Two Chinese container ships were forced to change course after trying to exit the Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz on Friday. This happened despite earlier assurances from Iran that such vessels could pass safely.

The ships — CSCL Indian Ocean and CSCL Arctic Ocean — are Hong Kong-flagged and operated by China’s state-owned COSCO.

Ships Reverse Course Mid-Transit

According to ship-tracking data, both vessels attempted to pass through the strait at 0350 GMT. However, they turned back shortly after starting the journey.

These ships had remained in the Gulf since the US-Israel conflict with Iran began on February 28. Their failed attempt marked the first known effort by a major shipping company to cross the strait since the conflict escalated.

Uncertainty Over Safe Passage

Analysts say the incident shows that safe movement through the strait cannot be guaranteed. Kpler analyst Rebecca Gerdes said, “safe passage could not be guaranteed."

She further added, “The new developments suggest the situation remains highly unstable."

Iran’s Earlier Assurances

Earlier in the week, Iran had signalled that it would allow certain countries to use the route.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had said that Iran “permitted passage through the Strait of Hormuz for friendly nations including China, Russia, India, Iraq, and Pakistan."

IRGC Turns Back Ships

However, the situation changed on Friday. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards reported that they had turned back three ships attempting to pass through the strait.

“This morning, following the lies of the corrupt US president claiming that the Strait of Hormuz was open, three container ships of different nationalities… were turned back after a warning from the IRGC Navy," the Guards said.

They also warned that ships linked to countries seen as allies of the US or Israel would not be allowed to pass.

Movements to or from ports belonging to “allies and supporters of the Zionist-American enemies" were restricted, they added.

Strategic Importance of the Strait

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the most important global shipping routes. It carries nearly 20% of the world’s oil and gas supplies under normal conditions.

Recently, Iran allowed 26 vessels to pass through the strait. These ships mainly belonged to countries like Greece, China, India, Pakistan, and Syria. They used a specific route near Larak Island, often called the “Tehran toll booth” in shipping circles.