New York Times: Chinese companies paid Iran to transit the Strait of Hormuz

What happened: The New York Times reported that some Chinese companies have paid Iran to allow passage through the Strait of Hormuz. The newspaper cited people familiar with intelligence assessments and said Iran permits certain ships that have paid transit fees—or that may be carrying part of Iran’s oil—to pass. ▸ Attribution and additional details: The Times, citing current and former U.S. officials, also reported that Iran controls a fleet of tankers described as a “shadow fleet.” ▸ Uncertainty: The report was described as based on intelligence-related sources and characterized as disputed by those quoted; the original item was relayed via Fars (Telegram).