Since the beginning of the naval blockade of Iran, the US military has turned back 10 ships trying to bypass it, but not a single ship has been able to break through the blockade, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said.
“To date, 10 ships have been turned back and none have broken through the US blockade since it was established on Monday“, said a statement published on the command's X page.
The United States imposed a naval blockade of Iran on April 13.
The blockade only targets ships traveling to or from Iranian ports. The US has declared that it will not impede freedom of navigation for third-party vessels that do not trade with Iran.
US forces have launched an operation to clear sea mines in the strait, which Washington says were laid by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
The operation involves more than 10,000 troops and more than 15 warships, including the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) and its strike group.
CENTCOM said that any unauthorized vessel is at risk of being intercepted, diverted or detained.
Tehran described the actions as “piracy” and warned that the entry of warships near the strait would be considered a violation of the ceasefire. The Revolutionary Guard has threatened retaliatory strikes on ports in neighboring Gulf states.
The blockade is costing Iran about $400 million a day in lost revenue. The price of Brent crude oil remains high (near $100 a barrel), about 33% above levels before the conflict began in February.
NATO allies have largely declined to directly engage in the naval blockade. Beijing is concerned because about half of its oil supplies pass through the region.
China believes it is necessary to protect Iran's rights and sovereignty as a country located in the Strait of Hormuz, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said.
“It is necessary to respect and protect Iran's sovereignty, security and legitimate rights as a country located in the Strait of Hormuz“, the Chinese Foreign Ministry website quoted Wang Yi as saying after a phone call with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi on April 15. “At the same time, it is necessary to ensure the freedom and safety of navigation in this international strait.“
The Chinese diplomat specified that the desire to restore normal navigation in the Strait of Hormuz is “a call for solidarity from the international community“. He said that China is ready, in line with Chinese President Xi Jinping's proposals for resolving the conflict, to help reduce tensions, improve relations between countries in the region and "play a constructive role in achieving lasting peace and stability in the Middle East."
Wang Yi reaffirmed Beijing's "unwavering support" for efforts aimed at protecting Iran's sovereignty, security and national dignity. "We are now entering a decisive phase of the transition from war to peace, and the window of opportunity for peace is open," the minister stressed. "China supports maintaining the trend of ceasefire and negotiations. This is in line with the fundamental interests of the Iranian people and the shared expectations of countries in the region and the international community."
Araghchi briefed the Chinese foreign minister on the status of the Iran-US talks, as well as Tehran's future plans. He said Iran would seek a reasonable and realistic resolution to the crisis through peaceful dialogue.
Araghchi also praised China's efforts to de-escalate the situation. He expressed hope that Beijing would play a positive role in restoring peace and ending the fighting.