"Some are criticizing us [Iran], saying that we have closed the Strait of Hormuz. We do not believe in closing the Strait of Hormuz at all," Iranian military commander Amir Heydari told Iranian state TV on Thursday.
Iran military says it has not closed Strait of Hormuz."We do not believe in closing the Strait of Hormuz at all,” military commander Amir Heydari tells Iranian state TVLet's see what the IRGC has to say about it.
The first sign that the critical maritime chokepoint was partially open came late Wednesday night, when we were among the first toreportthat a China-linked bulk carrier exited the Strait of Hormuz without incident, a notable development given earlier reports and market chatter that Iran might allow only Chinese-linked ships to transit.
Shortly after our report that the Iron Maiden vessel made it through the narrowest part of the waterway unharmed,Bloombergalso reported on the development, noting that the ship had changed its destination signal to "CHINA OWNER."
Earlier this week, Iran's IRGC said that any vessel sailing through the waterway "could be at risk from missiles or rogue drones," according to the semi-official Fars News Agency.
China has urged peace and called for an immediate ceasefire to the U.S.-Israeli Operation Epic Fury to "prevent further escalation of tensions and stop the conflict from spreading and engulfing the entire Middle East."
Everyone knows why China is calling for peace: the Strait of Hormuz and Iran's cheap oil flows have effectively been closed to the world's second-largest economy, and that pressure is likely to be used as leverage by President Trump in his upcoming visit to China.
China Failure To Help Iran Raises Eyebrows Despite Strait Of Hormuz A "Critical Choke Point" For Beijing
China Panics, Urges Ceasefire To Reopen Strait Of Hormuz As Beijing Is Addicted To Cheap Iranian Crude
China Halts Diesel, Gasoline Exports As Paralyzed Hormuz Risks Energy Shock
Source: ZeroHedge News
