China Condemns US Seizure of Iranian Ship in Gulf of Oman

JAKARTA - The Chinese government expressed concern over the seizure of an Iranian ship by the United States in the Gulf of Oman.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said his party highlighted the forced interception of the ship.

"We express concern over the forced interception of the ship by the United States," Guo said at a press conference reported by Sputnik, Monday, April 20.

Previously, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed the seizure of the Iranian merchant ship Touska, which was said to be trying to break through the US blockade in the Gulf of Oman.

According to CENTCOM, the ship is now under the control of the United States.

China also called on all parties to abide by the ceasefire, avoid escalation, and create the necessary conditions for the normal resumption of shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

The US Navy began blocking all ship traffic entering and leaving Iranian ports around the Strait of Hormuz since April 13.

The strait is a strategic route that accounts for about 20 percent of the world's oil, petroleum products, and liquefied natural gas shipments.

The US government said non-Iranian vessels could still pass through the strait as long as they did not pay Tehran, while Iranian authorities have not announced an official policy on the planned levy.