Iran to allow only Chinese vessels through Strait of Hormuz: report
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Iran will permit only Chinese vessels to pass through the Strait of Hormuz amid its ongoing blockade of the strategic waterway, according to a report by NDTV, as tensions escalate in the Middle East conflict involving the United States and Israel.
Tehran has blocked access to the vital maritime chokepoint and warned that any vessel attempting to cross risks being attacked.
The move has raised concerns over global supply chains, particularly oil shipments, as more than 20 per cent of the world’s oil supplies transit through the strait before heading to Asian markets, including China and India.
Iran’s elite force, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, said it is in complete control of the Strait of Hormuz and warned that vessels seeking to pass could face missile strikes or drone attacks. However, Chinese ships have reportedly been granted access to the passage, which connects Persian Gulf ports to the open sea.
China has maintained a pro-Iran stance during the war, describing airstrikes on Tehran as unacceptable.
According to China’s state news agency Xinhua, Foreign Minister Wang Yi told Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov that the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and any incitement of regime change were unacceptable.
At the start of the conflict, Beijing called for an immediate ceasefire and stressed the importance of safeguarding shipping lanes, noting its dependence on oil supplies that move through the strait. Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning urged all parties to halt military operations and avoid further escalation.
US President Donald Trump said the US Navy would escort tankers through the strait if necessary, pledging to ensure the free flow of energy to the world.
