China has condemned the United States over its blockade of Iranian ports, describing Washington’s actions as “dangerous and irresponsible” amid soaring tensions in the Gulf.
US President Donald Trump ordered a naval blockade threatening to sink ships entering or leaving Iranian ports after weekend peace talks between Washington and Tehran collapsed. The blockade took effect at 1400 GMT on Monday, despite the two sides having agreed to a fragile two‑week ceasefire just days earlier.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said the US decision to increase military deployments and enforce a targeted blockade would only heighten tensions and undermine the already fragile ceasefire. He warned that the move further endangers safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway for global oil shipments.
Iran has effectively closed the strait to most traffic, allowing only vessels serving countries it regards as friendly, including China.
Analysts say Trump’s hardened stance is aimed at starving Iran of revenue and pressuring Beijing, Tehran’s biggest oil customer, to push Iran to reopen the strait. Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations has called the blockade a “grave violation” of the country’s sovereignty.
Speaking publicly about the war for the first time, Chinese President Xi Jinping said national sovereignty in the Middle East and Gulf must be respected. Hosting Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Beijing, Xi pledged that China would play a “constructive role” in promoting peace talks.
China also rejected US threats to impose new tariffs on Chinese goods over reports that Beijing is supplying or plans to supply weapons to Iran. Guo dismissed the allegations as “completely fabricated” and vowed that China would take “resolute countermeasures” if Washington used them as a pretext for additional tariffs.
Beijing is this week hosting a string of leaders from countries affected by the Middle East war, including Vietnam’s President To Lam, Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez. Xi told Sanchez that both China and Spain oppose any return to the “law of the jungle” in international relations and should work together to uphold justice and stability.
About the author
Influencer culture impacting music quality in Nigeria, says Zlatan Ibile
Afrobeats star Zlatan Ibile says the rise of influencer culture is reshaping Nigeria’s entertainment industry and affecting the overall quality of music being released. Speaking on the Afrobeats Podcast hosted by Shopsydoo, he noted that making music is no longer the preserve of professional artists, as skit makers, pranksters, TikTok creators and other social media influencers now record songs that quickly go viral. According to him, musicians once dominated celebrity culture, but influencers and content creators now share the spotlight and can turn almost any track into a hit through their online reach. “It used to be that artists were the celebrities, but now TikTokers, influencers, and content creators are celebrities. That is why you can see an influencer or skit maker drop a song and it blows up,” Zlatan said. He stressed that this shift helps explain why songs […]
My family once threatened to drag me online over money – Peller
Streamer and content creator Peller has revealed that his family once threatened to call him out on social media over money, despite the financial support he says he regularly gives them. Peller shared the experience during a livestream while reacting to the controversy surrounding fellow content creator GehGeh, whose younger sister recently accused him online of neglecting his siblings despite his wealth. He said his own family drama could be worse, claiming his father had previously warned he might take their issues to the internet. According to Peller, he has given his father significant assistance, including buying him a car, while also opening multiple shops for his mother. “You see the way all GehGeh family are dragging him online, my own goes worse. And it might be my daddy because they have threatened me with it before. And I have […]
Trump orders US Navy to destroy boats laying mines in Hormuz
President Donald Trump on Thursday ordered the United States Navy to destroy any boats found laying sea mines in the Strait of Hormuz, escalating pressure on Iran over control of the vital waterway. “I have ordered the United States Navy to shoot and kill any boat, small boats though they may be… that is putting mines in the waters of the Strait of Hormuz,” Trump wrote in a post cited by U.S. media. He added that there should be “no hesitation” in carrying out the directive. Trump also said U.S. mine‑sweeping operations were already under way. “Additionally, our mine ‘sweepers’ are clearing the Strait right now,” he stated, underscoring Washington’s determination to keep the strategic chokepoint open to international shipping. The Strait of Hormuz, which connects the Gulf to global markets, is one of the world’s most important energy corridors, […]
Spain’s Lamine Yamal sidelined with hamstring injury but expected to be fit for World Cup
Spain winger Lamine Yamal has suffered a hamstring injury but is still expected to be fit in time for this summer’s 2026 World Cup, Barcelona have confirmed. “Tests have confirmed that first team player Lamine Yamal has a hamstring injury in his left leg,” the club said in a statement on Thursday. Barca added that the teenager will undergo conservative treatment, will miss the rest of the season, but “is expected to be available for the World Cup,” which runs from 11 June to 19 July. Yamal picked up the injury in Barcelona’s 1–0 La Liga win over Celta Vigo on Wednesday. The 18 year old won and converted the decisive penalty but immediately pulled up in pain after scoring past goalkeeper Ionut Radu, calling for treatment and lying on the turf while team mates celebrated. He was replaced by […]
Osimhen: Ex sporting director backs De Laurentiis over rejected €200m PSG offer
Former Napoli sporting director Mauro Meluso says club president Aurelio De Laurentiis was right to reject a reported €200 million joint offer from Paris Saint Germain for Victor Osimhen and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in 2023. Speaking on Radio Kiss Kiss Napoli, Meluso explained that De Laurentiis did not want to weaken the squad immediately after winning the Scudetto and felt that selling both star forwards at once would have sent the wrong message to the dressing room and fans. “Should Osimhen and Kvara have been sold together to PSG immediately after their third Scudetto? At that point, De Laurentiis didn’t want to weaken Napoli,” he said, insisting the decision was taken for the good of the club rather than purely financial reasons. Meluso admitted that, with hindsight, some might argue the sale should have gone through, but maintained that offloading both […]
