Iran says Chinese ships passed through Hormuz overnight

Key Points:

• Iran's Revolutionary Guard announced that several Chinese ships have been allowed to pass through the Strait of Hormuz following an agreement on Iran's strait management protocols, despite the ongoing blockade affecting other vessels.
• The Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for about a fifth of global oil and LNG shipments, has been largely blockaded by Iran since US and Israeli attacks on February 28 escalated the conflict.
• US President Donald Trump, during his visit to China, secured a promise from Chinese President Xi Jinping to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz and pledged that China would not arm Iran.
• The US claims its blockade of Iranian ports has halted Iran's oil production, with no shipments loading at Kharg Island in the past three days, contributing to Iran's economic struggles including a record low currency value and rising consumer prices.
• Iran denies blocking the Strait of Hormuz but requires ships to coordinate with Iranian authorities and pay high fees to pass through a corridor near the Iranian coast, a practice criticized by international law experts as violating transit rights.