Washington sharpened its message on one of the world’s most dangerous waterways, accusing China of helping bankroll Iran while urging Beijing to use its influence to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

The signal came from US official Scott Bessent, who said the United States has “absolute control” of Hormuz even as he called on China to “step up” diplomatically. The statement pairs military confidence with political pressure. It also reframes the standoff as more than a US-Iran confrontation: the Trump card, Washington suggests, may sit in Beijing, which has deep economic ties to Tehran and a huge stake in uninterrupted energy flows.

“Absolute control” and a call for diplomacy make for a striking combination: Washington wants deterrence on the water and leverage in Beijing.

Key Facts

  • A US official said China is “funding” Iran.
  • Washington urged Beijing to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
  • Scott Bessent said the US has “absolute control” of Hormuz.
  • The dispute raises the stakes for global trade and energy markets.

The Strait of Hormuz remains a narrow passage with outsized power. Any disruption there can ripple through oil shipments, insurance costs, shipping routes, and consumer prices far from the Gulf. That reality explains the US effort to widen the diplomatic burden. If China depends on regional energy supplies, the US argument goes, then China also carries responsibility for calming the crisis and pressing Iran toward de-escalation.

Still, the rhetoric carries risks of its own. Accusing China of “funding” Iran raises the political temperature at the very moment Washington says it wants help. Reports indicate the administration aims to force a choice: either Beijing uses its ties with Tehran to ease pressure in the strait, or it faces greater scrutiny over its role in sustaining Iran’s economy. That approach could produce leverage, but it could just as easily harden positions in all three capitals.

What happens next will matter well beyond the Gulf. If diplomatic channels open and shipping stabilizes, markets may breathe easier and the immediate crisis could cool. If not, Hormuz will remain a live test of how far the US can convert naval dominance into political outcomes — and whether China will accept the role Washington now demands.