'A net positive': Chinese supertanker glides through Hormuz blockade as White House touts 'good' talks in Beijing * WorldNetDaily * by Daily Caller News Foundation

Summary

The Chinese supertanker Yuan Hua Hu sailed through the Strait of Hormuz while laden with crude oil on Wednesday. The vessel traversed the strait as President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are meeting in China this week to negotiate on trade, the Strait of Hormuz and Taiwan. The ship had been stranded in the Strait of Hormuz for over two months, as the Iran War continues to strangle international shipping through the strait. Get the hottest, most important news stories on the Internet – delivered FREE to your inbox as soon as they break! Take just 30 seconds and sign up for WND's Email News Alerts! The supertanker has over 2 million barrels of crude oil on board and is heading to China’s Zhoushan port, according to Reuters, citing Kpler ship-tracking data. The tanker has exited the Gulf of Oman and is now sailing through the Arabian Sea, according to tracking data from MarineTraffic.com. The Yuan Hua Hu is not only Chinese-owned, but it also sails under the flag of China, according to tracking data from MarineTraffic.com. It is not uncommon for oil tankers and other shipping vessels to sail under the flags of nations other than those of their owners. The practice of flying the flag of a country other than the country of ownership is called a flag of convenience (FOC). “An FOC registry offers shipowners cheap registration fees, and low or no taxes,” according to the International Transport Workers’ Federation. Some economic experts told the Daily Caller News Foundation that this is a net positive for the global economy. “At this point, and because the oil market is global, any energy getting out of the region is a net positive,” E.J. Antoni, the Heritage Foundation’s chief economist at the Thomas A. Roe Institute, told the DCNF. “At the moment, it seems more likely that China and Iran are securing their own trade as opposed to a broader reopening of the waterway. Due to the global nature of the oil market, closing the strait has not only affected nations like China, whose imports previously flowed through that region, but everyone else.” The Department of State did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Some economists told the DCNF that the Strait of Hormuz is a key vulnerability for China. “China reportedly gets over 40% of its oil from Iran through the Strait, so it’s very important to China — when it flows,” J.D. Foster, a former senior fellow in the economics of fiscal policy at the Heritage Foundation, told the DCNF. “Iran has no leverage since the oil isn’t flowing and Iran needs the money. “Moreover, Iran was selling the oil to China because few others … would buy it,” Foster added. “The U.S. has a little leverage with China, but China understands this is almost certainly a short-term problem.” As the U.S. blockade on Iranian ports and vessels continues, Iran risks permanent damage to its oil wells. “Iran would soon find an excuse to end the dueling blockades because they are rapidly running out of storage capacity for the oil they are still pumping,” Foster told the DCNF. “When storage is exhausted, they can either continue pumping into open spaces thereby polluting their lands and waterways, end the blockade to get the oil shipped, or shut down their wells. Trouble is, shutting down a traditional oil well generally does enormous damage to the well, slowing or even curtailing its future production.” The DCNF previously reported on the issues that surround overflowing oil storage, including loss of oil pressure in wells, paraffin wax that can clog pipelines and environmental hazards. ‘Trump Had A Good Meeting’ As the vessel continues on its voyage, Trump and Xi continue to negotiate on the Strait of Hormuz. A White House official told the DCNF that the meeting has been “good” so far. “President Trump had a good meeting with President Xi of China,” the White House official told the DCNF. “The two sides discussed ways to enhance economic cooperation between our two countries, including expanding market access for American businesses into China and increasing Chinese investment into our industries … President Xi also made clear China’s opposition to the militarization of the Strait and any effort to charge a toll for its use, and he expressed interest in purchasing more American oil to reduce China’s dependence on the Strait in the future. Both countries agreed that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon.” “It seems likely this passage by a Chinese flagged VLCC represents an olive branch by President Trump to Xi Jinping as their summit convened in Beijing,” energy public policy analyst David Blackmon told the DCNF. “China, which has been heavily reliant on Persian Gulf crude to meet its energy needs, has been hit harder than most other nations by the standoff over the Strait of Hormuz.” The Yuan Hua Hu is owned by COSCO Shipping Energy Transportation, according to the company’s fleet website, which classifies the ship as a very large crude carrier. “Many Asian countries, including China, are already importing oil from other sources, like the U.S. We are currently draining the strategic petroleum reserve at a record rate and sending almost all of it to Asia,” Antoni told the DCNF. “While it is viable to continue this for a few more weeks, it is not by any means a long-term solution. Increasing production, which will take time, is the only answer for replacing oil that previously came from the Gulf.” The U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve has decreased by nearly 9 million barrels in the last two months, according to tradingeconomics.com. The Strait of Hormuz could become irrelevant in the future, but that is not likely to happen anytime soon, Foster told the DCNF. “Far more likely is that China will help finance alternative pipeline routes to bypass the Strait,” Foster told the DCNF. “In any event, there are no short-term alternatives of note.” The vessel departed from Iraq’s Al Basrah Port; it is not beholden to the current limitations enforced by the U.S. blockade on vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz based on statements from U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM). “The blockade will be enforced impartially against vessels of all nations entering or departing Iranian ports and coastal areas, including all Iranian ports on the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman,” CENTCOM said in a press release on April 12. “CENTCOM forces will not impede freedom of navigation for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz to and from non-Iranian ports.” The COSCO website also lists the deadweight tonnage of the vessel on the website as over 300,000 tons. Deadweight tonnage includes cargo, fuel, fresh water, ballast water, crew, provisions, and stores and equipment. “Most analysts seem to be seriously underestimating all the knock-on effects of this conflict and the disruptions it has caused to global oil markets,” Antoni told the DCNF. “Things are going to get worse before they get better, and the impact goes far beyond energy.” Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience. For licensing opportunities of our original content, please contact [email protected].

