Iran permits Chinese ships to transit the Strait of Hormuz starting Wednesday.

On Thursday, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard announced that its naval forces had permitted several Chinese vessels to transit the Strait of Hormuz beginning the night before.

Since the conflict with the United States and Israel began on February 28, Iran has largely restricted traffic through the vital waterway.

During peacetime, the strait handles about one‑fifth of worldwide oil and liquefied natural gas flows, as well as other essential goods.

“It was ultimately concluded that a number of Chinese ships requested by this country would pass through this area after an agreement on Iran’s strait management protocols,” the Guards, the ideological arm of Iran’s military, said in a statement.

“This passage began last night,” they added.

Iranian state television reported that more than 30 vessels were permitted to pass, though it was unclear whether all were Chinese.

Iran’s control of the waterway has unsettled global markets and granted Tehran considerable leverage, while the United States has imposed its own naval blockade on Iranian ports.

The ship passage coincided with US President Donald Trump’s visit to China, where he met with Xi Jinping on Thursday to discuss the Iran conflict.

AFP

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