strikeMay 14, 2026

Iran says Chinese ships passed through Hormuz overnight

Summary

Iran says Chinese ships passed through Hormuz overnightMay 14, 2026 Iran's Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) on Thursday said that a number of Chinese ships were allowed passage through the strategic Strait of Hormuz since the night before. The critical waterway, through which a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments transited in peacetime, has largely been blockaded by Iran since US and Israeli attacks against it on February 28 triggered the current conflict. What did Iran say about Chinese ships passing through Hormuz? Iranian state television said "more than 30 ships" had been allowed passage through the Strait of Hormuz, but did not specify how many of those ships were Chinese. "It was ultimately concluded that a number of Chinese ships requested by this country would pass through this area after an agreement on Iran's strait management protocols," the Guard said in a statement, adding that "this passage began last night." An IRGC commander stressed vessels linked to "an enemy state" continued to be blocked from passing through the waterway, the semi-official Fars news agency reported. The statement coincided with US President Donald Trump's visit to China, where rallying support against Iran is among his priorities. In comments to US broadcaster Fox News on Thursday and after meeting Chinese President Xi Jinping, Trump said that the Chinese leader had promised him to help with opening up the Strait of Hormuz and had vowed not to arm Iran. US claims blockade on Iranian ports stalled oil production Meanwhile, Washington has claimed that its blockade on Iranian ports, a response to Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz, has brought the Islamic Republic's oil production to a standstill. In an interview with US outlet CNBC, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said there "have been no loadings in the past three days" at Kharg Island, a key hub for Iranian oil exports. "We believe their storage is full. None of the ships are getting out, none are coming in, so they're not able to store oil on the water," Bessent said. Iran's local currency has fallen to a record law since the start of the conflict, with consumer prices almost doubling. Iran denies it is blocking the Strait of Hormuz, but shipping companies that want to cross the strategic waterway must now coordinate with Iranian authorities and can only pass through a corridor close to the Iranian coast after paying a high fee, which international law experts say violates the right of transit passage. rmt/wd (AFP, dpa)

Perspectives

Iranian Official

Iran's Revolutionary Guard, exercising the Islamic Republic's sovereign authority over the Strait of Hormuz, permitted a number of Chinese ships to transit after they agreed to Iran's management protocols, a decision reached following the unprovoked US and Israeli attacks of February 28 that triggered the blockade. Enemy vessels linked to the aggressors remain barred from the waterway, which Iran continues to defend against foreign interference. This measured allowance highlights Tehran's commitment to resistance while upholding national control over its strategic assets.

Israeli

Iran views the selective passage of over 30 Chinese vessels through the Strait of Hormuz—while maintaining its blockade against vessels from "enemy states" like Israel and the US—as a calculated maneuver to sustain leverage over global energy routes. This underscores the existential threat posed by Iran's IRGC-controlled chokepoint strategy, which bolsters its proxy networks and necessitates Israel's defensive operations to deter further aggression and secure maritime access.

Neutral

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps stated on May 14, 2026, that a number of Chinese ships had been permitted to transit the Strait of Hormuz after agreeing to Iran's management protocols, with passage beginning the previous night. Iranian state media reported over 30 ships transiting the strait without confirming how many were Chinese, while noting that vessels linked to enemy states remained blocked. The announcement occurred during a visit by US President Trump to China, where he stated that Chinese officials had agreed to support reopening the waterway.

Western

Iran has selectively permitted over 30 vessels, including a number of Chinese ships, to transit the Strait of Hormuz under strict IRGC protocols after maintaining a blockade that disrupts critical global energy routes. This targeted exception aligns with diplomatic pressure on Beijing during President Trump’s visit, where China committed to supporting efforts to reopen the waterway and refraining from arming Iranian forces. Enemy-linked vessels remain neutralized and barred from passage to counter ongoing threats to maritime security.

Pro-Peace

The US and Israeli attacks on Iran since February 28 have triggered a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, disrupting vital energy shipments and imposing severe humanitarian costs on civilians worldwide through soaring fuel prices, supply shortages, and economic hardship. Iran's decision to allow over 30 ships, including Chinese vessels, to transit after diplomatic agreements highlights the potential for negotiated protocols to ease the crisis, rather than prolonged military confrontation. As President Trump engages Chinese leaders on de-escalation, such talks offer a critical alternative to further violence that risks additional civilian deaths and regional catastrophe.

Global South

Iran exercised its sovereign authority over the Strait of Hormuz by authorizing Chinese vessels to transit under Tehran’s own management protocols, while barring ships tied to US and Israeli aggressors following their February attacks. This selective opening exposes persistent neo-colonial maneuvering, with Washington pressuring Beijing during Trump’s visit to undermine Iran’s position rather than respect non-aligned states’ control over vital waterways. The episode further reveals the impotence of international institutions in curbing great-power violations of regional sovereignty.

Actors involved

USIsraelIranChina

Sources

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Iran says Chinese ships passed through Hormuz overnightMay 14, 2026 Iran's Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) on Thursday said that a number of Chinese ships were allowed passage through the strategic Strait of Hormuz since the night before. The critical waterway, through which a fifth o…

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