New US warning over Strait of Hormuz 'tollbooth'
The United States is warning shipping companies that they could face sanctions for making payments to Iran to safely pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
The alert by the US Office of Foreign Assets Control adds another layer of pressure in the standoff between the US and Iran over control of the Strait of Hormuz.

Approximately one-fifth of the world’s oil and natural gas trade usually flows through the strategic strait at the entrance of the Persian Gulf during times of peace. This vital passage is crucial for maintaining global energy supply lines.

A tanker, left, and a car carrier are anchored at sea in the Gulf of Oman near the Strait of Hormuz.(AP)

China’s UN envoy urges Iran to lift restrictions

On Friday, Fu Cong, China’s ambassador to the United Nations, emphasized the critical importance of sustaining the current ceasefire. He highlighted the need to bring conflicting parties back to sincere negotiations, with the ultimate goal of reopening the Strait of Hormuz. According to Fu, this is the most pressing issue that demands immediate attention.

Fu also noted that China’s Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, has been diligently engaging in discussions with representatives from all sides. Wang Yi’s efforts aim to support dialogue and resolution, and Fu mentioned that China stands behind Pakistan’s initiatives to mediate between the conflicting parties.

Furthermore, Fu pointed out that the profound suffering experienced by Iran and its neighboring countries, as well as the escalating turmoil in the global economy—particularly affecting developing nations—stems from what he described as an “illegitimate war” initiated by the United States and Israel. He underscored the necessity of addressing these root causes to alleviate the regional crisis.

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