Senior gas executives said that Beijing has asked Iran specifically to avoid striking Qatar, which accounts for 20 percent of the world’s LNG exports and 30 percent of China’s supply, according to Bloomberg.

Qatar said on Monday that it would suspend production at Ras Laffan, the world’s largest LNG export facility, following an Iranian drone attack.

China has also expressed concern over access to the critically important Strait of Hormuz, through which approximately 20 per cent of the world’s oil consumption – roughly 20 million barrels – pass every day.

The IGRC has said that the Strait is closed and any vessel that attempts to pass will be “set ablaze”.

At least five tankers have been damaged and more than 700 non-Iranian tankers have been left stranded on either side of the Strait.

“China urges all parties to immediately cease military operations, avoid escalating tensions and safeguard the safety of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz,” China’s foreign ministry said on Tuesday.