STRAIT OF HORMUZ — United States Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent called on China to back a U.S.-led operation to reopen the Strait of Hormuz after Iran blocked the waterway. Speaking in a Fox News interview, Bessent said Beijing should pressure Tehran to lift the closure given its role as the largest buyer of Iranian energy.

"The attacks from Iran have closed the strait. We are reopening it. So I would urge the Chinese to join us in supporting this international operation," Bessent said. He also said, "Iran is the largest state sponsor of terrorism, and China has been buying 90 percent of their energy, so they are funding the largest state sponsor of terrorism."

He rejected the idea that Tehran retained authority over the waterway. "We have absolute control of the strait," Bessent said, adding that the Iranians do not control it. He urged Beijing to use its leverage with Tehran: "Let's see them step up with some diplomacy and get the Iranians to open the strait," he said.

President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. would guide ships stranded in the Strait of Hormuz out of the waterway under an operation called "Project Freedom" and warned Iran against interfering with the effort.

China and Russia vetoed efforts at the United Nations Security Council to condemn the Iranian blockade, blocking a draft resolution earlier this month. Beijing and Moscow said the text was one-sided and only denounced Tehran without addressing U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran. "The draft failed to capture the root causes and the full picture of the conflict in a comprehensive and balanced manner," Chinese Ambassador Fu Cong said.

The U.S. imposed sanctions on Chinese entities linked to the oil trade with Iran last week. Beijing said it does not recognize Washington's claimed jurisdiction over financial transactions in which it is not involved. "China opposes illicit unilateral sanctions that have no basis in international law," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said. He added, "We urge the US to stop willfully slapping sanctions and using long-arm jurisdiction. China will firmly defend the lawful rights and interests of Chinese companies."

Since withdrawing from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action in 2018, Trump has pursued a "maximum pressure" campaign of sanctions aimed at restricting Iran's energy exports. Under that agreement, Iran scaled back its nuclear programme under international supervision in exchange for the lifting of financial penalties. China continued to import Iranian oil after the accord collapsed.

The U.S. and China reached a preliminary trade deal late last year. The two governments have had disagreements on trade, Beijing's claims to the South China Sea, and the status of Taiwan. Trump is expected to visit Beijing next week to meet with Xi Jinping. "We've had great stability in the relationship, and again, that comes from the two leaders having great respect for each other," Bessent said.