US Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged China to prevent Iran from closing the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial oil shipping route. Iran's parliament reportedly approved a plan to close the strait, though the final decision rests with the Supreme National Security Council. Closing the strait would severely impact global oil prices and economies, particularly China's, as it's the largest importer of Iranian oil. Oil prices already surged following recent US actions against Iran. Experts warn that such a move would be economically devastating for Iran and its neighbors.

Prepared by Rachel Morgan and reviewed by editorial team.