23
Jun
Washington/Beijing (National Times): Amid escalating Middle East tensions, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has urged China to intervene diplomatically and stop Iran from potentially closing the Strait of Hormuz, a vital chokepoint for global oil shipments. Rubio’s appeal comes in response to reports from Iran's state-run Press TV, which stated that the Iranian parliament had approved a proposal to shut the Strait. However, the final decision rests with Iran’s Supreme National Security Council. The Strait, a narrow waterway between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, facilitates the passage of nearly 20% of the global oil supply. Speaking…