(Adnkronos) – Italy’s foreign mininster has hailed China’s demand that merchant vessels be allowed to sail freely through the Strait of Hormuz. The critical waterway was effectively closed by Iran in response to US-Israeli strikes since late February which were halted under a fragile ceasfire that began last week.
“It is welcome that China has stated that the Strait of Hormuz must remain open to free navigation and that no party may obstruct it by imposing transit fees,” Tajani told Italian daily Il Giornale in a wide-ranging interview published on Friday.
A day earlier, China’s foreign minister Wang Yi, told Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi that while Iran’s sovereignty and security in the Strait of Hormuz should be respected and safeguarded, freedom and safety of navigation through the waterway should also be guaranteed.
The entire international community was interested in restoring normal navigation in the Strait – a vital oil and fertiliser conduit – and China backs the ceasefire and negotiations, which are in the interests of Iran, the region and the world, Wang said.
The US naval blockade of Iranian ports which entered into force on Monday after peace talks with in Iran in Pakistan broke down is “irresponsible”, China’s foreign ministry stated on Tuesday.
The ministry said the US move would “undermine the already fragile ceasefire agreement” and further jeopardise the safety of ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
Analysts say the move is also designed to pressure China – the biggest buyer of Iranian oil – to encourage Tehran to open the Strait.
Until now, Chinese vessels have been among the few passing through the Strait. It is not clear whether they had to pay a toll to Iran in order to do so.
The US blockade could potentially cut off China’s supply and have far-reaching consequences for its economy, analysts note.
