Chinese Ships Defy Restrictions, Transit Through Iranian Strait of Hormuz

Two Chinese ships have been spotted transiting through the Iranian side of the Strait of Hormuz, despite reports that two state-owned companies had barred their tankers from using this route. The New Way is currently sailing from Al Hamriyah Port in the UAE through the Iranian section of the strait, while the Chinese-flagged oil tanker Mousik has also been tracked entering the strait.

This development comes after Reuters reported that two Chinese state-owned companies had restricted their tankers from transiting the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. However, maritime tracking data suggests that at least two Chinese-flagged vessels are currently using the Iranian route through the Strait of Hormuz.