US Employs Sea Drones As Strikes Escalate In Strait Of Hormuz
In addition to a night of renewed US strikes on Iran, the American military's Central Command reports that its forces targeted a submarine and ship maintenance facility in the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas using sea drones, which marks a first in American combat weapons technology. Three Corsair drones reportedly hit the port naval base. Iran has also claimed hits on at least two commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz.(Video by RFE/RL's Radio Farda and Will Tizard)
China Urges Restraint In Middle East As War Fallout Damages Fuel, AI Sectors
- By Colin Hood
Beijing has called on all sides of the war in Iran to “avoid escalating the conflict” amid fresh strikes as China's crude oil imports hit a 10-year low and helium shortages threaten its AI chip manufacturing.
The United States and Iran have escalated strikes as Washington prepares to reinstate a naval blockade against all maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz on July 14.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian told reporters on July 14 that China will “make unremitting efforts to cool and stabilize” the situation in the Middle East.
During an emergency briefing of the UN Security Council on July 13, China’s deputy ambassador to the UN, Sun Lei, called on both Washington and Tehran to “resume follow-up negotiations” in an attempt to end hostilities.
Sun added that “resuming safe and free passage in the strait at an early date serves the interests of all sides."
China has maintained a consistent line of de-escalation since US and Israeli strikes hit Iran on February 28.
Since then, Beijing has played a moderating role largely behind the scenes, working closely with Pakistan, a close ally, as well as Persian Gulf states.
The disruption to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has taken its toll on China's economy.
Before the war, around 20 percent of global oil trade passed through the chokepoint, and Beijing purchased 80 percent of Iranian shipped oil.
Beijing's Commerce Ministry scrambled to mitigate shortages by banning helium exports on July 10 as strikes intensified. Qatar, which provides China with more than half of its supply of helium, has seen exports interrupted since the war began.
Imports of crude oil have slumped 41.3 percent, their lowest point in a decade.
Fuel export restrictions, in operation from March to protect domestic supply, had damaged local industry and put pressure on Asian markets, where China is a major supplier of refined oil products.
Reuters reported on July 8 that China had lifted export restrictions for the rest of July to normalize supply lines. Hours later, US President Donald Trump told reporters at the NATO summit in Ankara that the peace agreement with Iran was “over” following renewed strikes.
Jordan Says Downs Iranian Ballistic Missiles Targeting US Base
The government of Jordan said it intercepted four Iranian ballistic missiles targeting a US air base in the country after a warning by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) that Amman dismantle American bases in the kingdom.
Jordanian state media quoted a government statement as saying the missiles were shot down on July 14 after they entered the country's airspace.
The IRGC confirmed the attack in a statement released through the Fars news agency, though it added that the strikes were not intended to harm Jordanians.
"You know very well that not only do we not have any enmity with your country, but we also love you, the noble people, who understand the pain and oppression of the Palestinian people more than any other nation," the IRGC said in the statement.
There were no immediate reports of casualties from falling debris after the missiles were shot down.
US Military Says Naval Blockade Against Iran To Resume At 4 P.M. Eastern Time
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said a naval blockade against all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports will be reinstated from 4 p.m. Eastern Time on July 14.
"CENTCOM forces will enforce the blockade against vessels transiting to or from Iranian ports and coastal areas. The U.S. military continues to support traffic flow through regional waters for all vessels not violating the blockade," CENTCOM said in a statement.
The move comes after President Donald Trump said on July 13 that US forces would become the "Guardian Angel" of the Strait of Hormuz, where Iran has struck commercial vessels in recent days.
The UK maritime security agency UKMTO reported another tanker being struck by a missile while transiting the strait near Oman's coast on July 14.