The closure of the Strait of Hormuz is choking off China’s imports of methanol – a vital input for the country’s industrial sector.

Japanese lawmakers reeling from attacks on Iran by the United States and Israel gathered on Monday at the ruling party's offices in Tokyo to question bureaucrats about evacuation plans, energy stocks and the legal ​basis for U.

China said it is "highly concerned" over the military strikes launched by the U.S. and Israel, calling for an immediate stop to the military action.

"The U.S.-Israeli strikes have no United Nations Security Council authorization and violate international law. China is deeply concerned over the regional spillover," ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said during Monday's regular press conference.

China is urging Iranian officials to avoid actions that could disrupt Qatari gas exports or other energy shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.

China is the world's largest energy importer and would therefore appear vulnerable to the surge in crude oil and natural gas prices from the conflict between Israel and the United States against Iran.

PARIS, March 3 (Reuters) - French ⁠Foreign ⁠Minister Jean-Noel Barrot ⁠held a call on Monday with ​his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi to discuss the ‌Iran war and both ‌agreed to work on de-escalation, ⁠Barrot's ⁠office said in a statement.

China imports roughly half of its oil from the Middle East.