Chinese tanker attacked in Strait of Hormuz on May 4, first such incident since Iran war began

A Chinese tanker was attacked in the Strait of Hormuz on May 4, Beijing-based news outlet Caixin reported on Thursday, in the first such incident since the US-Israeli war with Iran began. The vessel was a large oil tanker owned by a Chinese shipowner, the report said. The incident was reported to have occurred off the United Arab Emirates' Al Jeer port and caused a fire on the ship's deck.

China's response

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian told reporters Wednesday that Beijing will continue working for de-escalation of the situation in the Strait of Hormuz and "making utmost effort to protect the safety and security of Chinese ships and crew." "We hope relevant parties will act prudently, avoid further escalation, resolve disputes through dialogue, and restore peace and tranquility in the Strait soon," he said.

Conflict context

On Feb. 28, the US and Israel initiated a war against Iran, triggering retaliation by Tehran across the Middle East, hitting US assets and bases. The Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most critical maritime chokepoints, has witnessed a sharp decline in commercial traffic due to the war, with many operators rerouting ships or avoiding the Gulf over security concerns.

Ongoing tensions

A ceasefire between the US and Iran took effect on April 8 through Pakistani mediation, but talks have failed to produce a lasting agreement. A US naval blockade of Iranian ports remains in place, while Iran has maintained restrictions on shipping through the strait.