‘China helps support Iranian regime’: Nikki Haley says US seized ship linked to missile chemical shipments

US politician Nikki Haley claimed on Tuesday that Chinese ships seized by the US in the Strait of Hormuz were heading to Iran to help “support” the regime.“The ship seized by the United States this weekend in the Strait of Hormuz was bound for Iran from China and was related to a shipment of missile chemicals. It refuses repeated orders to stop,” Haley said in a post on X.“This is yet another reminder that China is helping to support the Iranian regime — a reality that cannot be ignored,” she added.On this occasion, the United States has blocked the strait, and US-Iran negotiations remain at a deadlock. The U.S. Navy intercepted the Iranian-flagged cargo ship during an operation in the Gulf of Oman. Reuters quoted maritime security sources as saying that early assessments indicated that the ship may be carrying “dual-use” materials, such as metals, pipes and electronic components that can be used for both civilian and military purposes.The ship was identified as tuska The ship, linked to the sanctioned Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines, was boarded by U.S. forces near the Iranian port of Chabahar on Sunday. According to MarineTraffic data, its last transmitted position was at 1308 GMT. U.S. Central Command said the ship was halted after it failed to respond to multiple warnings for six hours and was sailing in violation of a U.S.-imposed blockade.Iran strongly condemned the action, calling it “armed piracy” and said the ship was sailing from China, while warning of possible retaliation despite concerns about civilians on board. China also responded by urging all parties to exercise restraint, avoid escalation and abide by the ceasefire agreement.