Iran Allows Chinese Ships to Pass Through Strait of Hormuz Since Yesterday

According to AFP on Thursday (15/5/2026), Iran has largely blocked shipments through the vital strait since the war with the United States and Israel broke out on 28 February. During peacetime, the route accounts for about one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments, along with other important commodities. “In the end, it was concluded that a number of Chinese ships requested by the country will pass through this area after an agreement on the Iranian strait management protocol,” said the Revolutionary Guard, Iran’s ideological military wing, in a statement. “This passage began last night,” they added. Iranian state television said “more than 30 ships” have been allowed to pass, although it is unclear if all are Chinese vessels. Iran’s grip on the waterway has shaken global markets and given Tehran significant leverage, while the United States has imposed its own naval blockade on Iranian ports. The passage of these ships occurs alongside US President Donald Trump’s visit to China, where he met his counterpart Xi Jinping on Thursday for talks that included the Iranian war.