US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Sunday warned Iran against closing the Strait of Hormuz, calling it "economic suicide". He also urged China to encourage Iran to not dissuade Iran as tensions escalated in the region following US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites.
"If they do that, it will be another terrible mistake. It's economic suicide for them if they do it. And we retain options to deal with that, but other countries should be looking at that as well. It would hurt other countries' economies a lot worse than ours," Rubio said on Fox News' Sunday Morning Features with Maria Bartiromo.
Rubio's comments came after Iran's Press TV reported that the parliament approved a measure to close the Strait of Hormuz, through which around 20 per cent of the world's oil and gas flows.
The strait, approximately 33 km wide at the narrowest point, connects the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean and separates Iran (north) from the Arabian Peninsula (south).
"I encourage the Chinese government in Beijing to call them about that, because they heavily depend on the Straits of Hormuz for their oil," said Rubio, who also serves as US National Security Adviser.
Rubio further stressed that the closure of the Strait of Hormuz would be a "massive escalation" that would merit a response from the US and others.
The Chinese embassy in Washington did not immediately provide comment, Reuters reported.
US Strikes Iranian Nuclear Facilities
Earlier today, US officials said during a press briefing that Iran's key nuclear sites were "obliterated" using 14 bunker-buster bombs, over two dozen Tomahawk missiles, and more than 125 military aircraft.
Following the strikes, Iran has vowed to defend itself, stressing that the US has "committed a grave violation of the UN Charter" by attacking Iran's "peaceful nuclear installations". Iran also said that it reserves "all options to defend its sovereignty, interest, and people" in accordance with the UN Charter and its provisions, which allow a legitimate response in self-defence.
However, Rubio on Sunday warned Tehran against retaliation, saying such an action would be "the worst mistake they've ever made." He added that the US is prepared to talk with Iran.
US had launched Operation Midnight Hammer against Iran and struck three of its nuclear facilities, including Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan.
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