World
Iran Allows Chinese Ships Through Strait of Hormuz
Iran has permitted several Chinese vessels to transit the Strait of Hormuz after a February 28 closure, following an agreement on waterway management protocols.
Several Chinese ships have been granted passage through the Strait of Hormuz by Iran, ending a closure that began on February 28. The decision came after an understanding was reached regarding management protocols for the waterway, a well-informed source told the semi-official Fars News Agency on Thursday. The source, who was not named by the agency, did not provide further details on the specific terms of the agreement.
The move was made in response to requests from Iran's foreign minister and the Chinese ambassador in Tehran, the source explained. The approval to facilitate the transit of Chinese vessels is part of the strategic partnership between the two countries.
US-China Agreement on Freedom of Navigation
In a parallel development, US President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping agreed during Trump's official visit to China on the necessity of keeping the Strait of Hormuz open for the free flow of energy. This agreement comes amid heightened regional tensions that have been escalating since the start of US and Israeli strikes on February 28, which led to Iran's illegal closure of the strait.
