A Chinese-owned oil tanker was attacked near the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, marking the first reported strike on a Chinese vessel since the U.S.-Iran conflict began, as the Trump administration reportedly moves to revive its naval escort operation known as “Project Freedom.”
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Chinese media reported that the tanker, whose name has not been publicly disclosed, was clearly marked “CHINA OWNER & CREW” when it came under attack near the strategically vital shipping corridor.
According to reports, the vessel’s deck caught fire during the incident. It remains unclear whether any crew members were injured.
A person familiar with the matter told Chinese outlet Caixin that this was the first known attack targeting a Chinese oil tanker since hostilities escalated between the United States and Iran.
China has remained one of the largest purchasers of Iranian oil despite increasing regional instability and the ongoing U.S. naval blockade operating near the Gulf of Oman.
The attack comes as the United States reportedly prepares to restart President Donald Trump’s maritime security initiative known as “Project Freedom,” according to a report by the Wall Street Journal.
The operation was temporarily disrupted after Saudi Arabia and Kuwait restricted U.S. military use of regional air bases and airspace needed to support naval escort missions through the Strait of Hormuz.
According to the report, both countries have now lifted those restrictions, clearing the way for the United States to resume broader operations designed to protect commercial shipping routes in the Gulf.
The Trump administration has not publicly announced a timetable for restarting the operation.
Project Freedom was initially unveiled as part of the administration’s response to escalating attacks on commercial vessels and efforts by Iran-backed forces to disrupt global energy shipments moving through the Strait of Hormuz, which carries a significant portion of the world’s oil exports.
The latest tanker attack underscores growing concerns over maritime security and the vulnerability of global shipping lanes as regional tensions continue despite ongoing diplomatic negotiations between Washington and Tehran.
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