Ships connected to the Chinese returned to the Strait of Hormuz after a warning from the IRGC Navy
Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., discusses Iran allowing non-hostile ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz and Democrats’ continued opposition to ICE funding on ‘The Evening Edit.’
At least three Chinese-linked ships reportedly turned away after attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz last Friday, marking an unusual move in friendly Tehran-Beijing relations amid a regional crisis.
Two ships owned by China’s state-owned Cosco Shipping, CSCL Indian Ocean and CSCL Arctic Ocean, and Hong Kong-owned Lotus Rising suddenly capsized near Larak Island, according to ship tracking service MarineTraffic and research group FDD. The substation has been repeatedly described as a “tolling area” by Iran, with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy, allowing only authorized vessels to pass through.
This was Cosco’s first large-scale shipping attempt since the conflict in the Strait of Hormuz began in Feb. 28, which disrupted 20% of the world’s oil supply.
The ships reportedly violated Iranian laws prohibiting traffic to and from countries deemed to support the United States and Israel, including the UAE and Saudi Arabia, according to an IRGC statement cited by IRGC affiliate Nour News.
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The satellite image shows the Strait of Hormuz, an important sea route connecting the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, which is important for the world’s energy supply. (Amanda Macias/Fox News Digital/Getty Images)
“Three container ships from different nations tried to go to the tunnel monitored by licensed ships, they were forced to return after being warned by the IRGC Navy,” the center said on Friday afternoon.
“The sailing of any ship ‘to and from’ the ports of allies and supporters of the Zionist-American enemies to any point and from any tunnel is prohibited,” it added.
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Many Chinese container ships canceled their attempt to pass through the Strait of Hormuz last Friday. (STR/AFP/Getty Images/Getty Images)
It is unclear why the ships stopped sailing, but Cosco ships have reportedly been visiting ports in hostile countries since mid-February, including Jebel Ali in Dubai; Dammam in Saudi Arabia; and Khalifa Port in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, according to the marine store Lloyd’s List.
Analysts noted that the ships may not have had the proper documents or authorization to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, and safe passage could not be guaranteed, the outlet added.
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A Chinese container ship leaves the port. (iStock / Fox News)
The incident highlights a gap between Iran’s previous assurances that China and other friendly countries, including Russia and India, could coordinate a safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz.
CSCL Indian Ocean and CSCL Arctic Ocean also broadcast messages on their identification systems indicating they have Chinese owners and crews as a precautionary measure to show friendliness to Iran, Reuters reported, but the effort was apparently deemed insufficient by Iranian authorities at the checkpoint.
Reuters contributed to this report.
