Trump Threatens to Attack Iran's Power Grid, China Warns Middle East Could Spiral Out of Control

China has warned that further attacks in the Middle East risk creating an uncontrollable situation in the war-torn region. The caution from China came after US President Donald Trump threatened to destroy Iran’s power plants. According to AFP on Monday (23/3/2026), Trump gave Tehran a 48-hour deadline on Saturday (21/3) to end the partial blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway leading to the Gulf through which around 20% of the world’s oil passes, or risk attacks on its vital energy infrastructure. The conflict and its impact on Hormuz have threatened global energy security as well as China’s oil supplies, and “the use of force will only lead to a vicious cycle,” said spokesperson for China’s Foreign Ministry, Lin Jian, at a press conference when asked about Trump’s threats. “If the war escalates further and the situation worsens again, the entire region could plunge into an uncontrollable situation,” he said. Beijing is a partner of Iran, which has been the target of US-Israeli attacks since last month, but it has also stated that they “do not agree” with Tehran’s attacks on Gulf countries hosting US military bases and has urged a ceasefire. Trump, who was scheduled to visit Beijing this month but postponed the trip to address the impacts of the war, has asked China and other countries to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Beijing has not yet responded to that call, but has sought to mediate in the Middle East, sending its special envoy Zhai Jun on a tour of the region to urge de-escalation. Foreign Minister Wang Yi said earlier this month that the war “should never have happened” and called for an end to the fighting.