Iran blocks two Chinese ships from Strait of Hormuz - what led to rare act?
Iran has blocked two Chinese ships from passing through the Strait of Hormuz, contradicting an earlier claim by President Donald Trump that Tehran had agreed to let some ships through. The move marks a rare act of aggression by Iran, which has been running an unofficial 'toll booth' for pre-approved ships in the strait.
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps turned away three Chinese ships, including two owned by China's biggest shipping company, from the Strait of Hormuz on Friday. The ships had attempted to exit the Persian Gulf but were forced to make U-turns after being warned to turn back. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical waterway for international trade, and the incident has raised concerns about the safety of ships in the region. Iran has been attacking civilian ships with drones and missiles, and vessel traffic in the strait has fallen over 90% since the outbreak of war in the Middle East. The Iranian government has escorted some foreign tankers through the strait's northern reaches, but the incident on Friday marks a rare act of aggression against Chinese ships. The move is likely to escalate tensions in the region and impact global trade.
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