Two Chinese container vessels have turned back after attempting to leave the Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz, highlighting growing risks to global shipping despite Iran’s assurances of safe passage for friendly nations.

The Hong Kong-flagged ships, CSCL Indian Ocean and CSCL Arctic Ocean, operated by COSCO Shipping, attempted to transit the strait early Friday but reversed course shortly পরে, according to ship-tracking data. The vessels have remained stranded in the Gulf since the outbreak of the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran on February 28.

The aborted محاولة marks the first known attempt by a major global shipping operator to pass through the strategic chokepoint since the الحرب began. Analysts say the ঘটনা underscores that নিরাপদ যাতায়াত এখনো নিশ্চিত নয়, even after Tehran publicly stated that vessels from countries like China could pass unhindered.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi recently said that Iran had permitted passage through Hormuz for “friendly nations,” including China, Russia, India, Iraq and Pakistan. However, Iranian authorities have also warned that ships linked to the United States or Israel could be blocked.

State media in Iran reported that তিনটি জাহাজকে সতর্কবার্তার পর ফিরে যেতে বাধ্য করা হয়েছে by the naval forces of the Revolutionary Guards, though details remain unclear. Tehran has previously launched attacks on Gulf shipping and threatened further action, leaving hundreds of vessels stranded and disrupting key energy exports.

The الأزمة has effectively halted major النفط shipments, including crude exports from Saudi Arabia and liquefied natural gas supplies from Qatar, raising concerns over global energy markets.

Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump said Iran had allowed 10 oil tankers to pass through the strait as a “goodwill gesture” amid ongoing tensions, though there has been no confirmation of such حركة.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi called for peace talks, saying diplomatic efforts would be key to restoring normal navigation through one of the world’s most vital maritime routes.