Amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, Iran on Friday (March 27, 2026) intercepted two Chinese ships in the Strait of Hormuz. This move by Tehran has shocked the world, as it had earlier said that only ships belonging to Israel and its allies would be prevented from passing through this sea route. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) announced that the Strait of Hormuz was closed and issued a warning against any ships belonging to allies of the United States and Israel passing through it.
Iran returned two Chinese ships
According to a report by *The Wall Street Journal* (WSJ), Iran returned two Chinese-owned ships from the Strait of Hormuz. The report claimed that the two Chinese ships—named *CSCL Indian Ocean* and *CSCL Arctic Ocean*—were forced to turn back when they got close to Larak Island, near Iran’s southern port of Bandar Abbas. According to *Noor News*, Iranian Revolutionary Guards have claimed that they have turned back three container ships from different countries and have imposed sanctions on ships that are sailing to and from ports of countries that support the United States and Israel.
Which ships is Iran allowing to pass through the Strait of Hormuz?
The WSJ also reported that passage through the Strait of Hormuz is now being allowed only to ships carrying specific cargo destined for Iran—such as household goods, automobiles, textiles, and medicines. Meanwhile, some ships carrying grain were recently allowed to enter Iranian ports, albeit with significant delays.
Meanwhile, Israel’s Defense Minister Katz has warned of swift attacks against Iran. According to reports, the Pentagon is considering deploying 10,000 additional ground troops to the Middle East. The United States says such a deployment would expand its options for attacking Iran. Additionally, President Trump has extended—for the third time—his decision not to attack Iran’s energy sector. Diplomatic relations between China and Iran have a long standing. China has been selling arms to Iran even before Trump became President, but has refrained from giving security guarantees. At the same time, Iran sells 90 percent of its oil to China.