Tehran has begun allowing some Chinese
vessels to transit the Strait of Hormuz after reaching “an understanding” on
Iranian protocols for managing the waterway, Reuters reported
on May 14, citing Iranian Fars news agency.
“The Fars report came as U.S. President Donald Trump, who is on a state visit
A source told Fars the move came after requests from China’s foreign minister and its ambassador to Iran. Tehran agreed to facilitate the passage of several Chinese ships under the two countries’ strategic partnership, the agency said.
Reuters noted that Iran has previously said neutral vessels, including those linked to China, may transit the strait if they coordinate their movements with Iran’s armed forces.
Vessel-tracking data show a Chinese supertanker carrying
about 2 million barrels of Iraqi crude passed through the Strait of Hormuz on May
13 after being detained in the Persian Gulf for more than two months.