The submarines are equipped with ten 533 mm torpedo tubes placed in the midsection of the hull due to a large sonar array in the bow.

A Chinese warship harassed a Philippine Naval Vessel near Thitu, the largest Philippine island in the disputed archipelago.

This happened even though Iran said vessels from friendly nations, including China, could pass through the strait.

Some media outlets had reported that a cargo ship carrying material for manufacturing weapons for Israel had docked at the Abu Qir Port in Egypt.

Iran has already been accused of tightening control over the Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20% of the world’s oil supply is transported.

The government did not say how many vessels were involved or what conditions were attached to the clearance.