COSCO ships turn back from Hormuz Strait despite Iran assurances

What: Two Chinese container ships, CSCL Indian Ocean and CSCL Arctic Ocean, turned back from the Hormuz Strait.
Why: The ships reversed course despite Iran's assurance that Chinese vessels could pass through the waterway.
Signal: The incident may signal increased tensions between China and Iran.
Target: The Strait of Hormuz remains a strategic target for global shipping, with over **20%** of global oil exports passing through it.
Risk: The risk of further disruptions to global shipping routes remains high, with the Hormuz Strait being a critical chokepoint.