Back Bbc

Newshour | US blockade of Iran ports 'irresponsible and dangerous', China says

Bbc • April 15, 2026

China, the biggest buyer of Iranian oil, has described the American blockade as 'irresponsible' while the IMF is warning that the global economy could slip into recession because of the Iran war. Also on the programme: Israel and Lebanon have held direct talks for the first time in decades, to the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah; and we hear the return of a centuries‑old stone carving of the Zimbabwe bird - the country's sacred national emblem.

(A vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, Credit: Reuters)

The full story

This article is one source in a clustered incident — the cluster page carries the summary, timeline and every other outlet covering it.

Trump Threatens to Obliterate Iran's Power Plants Amid Escalating Conflict On March 22, 2026, President Donald Trump issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Iran, threatening to 'obliterate' its power plants if the Strait of Hormuz is not fully reopened. This comes as Iran launched missile attacks on two Israeli cities, injuring over 100 people, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict. Iran's parliament speaker warned that its energy infrastructure would be deemed legitimate targets if its power plants are attacked. The conflict has severely disrupted oil shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, causing prices to surge above $100 per barrel. The U.S. has temporarily lifted sanctions on some Iranian oil to alleviate global supply pressures. As the war enters its fourth week, the situation remains volatile, with both sides preparing for further military actions. The U.S. military has reported striking thousands of Iranian targets, while Iran continues to threaten regional infrastructure linked to U.S. interests. 2012 sources 75

Extracted Entities

Countries (5)

China Iran Israel Lebanon Zimbabwe