As US enters Israel-Iran conflict, are China’s Middle East interests at risk?

“In terms of China’s energy security and oil supply, the Strait of Hormuz is a vital shipping route for Chinese oil imports. Given Iran’s geographic control over the strait, any intensification of regional conflict could threaten the stability of this critical passage, posing risks to China’s oil import flows,” Xu said.

US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that the United States had conducted a “very successful attack” on three nuclear sites in Iran.

The attack has fuelled fears among various countries that tensions will further intensify in the region.

Both the Houthi rebels in Yemen and Hamas – two groups supported by Iran – have condemned the US strikes, with the Houthis vowing to support Iran in its fight against “the Zionist and American aggression”.