BEIJING: China has firmly denied allegations that a vessel intercepted by the United States in the Middle East was carrying a “gift” from Beijing to Iran, rejecting remarks made by Donald Trump and calling the claims baseless.
Speaking on Wednesday, China’s foreign ministry reiterated its stance a day after Trump suggested that the Iranian-flagged ship seized by US forces contained cargo sent from China to Iran. The US president described the alleged shipment as “not very nice,” implying it could be linked to sensitive or military-related materials.
The controversy stems from an operation in the Gulf of Oman, where US forces boarded and seized the vessel identified as M/V Touska. According to the US Central Command (CENTCOM), the ship was en route to Iran’s key port of Bandar Abbas when it was intercepted.
The situation escalated further after former US ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley claimed on social media that the vessel had originated from China and was potentially linked to shipments of chemicals that could be used in missile development.
Responding to these accusations, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun dismissed the claims during a regular press briefing, describing the vessel as “a foreign container ship” and rejecting what he termed “malicious association and speculation.”
“As a responsible major country, China has consistently fulfilled its international obligations and set a positive example,” Guo said, reiterating Beijing’s denial when asked specifically about Trump’s remarks.
Trump, meanwhile, expressed surprise at the alleged development, noting that he believed there had been an “understanding” with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Just a week earlier, Trump had stated that Xi assured him China would not supply weapons to Iran.
Despite its close strategic ties with Iran, China has maintained a delicate position amid rising regional tensions. While Beijing has criticised US and Israeli military actions against Iran as unlawful, it has also condemned attacks targeting Gulf nations and emphasised the importance of keeping vital shipping routes open.
Details released by CENTCOM indicate that US naval forces used warning measures before taking action against the vessel. The guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance reportedly fired multiple rounds from its five-inch gun to disable the ship’s propulsion system after ordering the crew to evacuate the engine room.
The interception comes at a time of heightened instability in the region, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz – a crucial maritime corridor through which a significant portion of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas supplies pass, according to AFP.
The waterway has faced intermittent closures since the outbreak of the broader Middle East conflict. Iran briefly reopened the strait following a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon but shut it again shortly afterwards, citing continued US restrictions on vessels linked to Iranian ports.
The latest incident is likely to deepen tensions between Washington and Beijing while adding another layer of uncertainty to an already volatile regional security environment.
