May 14, 2026
Chinese ships cross Hormuz under Iran protocol amid US blockade
Chinese-linked vessels began crossing the Strait of Hormuz under an Iranian “management protocol,” while the US Central Command said it redirected 70 commercial ships and disabled four amid blockade measures.
TEHRAN: Chinese-linked vessels began transiting the strategic Strait of Hormuz under an Iranian “management protocol”, Iranian media reported on Thursday, as tensions continued to disrupt global maritime traffic in the region.
According to Fars News Agency, the ships were permitted passage after complying with protocols established by Iran for navigation through the vital waterway.
The report cited an informed source as saying the movement of Chinese vessels was facilitated due to the “deep relations and strategic partnership” between China and Iran, alongside diplomatic efforts by Chinese officials, including Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Beijing’s ambassador in Tehran.
Ship-tracking platform Marine Traffic reportedly showed that at least four China-linked vessels crossed the strait during the past 24 hours using what Iran described as a “safe corridor”.
The Strait of Hormuz — a crucial route for global oil and gas exports — has faced severe disruption since the outbreak of the US-Israel conflict with Iran earlier this year, significantly affecting international energy supplies and commercial shipping.
Meanwhile, the United States Central Command said it had redirected 70 commercial vessels and disabled four others as part of Washington’s blockade measures targeting ships travelling to or from Iranian ports.
US President Donald Trump’s administration has maintained strict maritime controls in the Gulf amid the ongoing regional conflict.
Separately, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran had urged BRICS nations to condemn what he described as US and Israeli aggression against Iran.
Speaking during a BRICS foreign ministers’ meeting in New Delhi, Araghchi stated that the Strait of Hormuz remained “open to all commercial vessels” provided they cooperated with the Iranian navy, while blaming the US blockade for disruptions in maritime traffic.
He also called on countries of the Global South to challenge what he termed the West’s “false sense of superiority”.
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