No FIFA plans to replace Iran with Italy at World Cup
FIFA has no plans to replace Iran with Italy at this summer’s World Cup despite a proposal from U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy Paolo Zampolli. Speculation over Iran’s participation had grown because of the ongoing war involving the U.S., Israel and Iran, but world football’s governing body has reaffirmed that Iran will take part as scheduled. Zampolli, an Italian‑American and long‑time Trump ally, told the Financial Times he had suggested to both Trump and FIFA president Gianni Infantino that four‑time champions Italy be invited to take Iran’s place at the U.S.‑hosted tournament. “I confirm I have suggested to Trump and Infantino that Italy replace Iran at the World Cup,” Zampolli said, describing it as a “dream” to see the Azzurri at a World Cup staged in the United States. Italy failed to qualify for a third straight World Cup […]
Related
Everest route blocked by massive glacier
A massive block of glacier is currently obstructing the main climbing route on Mount Everest, raising concerns as the peak climbing season begins in Nepal. Positioned just below Camp 1, the ice formation—known as a serac—stands about 30 meters high and has proven impossible to bypass safely. Teams of “icefall doctors,” responsible for securing ropes and ladders along the route, say there is no viable alternative path for now. Their only option is to wait for the ice to naturally weaken and collapse, which they hope will happen within days. This unexpected obstacle has delayed preparations significantly. By this time of year, routes are typically secured up to Camp 3, but work has stalled roughly 600 meters below Camp 1. The delay could compress the already short climbing window, increasing the risk of overcrowding as climbers attempt to summit within […]
Trump sees UK royal visit boosting ties
US President Donald Trump has expressed optimism that the upcoming state visit by King Charles III and Queen Camilla could help strengthen ties between the United States and the United Kingdom. Speaking in a phone interview, Trump described the British monarch as “a fantastic man” and said the visit would have a positive impact on bilateral relations. The four-day trip, scheduled to begin next week, will include meetings at the White House and an address by the King to Congress. The visit comes at a time of visible tensions between Washington and London, particularly over the ongoing conflict involving Iran. Trump also commented on his relationship with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, suggesting the British leader could improve his standing if he adjusted his policies on immigration and energy. Starmer, however, has maintained that his decisions are guided by national […]
Trump orders US Navy to destroy boats laying mines in Hormuz
President Donald Trump on Thursday ordered the United States Navy to destroy any boats found laying sea mines in the Strait of Hormuz, escalating pressure on Iran over control of the vital waterway. “I have ordered the United States Navy to shoot and kill any boat, small boats though they may be… that is putting mines in the waters of the Strait of Hormuz,” Trump wrote in a post cited by U.S. media. He added that there should be “no hesitation” in carrying out the directive. Trump also said U.S. mine‑sweeping operations were already under way. “Additionally, our mine ‘sweepers’ are clearing the Strait right now,” he stated, underscoring Washington’s determination to keep the strategic chokepoint open to international shipping. The Strait of Hormuz, which connects the Gulf to global markets, is one of the world’s most important energy corridors, […]
Iran tightens grip on Strait of Hormuz as US blocks ships and ceasefire talks stall
Iran has tightened its control over the Strait of Hormuz by seizing two commercial vessels, just as the United States pauses new strikes but keeps a naval blockade in place and peace talks remain in limbo. The move came after U.S. President Donald Trump said he was indefinitely suspending renewed military attacks on Iran and extending a shaky ceasefire so Washington could study an Iranian proposal to end the two month old conflict. However, Tehran has not confirmed any formal extension of the truce and has denounced the ongoing blockade of its maritime trade as an act of war. Iran’s chief negotiator and parliament speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said a full ceasefire would only be possible if the U.S. lifted its naval blockade and allowed normal traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a key route that previously carried around one […]
Deadly shooting shocks Mexico’s Teotihuacán site
Mexican authorities are investigating a deadly shooting at one of the country’s most iconic tourist sites, the Teotihuacán complex, where a gunman opened fire on visitors before taking his own life. The attack unfolded on Monday morning at the Pyramid of the Moon, a major landmark within the ancient site. Video footage shows the assailant firing at tourists, causing panic as visitors scrambled for safety among the historic structures. A 32-year-old Canadian woman was killed in the incident, while several others from countries including Russia, Colombia and Brazil were injured and treated in nearby hospitals. The gunman, identified as Julio César Jasso Ramírez, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. According to investigators, the attacker acted alone, with no evidence linking the incident to organized crime groups such as the Jalisco New Generation Cartel. Authorities described the act as premeditated, noting […]
Ukraine resumes oil transit, unlocking EU loan
Ukraine has resumed the transit of Russian oil through a key pipeline supplying Hungary and Slovakia, ending a months-long standoff that had delayed crucial European Union financial support for Kyiv. Shortly after the restart, EU ambassadors meeting in Brussels gave preliminary approval to a €90bn loan package for Ukraine, along with a new round of sanctions targeting Russia. Final approval is expected imminently. The funding, initially agreed in December, had been blocked by Viktor Orbán in February. His veto came after oil flows were disrupted due to damage caused by Russian strikes on Ukrainian infrastructure. Budapest had insisted that supplies be restored before any financial support could proceed. Ukrainian authorities confirmed that repairs had been completed and pumping resumed, with oil expected to reach Slovakia and Hungary within days. The pipeline in question is part of the Druzhba pipeline, a […]
Be the first to leave a comment