Perspectives

Iranian Official

In a bold assertion of its sovereign control over the Strait of Hormuz, Iran has facilitated the passage of the Chinese supertanker Yuan Hua Hu carrying over 2 million barrels of crude oil, defying foreign aggression and attempts to strangle regional shipping amid the ongoing Iran War. This move underscores Tehran's resistance to U.S.-led blockades and external interference, even as Presidents Trump and Xi negotiate trade and strait access in China. The vessel's safe transit to Zhoushan highlights Iran's commitment to strategic partnerships that challenge imperialist dominance.

Israeli

The transit of the Chinese supertanker Yuan Hua Hu through the Strait of Hormuz after prolonged Iranian disruptions highlights Tehran's ongoing campaign to weaponize vital energy chokepoints via its proxy networks and naval forces. From Israel's vantage, such aggression represents an existential threat, risking supply shocks and emboldening encirclement by Iran-backed actors from Gaza to Lebanon and Yemen. Defensive necessity compels robust deterrence and allied coordination to safeguard maritime freedom against these calculated Iranian moves.

Neutral

A Chinese-flagged supertanker, the Yuan Hua Hu, transited the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday carrying over 2 million barrels of crude oil and has since entered the Arabian Sea, according to vessel-tracking data cited by Reuters and MarineTraffic. The vessel is reported to be bound for China’s Zhoushan port. Its passage occurred during a meeting in China between U.S. and Chinese leaders that included discussion of trade, the Strait of Hormuz, and Taiwan; claims that the ship had been stranded for two months due to an “Iran War” remain unverified in the provided material.

Western

The Chinese supertanker Yuan Hua Hu has completed its transit of the Strait of Hormuz carrying over 2 million barrels of crude oil, exiting into the Arabian Sea en route to Zhoushan after a prolonged delay amid the Iran conflict. This movement highlights ongoing Western-led efforts to neutralize Iranian threats and maintain freedom of navigation in the vital chokepoint, even as U.S. and Chinese leaders convene on trade, energy security, and regional stability.

Sources

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US-Iran Peace Deal Live: Iranian President to visit Pakistan on Tuesday as peace talks yield 60-day roadmap

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Advertisement US-Iran peace deal US-Iran Peace Deal Live: Iranian President to visit Pakistan on Tuesday as peace talks yield 60-day roadmap New Delhi,UPDATED: Jun 22, 2026 19:20 IST US-Iran Peace Deal News Live Updates: US-Iran diplomacy gained momentum after a marathon round of talks in Switzerland produced what mediators Pakistan and Qatar described as a roadmap for a final agreement within 60 days.

