Iranian authorities have communicated that they have forced two other oil tankers to turn back when they were trying to cross the Strait of Hormuz from the Persian Gulf, after the Iranian Navy announced on Saturday the complete closure of this strategically important maritime passage.
According to the Iranian news agency Tasnim, linked to the Revolutionary Guard, it concerns two vessels flying the flags of Botswana and Angola that "were forced to change course and withdraw due to the timely intervention of the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran".
In parallel, the Consulate General of Iran in Bombay has pointed out that the navigation of a Chinese-flagged bulk carrier, the 'Sun Profit', "owned and crewed by Chinese citizens," has also not been permitted.
"Contrary to what is usually believed, Iran has not given a blank check to Chinese ships," the Iranian diplomatic representation in Bombay has underlined in a message disseminated through social networks.
Tehran announced on Saturday the total closure of the Strait of Hormuz and has made it clear that it will only allow maritime traffic again when the United States withdraws the blockade imposed on Iranian ports and the surrounding area of the strait. This escalation takes place in the final days of the two-week ceasefire agreed between the United States and Iran, which concludes on Wednesday.