in the Strait of Hormuz serves the common interests of the international community,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said on Monday (April 13) in response to a question on Trump’s blockade threat.

To another question on Trump’s tariff warning for China if the latter were found supplying arms to Iran, Guo said: “China’s position is very clear: tariff wars have no winners.”

Trump’s threat came at a crucial time, as he was preparing to visit Beijing for summit talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping soon.