Two large Chinese-linked container ships made an abrupt U-turn near the Strait of Hormuz on Friday as Iran tightens its grip on one of the key passages for global shipping. Ship-tracking data showed the CSCL Indian Ocean and CSCL Arctic Ocean, both linked to China’s state-owned COSCO Shipping, attempted to leave the Gulf in the early hours before turning back close to Iranian waters. The move came despite Tehran’s recent assurances that vessels from “friendly nations”, including China, would be allowed to pass.
Interestingly, Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi had stated just a day earlier that Tehran would permit safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz for ships from five “friendly” nations: China, Russia, India, Iraq, and Pakistan.
