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U.S. Asks China to Influence Iran in Persian Gulf
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States hopes China will press Iran to change its course in the Gulf. Rubio described China as the top U.S. geopolitical foe while also calling it the most important relationship to manage. The comments came in a Fox News interview aired on May 13, 2026.
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The United States is seeking to enlist China in efforts to persuade Iran to alter its behavior in the Gulf, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Wednesday. Rubio made the remarks in an interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity that aired on May 13. He described China both as the top U.S. geopolitical competitor and as the bilateral relationship that Washington must manage most carefully to avoid conflict.
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"To avoid wars and maintain peace, we're going to have to manage those interests," Rubio said of the U.S.-China dynamic. The secretary of state indicated that Washington wants Beijing to play a more active role in steering Tehran away from its current activities in the Gulf region.
Rubio stopped short of detailing specific Iranian actions or the precise steps the U.S. is requesting from China. The comments reflect a nuanced approach to Beijing that has been absent in much of the recent U.S.-China discourse. Officials have long viewed China as the primary long-term strategic challenge while recognizing its unique leverage over other global actors, including Iran.
China maintains close economic ties with Iran and has historically resisted U.S. pressure to isolate Tehran. Beijing has repeatedly called for calm in the Gulf and opposed unilateral sanctions. The timing of Rubio's remarks coincides with heightened tensions in the Gulf, though the secretary provided no new details on specific incidents or timelines.
The U.S. has increasingly looked to third parties, including China, to help de-escalate regional flashpoints. Rubio's interview also touched on the broader challenge of balancing competition with cooperation. He emphasized that managing the U.S.-China relationship responsibly remains essential even as Washington competes vigorously with Beijing across multiple domains.
