Two COSCO Chinese container ships transit Hormuz — Iran widens approved-nations list to include China

Two giant Chinese COSCO container ships transited the Strait of Hormuz on their second attempt after being forced to turn back on Friday. Ship-tracking data confirmed the successful transit, reported by Lloyd's List. The passage signals a diplomatic breakthrough between Beijing and Tehran: Iran is selectively expanding its list of nations approved for Hormuz transit to include China, while the strait remains largely blocked to Western commercial and military traffic. The move is consistent with Iran's broader strategy of leveraging Hormuz closure as selective economic coercion — punishing US-aligned nations while maintaining trade ties with non-aligned or sympathetic powers. Trump had previously stated Iran allowed 20 ships per day through the strait 'out of a sign of respect,' while Treasury Secretary Bessent declared the US would take control of Hormuz 'over time.' The COSCO transit demonstrates that China has negotiated separate access arrangements with Tehran, complicating US efforts to present Hormuz as uniformly closed to international shipping. China has maintained its position as Iran's largest oil customer and diplomatic backer throughout the conflict.