Can China break the blockade? Thirst for oil forces Xi’s hand

China was startled by the combined American and Israeli assault on Iran and saw its own efforts to become a mediator in Gulf relations abruptly sidelined. Its economy suffered collateral damage from a war in which it had no part — an embarrassing position for an emergent superpower. However, on Tuesday, President Xi made a clear step back into the Middle East, announcing a “four-point peace plan” for the crisis, and had his spokesman make a concerted attack on the United States’ handling of the war. Iran war latest: Follow live China’s response to President Trump’s announcements at the weekend,…