{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/6583019ebbd71a00175001c8/69de416cae33864715f4a0ef?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"US and China on maritime 'collision course' as first ships try to pass Trump's blockade","thumbnail_width":200,"thumbnail_height":200,"thumbnail_url":"https://open-images.acast.com/shows/6583019ebbd71a00175001c8/1776179266436-3dc47539-eb1e-4196-93c3-bee653c0ccf0.jpeg?height=200","description":"<p>America's naval blockade of Iran is meant to choke Tehran into lifting its own restrictions on the Strait of Hormuz, but will it work and can it be enforced? Former Royal Navy Commander Tom Sharpe joins Roland Oliphant to explain the operational challenges.&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>The first day of the maritime siege has drawn vocal condemnation from&nbsp; Beijing, in the latest sign of growing Chinese involvement in the crisis. Chinese officials were key to persuading Iran to accept the ceasefire. There are claims that Chinese weapons are on their way to re-stock Iranian air defences. Telegraph Asia Correspondent Allegra Mendelson explains China's role in Iran, what it wants from the war, and what would happen if an American warship dared to board a Chinese freighter.&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>CONTRIBUTORS:</p><p><br></p><p>Roland Oliphant, co-host and chief foreign affairs analyst @RolandOliphant</p><p>Tom Sharpe, former Royal Navy Commander and Telegraph columnist @TomSharpe134</p><p>Allegra Mendelson, Asia correspondent @amendelson_ </p><p><br></p><p>CONTENT REFERENCED:</p><p><br></p><p>Connor Stringer and Allegra Menedelson: <a href=\"https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2026/04/08/trump-us-iran-ceasefire-unfolded-pakistan-jd-vance/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">How China helped seal Trump’s 11th hour Iran truce</a></p><p>Tom Sharpe: <a href=\"https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/04/12/trumps-blockade-on-a-blockade-is-possible/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Trump’s blockade on a blockade is possible That doesn’t mean its a good idea</a> </p><p><br></p><p>Producer: Peter Shevlin</p><p>Executive Producer: Louisa Wells</p><p><br></p><p>► Sign up to our most popular newsletter, From the Editor. Look forward to receiving free-thinking comment and the day's biggest stories, every morning.&nbsp;telegraph.co.uk/fromtheeditor</p><p><br></p><p>► EMAIL US: Contact the team on&nbsp;<a href=\"https://open.acast.com/networks/65719504ffda880012bd81a4/shows/6583019ebbd71a00175001c8/episodes/battlelines@telegraph.co.uk%C2%A0\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">battlelines@telegraph.co.uk&nbsp;</a></p><p><br></p><p>► GET THE LATEST HEADLINES: Find all our latest Iran coverage here:&nbsp;<a href=\"https://www.telegraph.co.uk/iran-war/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">https://www.telegraph.co.uk/iran-war/</a></p>","author_name":"The Telegraph"}