03 June,2026 09:26 AM IST | Washington | mid-day online correspondent
Marco Rubio. Pic/AFP
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said the United States has found no evidence that China has provided military assistance to Iran during the ongoing regional conflict, while urging Beijing to support international efforts aimed at ensuring the free flow of maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.
Rubio made the remarks during a hearing before the House Appropriations Subcommittee, where lawmakers questioned him about China's ties with Iran and whether Beijing had played any role during recent hostilities.
Addressing concerns over China's relationship with Tehran, Rubio said Washington had not observed any actions by Beijing that had hindered US military operations or altered the course of the conflict.
"China has not provided any assistance to Iran in any way that impeded our operations or ability to operate," Rubio told lawmakers.
He acknowledged that Iran possesses military equipment of Chinese origin and maintains long-standing diplomatic and economic ties with Beijing. However, Rubio stressed that there was no indication that China had recently provided support that changed the battlefield situation.
"We have seen no signs in the short term that anything they've been providing has in any way changed the dynamic on the battlefield," he said.
Rubio suggested that China has deliberately avoided becoming directly involved in the conflict despite its broader strategic partnership with Iran.
"I think they've been quite cautious about engaging themselves in it," he said.
His comments indicate that the US believes Beijing is attempting to balance its relationship with Tehran while avoiding actions that could further escalate tensions in the region.
While ruling out direct Chinese involvement in the conflict, Rubio urged Beijing to play a more constructive role at the United Nations regarding disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
The strategic waterway is one of the world's most important energy transit routes, carrying a significant share of global oil exports.
Rubio said the US is supporting a United Nations Security Council resolution aimed at addressing threats to maritime navigation in the region.
"If they are against the closure of the strait, they should be endorsing this or at a minimum abstaining and not using a veto," he said.
The Secretary argued that China has strong economic reasons to support efforts to maintain stability in the Gulf region.
According to Rubio, prolonged disruptions to shipping routes could eventually affect China's economy due to its dependence on international trade and imported energy supplies.
"As time goes on, the Chinese economy will begin to be negatively impacted by what the Iranians are doing," he said.
Rubio noted that rising fuel costs and disruptions in global trade could weaken consumer demand in export markets, ultimately affecting Chinese exports.
"For an export-driven economy like China, reduced purchasing power caused by higher energy costs will begin to have an impact on exports as well," he added.
Rubio also revealed that a vessel heading to China had recently been struck during the crisis, highlighting the growing risks facing commercial shipping in the region.
His remarks provide insight into Washington's current assessment of China's role in one of the world's most closely watched geopolitical flashpoints.
The situation remains significant for major Asian economies, including India and China, which rely heavily on energy imports transported through the Gulf. Any prolonged disruption in the Strait of Hormuz could lead to higher crude oil prices, increased shipping costs and broader supply chain challenges across the region.
(With inputs from IANS)
