Comment by OgsyedIE
4 days ago
China has been buying Iranian crude and gas for many years, mostly due to simply needing as much as they can get.
The eleven tankers that have so far transited the Strait of Hormuz after the 3rd without being fired upon are all owned by, operated by and delivering to Chinese state-owned companies (AFAIK). The Iranians know they are transiting and are deliberately refraining from shooting, because of the Chinese information support, such as the Mizar-run near-realtime satellite geolocation of parked US aircraft and radars for attack.
This bit I'm adding is speculation but the likely role of the Marine detachment aboard the USS Tripoli which is currently being sent to the Gulf of Oman is to start sinking these China-bound tankers so as to use the offer of not sinking them to coerce China into supporting the reopening of rhe Strait.
There's no need for Marines to sink tankers, an SSN in the Gulf of Oman would do that neatly and deniably.
"You mean to tell me you've lost another tanker? Crazy. Anyway, about this intelligence you're sending Iran..."
Most likely the Marines are heading for Kharg Island.