Amid their blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, the Iranian authorities have said that they will allow only Chinese vessels to pass through the vital maritime chokepoint, in reciprocation to Beijing's supportive stance towards Tehran in the ongoing war in the Middle East.
Iran has blocked all access to the important maritime checkpoint, while asserting that anyone who tries to pass the Strait of Hormuz will be attacked. Closure of the Strait of Hormuz has threatened global supply chains, particularly the oil supply.
NDTV reported today that the Chinese vessels have been given access to the Strait, which provides the Persian Gulf ports access to the open sea.
Tehran's elite force, the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), has said that they are now in “complete control” of the Strait and “any vessels seeking to pass risk damage from missiles or stray drones.”
Also Read: 'Will Set Ships Ablaze': Iran Formally Shuts Strait of Hormuz, Issues Stern Warning
What is the Strait of Hormuz?
The vital maritime chokepoint provides open sea access to countries, including the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, among others. Roughly, more than 20% of the global oil supplies pass through the Strait before they proceed into the Asian markets, including China and India.
Why is Iran favouring China?
China has maintained a pro-Iran stance during the ongoing war between the United States, Israel, and Iran, with Beijing terming the airstrikes on Tehran as “unacceptable”.
The state news agency Xinhua reported that Foreign Minister Wang Yi has told his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, that “blatant killing of a sovereign leader” - Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei - and the “incitement of regime change was unacceptable.
At the beginning of the war, China had appealed for an immediate ceasefire and the safety of shipping lanes, given that Beijing is the main buyer of Iranian oil. Most of China's supplies pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
“China urges all parties to immediately cease military operations,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning had said, adding, “further escalation should be avoided, and safety of the shipping lanes in the Strait of Hormuz must be protected, to prevent a greater impact on the global economy.”
Also Read: Alternative For Hormuz Strait: How Global Oil Chokepoints Work And What They Mean For India
Trump's promise to protect vessels in the Strait of Hormuz
US President Donald Trump has said that his country's navy will escort tankers through the strait if necessary. “The US Navy will be escorting tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, as soon as possible, and if necessary,” he said on the Turthe Social platform.
He asserted that “no matter what” the US will ensure the “FREE FLOW of ENERGY to the WORLD.”
Essential Business Intelligence, Continuous LIVE TV, Sharp Market Insights, Practical Personal Finance Advice and Latest Stories — On NDTV Profit.
