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China Condemns US Strikes on Iran, Cites International Law Violations

China has formally condemned recent US-Israeli military strikes against Iran, stating they violate international law and were unauthorized by the UN Security Council. The Chinese Foreign Ministry specifically opposed attacks on civilian infrastructure and called for an immediate return to diplomatic solutions. Despite the crisis, China has insulated itself from potential oil shocks due to its heavy reliance on Iranian crude, importing over 80% of Iran's shipped oil in 2025. Beijing's preparedness stems from years of strategic stockpiling and sourcing from sanctioned nations like Iran, Russia, and Venezuela through independent "teapot refineries."

Key Points: China Slams US-Israel Strikes on Iran's Civilian Infrastructure

  • China condemns US strikes on Iranian civilian sites
  • Calls for political, not military, settlement
  • China heavily reliant on Iranian oil imports
  • Prepared for energy crisis via stockpiling and "teapot refineries"
  • Strait of Hormuz blockade threatens global oil flow
2 min read

China condemns US strikes on Iran's civilian infrastructure

China opposes US-Israeli military action in Iran, calling it illegal, while securing its own oil supply from Iran amid the Strait of Hormuz crisis.

"The US-Israeli military operations against Iran have no authorization of the UN Security Council and violate international law. - Chinese MFA"

New Delhi, April 5

Spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy in India, Yu Jing, shared the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs' message stating that the US-Israeli military operations against Iran violate international law.

Responding to a query, over China's stance after US President Donald Trump claimed that the US air strikes destroyed an Iranian civilian bridge to pressure Iran into negotiations, the Chinese MFA stated, "The US-Israeli military operations against Iran have no authorization of the UN Security Council and violate international law. China opposes attacks against civilian facilities. Relevant parties should stop the military actions at once, return to the track of political and diplomatic settlement, and avoid an even worse humanitarian disaster."

As the Strait of Hormuz has the world in a chokehold, China appears to have largely insulated itself from the oil crisis, even though the country is heavily reliant on Iran for oil.

China gets more than half of its oil from the Middle East, especially Iran. According to data from Kpler, China bought more than 80 per cent of Iran's shipped oil in 2025. China's imports of Iranian crude were 1.4 million barrels of oil per day (mbd) in 2025, out of a total 10.4mbd seaborne crude imports, as per Al Jazeera.

When the US and Israel commenced strikes on Iran on February 28, and Tehran blocked the Strait of Hormuz through which about 20 per cent of global oil and gas passes just hours later, Beijing was already prepared to cope with an energy crisis, as it had been preparing for years. In 2021, while visiting an oilfield in the country, Chinese President Xi Jinping stated that the country would take its energy supply matters "into its own hands".

Since then, one of the key tactics the country has used to secure its oil supply is through "teapot refineries" - smaller, independent facilities which have capitalised on oil made cheap by international sanctions, stockpiling oil reserves and increasing imports from countries such as Iran, Russia and Venezuela, as per Al Jazeera.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Attacking civilian infrastructure is never acceptable, no matter the geopolitical game. China is right to call it out. But let's be honest, their concern is less about international law and more about their own oil imports. The whole situation is worrying for global stability.
R
Rohit P
The Strait of Hormuz blockage shows how fragile global trade is. China prepared with 'teapot refineries' and stockpiling. What is India's contingency plan? Our economy cannot afford another oil price shock. The government needs to be as strategic and forward-thinking.
S
Sarah B
Interesting to see China positioning itself as a defender of international law here. A bit rich, but the principle is correct. Civilian targets should be off-limits. The US and Israel's actions seem reckless and are escalating tensions in a region the whole world depends on.
V
Vikram M
China buying 80% of Iran's oil explains their "concern". It's pure business. For India, the lesson is clear: we cannot be dependent on any single region or get caught in these crossfires. Time to invest heavily in renewables and secure long-term deals with stable partners.
K
Karthik V
While I don't always agree with China's foreign policy, their point about unauthorized UN action is valid. The US often acts unilaterally. However, India must walk a very careful diplomatic line here. We have vital interests with the US, Gulf nations, and also need stable energy flows.

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