Chinese state media reported that President Xi Jinping, in a phone call with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, stressed the importance of maintaining normal traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.
The Persian Gulf Waterway Management Authority, a newly established organization by the Islamic Republic for the Strait of Hormuz, posted on X that passage through routes not sanctioned by the authority will not be covered by safe passage guarantees, insurance, or related liabilities. The authority further stated that any consequences resulting from unauthorized routes will be the responsibility of the vessel's owner, operator, and commander.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps targeted a Singapore-flagged cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, according to The Wall Street Journal, citing two senior U.S. officials. The attack damaged the ship but caused no casualties, according to a statement from the British Maritime Trade Operations organization.
Oman is collaborating with the United States to create a secure maritime corridor for ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, bypassing routes controlled by the Islamic Republic of Iran. This move aims to prevent Iran from collecting tolls from commercial ships passing through the strait.
The ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council and the U.S. Secretary of State issued a joint statement emphasizing the need to confront Iranian threats, including ballistic missiles, drones, and support for proxy forces, to achieve regional peace and security. The statement also stressed the importance of free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and outlined conditions for future trade and investment with Iran, contingent upon Iran's adherence to international agreements and cessation of destabilizing behaviors.
