Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Guo Jiakun expressed “concern” about the U.S. seizure of the Iranian containership Touska on Sunday, April 19. “We are concerned over the U.S.’s forcible interception of the vessel and hope that relevant parties will honor the ceasefire agreement in a responsible manner, avoid aggravating disputes and escalating tensions, and provide necessary conditions for the restoration of normal passage through the Strait,” Guo told reporters on April 20.
Later, Reuters put out a report citing unnamed security sources claiming that the ship was carrying cargo deemed “dual use” by the U.S. after a voyage from Asia. The sources did not go into details on the items. Reuters notes that U.S. Central Command has listed metals, pipes and electronic components among other goods that could have a military as well as an industrial use and could be captured. The ship belongs to Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL), which the U.S. sanctioned in 2019, describing it as “the preferred shipping line for Iranian proliferators and procurement agents,” which allegedly included transporting items intended for Iran’s ballistic missile program.
