What role does China play in the Iran war?

As the top importer of Iranian oil, China faces major problems with any export restrictions to the Gulf, including a U.S. blockade of Iranian ports that began on Monday.

Beijing has condemned the U.S. blockade, calling it “irresponsible and dangerous.”

It has also reportedly sought to play a peacemaker role in the conflict, steering its ally Iran into talks with the United States in Pakistan over the weekend.

But the blockade creates serious political, economic and even military risks that both the United States and China want to avoid.

BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner explains why China’s role in the conflict is too big to ignore.