Saudis, China Want US to End New Naval Blockade

The US is getting pushback from two heavyweight powers over its newly imposed blockade of Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz. A look:

• Saudi Arabia: The Wall Street Journal reports that the Saudis are pressing the White House to end the blockade and focus instead on ceasefire talks. Saudi Arabia's big fear is that Iran will retaliate by shutting down other vital shipping routes, particularly one called Bab al-Mandeb on the Red Sea. The story explains that the Saudis have been able to weather the Strait of Hormuz closure by pumping oil across the desert to the Red Sea, an option that Iran could shut down if it gets Houthi allies in Yemen to attack the Bab al-Mandeb chokepoint.

• China: Beijing on Tuesday blasted the US blockade as a "dangerous and irresponsible act" that risks making an already dangerous situation worse, reports CNBC. Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said only a full ceasefire can stabilize the situation. It's no small matter for Beijing, which buys more Iranian crude than any other country. Guo also rejected reports that China, a longtime ally of Tehran, is arming Iran as "completely made up."
• Round two? It does appear that US and Iranian negotiators will meet for round two of ceasefire talks in Pakistan in the coming days.