US Vice President JD Vance said Tehran had agreed to allow nuclear inspectors into the country and work on mechanisms covering frozen Iranian assets, regional ceasefires and the Strait of Hormuz. Vance said discussions on nuclear inspections could begin as early as this week, while technical teams will remain engaged even after Iran's top negotiators returned to Tehran following 18 hours of intensive negotiations.

The talks also established a communication channel to help ensure safe commercial shipping through Strait of Hormuz and a mechanism aimed at preventing renewed fighting in Lebanon between Israel and Hezbollah. Despite the diplomatic progress, tensions remained visible.

Iran had briefly closed the Strait of Hormuz over the weekend, accusing the United States of failing to uphold commitments to halt fighting in Lebanon. However, mediators said discussions were held in a constructive atmosphere and yielded encouraging progress.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is set to visit Pakistan on Tuesday in a trip expected to focus on bilateral cooperation and follow-up discussions on Islamabad's mediation efforts. Meanwhile, a fragile ceasefire in Lebanon largely held, marking the longest lull in violence in three months of conflict.

Lebanese officials reported near-total adherence to the truce despite isolated incidents, while Israeli leaders insisted any final agreement must ensure Iran cannot use future financial relief to support military activities or regional proxy groups.

Follow IndiaToday.in for the latest updates....Read More Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is expected to arrive in Pakistan on a one-day visit on Tuesday. (File Photo: Press TV) 2 Jun 22, 2026 19:20 IST US-Iran Deal: Iranian President to visit Pakistan Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian will make a one-day visit to Pakistan on Tuesday, Iranian officials said.

Habib Abbasi, director-general of public relations at the presidential office, said the trip will focus on implementing previous agreements and exploring new trade opportunities. Pezeshkian is also expected to "express appreciation" for Pakistan's role in mediating between Iran and the United States, according to Tasnim news agency.

Jun 22, 2026 19:14 IST US-Iran Deal: Here's what happened so far - US Vice President JD Vance said talks with Iran made significant progress, with Tehran agreeing to allow nuclear inspectors, establish mechanisms for handling frozen assets and support efforts to manage regional ceasefires.

- Speaking after negotiations in Switzerland, Vance said discussions on nuclear inspections could begin as early as this week and confirmed that technical talks would continue in the coming days and weeks. - Iran’s senior negotiating team departed Switzerland for Tehran after 18 hours of intensive discussions, while technical experts remained behind to continue work on the Islamabad memorandum of understanding.

- Pakistan and Qatar, which mediated the talks, said Washington and Tehran agreed on a roadmap aimed at reaching a final agreement within 60 days and described the first round of negotiations as encouraging. - The two sides also agreed to establish a mechanism to help prevent clashes in Lebanon and create a communications channel to safeguard commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global oil supplies.

- The talks followed an interim agreement reached last week and continued despite renewed tensions after President Donald Trump threatened military action against Iran and Tehran warned Washington over its rhetoric. - Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is scheduled to visit Pakistan on Tuesday for a one-day trip.

Iranian officials said he would discuss bilateral cooperation and express appreciation for Islamabad’s role in facilitating US-Iran diplomacy. - A ceasefire in Lebanon largely held on Monday, marking the longest period of relative calm in nearly three months of conflict between Hezbollah and Israel, although isolated incidents were still reported.

- Lebanese security officials said adherence to the ceasefire had been "almost total" since Saturday evening, despite reports of limited Israeli military activity in southern Lebanon and drone flights over Beirut. - The conflict in Lebanon has remained a major test for the interim US-Iran agreement, with Tehran previously accusing Washington of failing to ensure an end to hostilities and briefly reimposing restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz.

- Vance said progress had also been made toward reducing tensions in Lebanon, while negotiators worked to establish safeguards aimed at preventing future escalation. - Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said Tehran had secured waivers for oil and petrochemical exports, the release of some frozen assets and the launch of a reconstruction and development programme under the broader diplomatic framework.

- Oil prices, which surged after tensions disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, fell further after the latest round of talks, easing concerns about global supply disruptions. - Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif described the negotiations as constructive and said the first round of talks had concluded successfully, laying the groundwork for a broader peace agreement.

- Israeli officials signalled support for a diplomatic resolution but stressed that any final deal must ensure Iran cannot use financial relief or released assets to fund military activities or regional proxy groups.

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