Trump says China wants Hormuz open; he is losing patience with Iran

ABOARD AIR FORCE ONE/DUBAI: U.S. President Donald Trump said he was losing patience with Iran and claimed that China’s President Xi Jinping agreed Iran should reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

However, China did not confirm Trump’s statement.

After talks in Beijing on May 15, Trump said he was thinking about lifting U.S. sanctions on Chinese companies that buy Iranian oil. China is the largest buyer of Iran’s oil. However, it was unclear if China would pressure Iran to end the conflict.

Trump said he was not asking China for help, adding that Iran’s military had mostly been destroyed and only minor action might still be needed.

China did not publicly comment on Trump’s claims but said the conflict should never have started and should end.

Iran had blocked most shipping through the Strait of Hormuz after U.S.-Israeli attacks began in late February, disrupting global energy supplies. The U.S. later stopped its attacks but imposed a blockade on Iranian ports. Iran said it would reopen the Strait only if the blockade ends. Trump warned he could attack again if no deal is reached.

Trump said the U.S. wants Iran to stop pursuing nuclear weapons and reopen the Strait. Iran’s foreign minister said talks with the U.S. were ongoing and hoped for a solution to restore normal shipping.

Iran denies trying to build nuclear weapons but has refused to stop its nuclear work or give up its enriched uranium, frustrating Trump. He warned he would not wait much longer for a deal.

Oil prices rose amid concerns about the conflict, and U.S. Treasury yields increased as markets expected possible interest rate hikes amid inflationary pressures.

After the talks, the White House said China opposes any move by Iran to charge fees for using the Strait.