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news Scmp World 2026-04-18

Iran's maneuvering raises questions about Strait of Hormuz's stability

Chinese analysts suggest Iran may be using the shutdown and reopening of the Strait of Hormuz as a tactic to gain negotiating leverage with the United States.


The shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz only hours after its reopening is a tactic by Iran to gain leverage over the United States before possible negotiations, according to Chinese analysts. With the clock counting down to the end of a two-week ceasefire with the US on Wednesday, a deal with Washington was still possible and the likelihood of Tehran imposing a toll on the waterway was low, they added. The assessment came as the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced on Saturday that...

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