Iranian Cargo Ship Suspected of Carrying Military Goods from China Detained; China Slams 'Malicious Hype'
The Iranian container ship Touska, which departed from China, was detained by the US military on its way to Iran, suspected of carrying military dual-use materials. China's Foreign Ministry denied the claims, calling it a malicious association.
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- 📰 Published: April 21, 2026 at 17:53
- 🔍 Collected: April 21, 2026 at 18:31 (38 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 28, 2026 at 22:22 (171h 50m after Collected)
The Iranian-flagged container ship Touska, which departed from China, was detained by the US military on April 19 while en route to Iran, on suspicion of carrying supplies for the Iranian military. China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun denied the incident today, identifying the vessel as a 'foreign-owned container ship' and stating that China opposes any malicious associations or hype.
At a regular press conference of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, the detention of the Touska became a focus of media attention. According to Chinese media reports, Guo Jiakun made the remarks in response to media inquiries. In the previous day's press conference, when asked about the ship's cargo, Guo only mentioned that the situation in the Strait of Hormuz is sensitive and complex, expressing concern over the forced interception by the US without specifying the contents of the cargo.
Following the detention, Chinese President Xi Jinping spoke with Saudi Arabia's de facto leader, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Xi advocated for an immediate ceasefire and maintained that the Strait of Hormuz should remain open for normal transit. The Crown Prince expressed willingness to coordinate with China to ensure maritime security and freedom in the area.
According to The Wall Street Journal, the Touska belongs to Rahbaran Omid Darya, a subsidiary of the state-owned Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL), which is under US sanctions for transporting military-related supplies. Reports indicate that the same company used other vessels in 2025 to transport 1,000 tons of raw materials for Iranian missile propellants from China. Maritime security sources noted today that the Touska likely carried 'dual-use' goods as defined by Washington.
At a regular press conference of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, the detention of the Touska became a focus of media attention. According to Chinese media reports, Guo Jiakun made the remarks in response to media inquiries. In the previous day's press conference, when asked about the ship's cargo, Guo only mentioned that the situation in the Strait of Hormuz is sensitive and complex, expressing concern over the forced interception by the US without specifying the contents of the cargo.
Following the detention, Chinese President Xi Jinping spoke with Saudi Arabia's de facto leader, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Xi advocated for an immediate ceasefire and maintained that the Strait of Hormuz should remain open for normal transit. The Crown Prince expressed willingness to coordinate with China to ensure maritime security and freedom in the area.
According to The Wall Street Journal, the Touska belongs to Rahbaran Omid Darya, a subsidiary of the state-owned Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL), which is under US sanctions for transporting military-related supplies. Reports indicate that the same company used other vessels in 2025 to transport 1,000 tons of raw materials for Iranian missile propellants from China. Maritime security sources noted today that the Touska likely carried 'dual-use' goods as defined by Washington.