China's first Type 054B frigate the Luohe, commissioned into the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy one month earlier, has recently conducted a live-fire combat training in the Yellow Sea.
The training started with frigate Luohe conducting navigation exercise under complex sea conditions. As the crew members worked closely to flexibly adjust the course and speed, the ship maintained the intended heading.
In response to a slew of simulated hostile situations, the crew members quickly rushed to their respective battle stations and the orders were given according to the battlefield situation.
Following the immediate activation of the air defense system, the secondary turrets accurately intercepted the incoming targets and then the main turrets began their naval firepower training.
The coordination formed a crossfire covering both short and long ranges, with the main turrets engaging in attacks while the Close-in Weapon System defending the ship against small targets from sea surface.
"The new equipment brought new challenges and new missions to us. We are responsible for and are confident in speeding up the formation of combat capabilities of the first Type 054B frigate through live-fire combat training," said Song Wei, a crew member.
Frigate Luohe was commissioned in the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy on Jan 22 at a military port in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province.
The Luohe, designated hull number "545," has a displacement of approximately 5,000 tons. This new-generation frigate, independently developed and built by China, is noted for breakthroughs in stealth technology, combat command systems and firepower integration, with significantly enhanced overall performance.
China's newly commissioned frigate conducts real-combat training at Yellow Sea
The Navy of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) said that the Strait of Hormuz has been blocked since Saturday evening and will not reopen until the United States lifts its naval blockade on the waterway.
In a statement carried by its official news outlet Sepah News, the IGRC said that the move came after the United States violated its commitments under the two-week ceasefire, which took effect on April 8, and failed to end its naval blockade against Iranian vessels and ports.
The IRGC Navy called on all vessels and their owners to follow official updates via its channel and VHF Channel 16, the international maritime distress, safety, and calling frequency. The statements by U.S. President Donald Trump hold no credibility in the strait and the Gulf, it added.
The IRGC warned that no vessel should move from its anchorage in the Gulf or the Gulf of Oman, and any approach to the strait would be deemed "cooperation with the enemy" and targeted accordingly.
Tehran's political leadership echoed the IRGC's firm position. Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf asserted that the Strait of Hormuz is under Iran's control, revealing that during previous negotiations, Iran had firmly countered U.S. attempts to carry out minesweeping operations, which Tehran viewed as a ceasefire violation.
He said the situation had come close to conflict, but the U.S. had eventually backed off.
Calling the U.S. maritime blockade "reckless and ignorant," Ghalibaf warned that passage through the strait would certainly be restricted if Washington does not lift the blockade.
Underpinning these public announcements, Iran's Supreme National Security Council on Saturday affirmed the country's resolve to exercise control and supervision over traffic through the Strait of Hormuz until the war is definitively ended and lasting peace is achieved in the region.
For its part, the United States pressed ahead with its own military measures.
The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a statement on Saturday that the U.S. military is imposing a maritime blockade on ships entering and exiting Iranian ports and nearby coastal areas. Since the blockade began on April 13, 23 ships have complied with U.S. directions to turn around.
Meanwhile, the U.S. military is preparing in the coming days to board Iran-linked oil tankers and seize commercial ships in international waters, The Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday, citing U.S. officials.
The move will enable the U.S. to take control of Iran-linked vessels around the world, including ships carrying Iranian oil that are already sailing outside the Persian Gulf and those carrying arms that could support Tehran, the report said.
Iran's IRGC says Strait of Hormuz blocked, demands end to US naval blockade
