Iran Allows Chinese Ships Through Strait of Hormuz During Trump's Beijing Visit

Iran has begun permitting Chinese vessels to transit the Strait of Hormuz following an agreement on maritime management protocols, according to the semi-official Iranian Fars news agency. This development coincides with US President Donald Trump's state visit to Beijing, where he and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed that the strategic waterway must remain open for energy raw material transit. The decision follows severe restrictions imposed by Tehran after attacks by the US and Israel in late February 2026, which disrupted a route handling one-fifth of global oil and gas shipments. Although the US had established a blockade of Iranian ports, Tehran accepted the transit of specific Chinese ships at the request of Chinese officials, citing bilateral partnership ties. Navigation data confirmed that a Chinese super-tanker carrying two million barrels of Iranian oil recently passed through the strait after being stranded for two months due to the conflict. However, Reuters notes that the extent to which this decision alters the overall security situation remains unclear. The move highlights the complex interplay between ongoing regional hostilities and major power diplomacy involving the United States, China, and Iran.