Chinese vessels allowed to pass through Strait of Hormuz; Tensions flare after ship sunk near strait; Xi issues stark warning to Trump over Taiwan

Iran has allowed some Chinese ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz following diplomatic overtures from the Chinese government, semi-official Iranian news agencies reported last night.

The reports coincided with a visit to Beijing by Trump, who held talks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Thursday that were expected to focus heavily on the crisis surrounding the strategic waterway.

Dueling efforts by Iran and the US to control traffic in the strait have roiled global energy markets in recent months.

The Trump administration has pressured China to use its influence over Iran to help reopen the strait, a key shipping route for Persian Gulf oil.

Fars and Tasnim, two semi-official Iranian news agencies, said Iran had approved the passage of some Chinese ships under rules set by Tehran for managing traffic in the waterway.

According to Fars reports, this move came after diplomatic contacts by China’s foreign minister and its ambassador to Iran.