Trump Claims Xi Backs Hormuz Push, But China Stays Silent

CNBC reported Saturday that President Donald Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One that Chinese President Xi Jinping had agreed the Strait of Hormuz must be reopened. Beijing, however, gave no public indication it plans to press Tehran directly.

Trump Returns From Beijing With Cautious Claims

Trump made the comments flying home after two days of meetings in Beijing. He said he was also weighing whether to ease U.S. sanctions on Chinese firms purchasing Iranian crude. China is currently Iran’s largest oil customer. When asked whether Xi had made a firm commitment to push Iran, Trump said he was not seeking favors because doing so requires reciprocating them. Xi did not comment publicly on any Iran discussions.

China’s foreign ministry offered only a broad rebuke of the conflict. It described the war as one that should never have started and has no justification for continuing. That framing stopped well short of any direct pressure on Tehran.

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How the Strait Became the World’s Biggest Oil Chokepoint

Iran effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz after the United States and Israel launched coordinated strikes on Iranian territory on February 28. Before the closure, the strait carried roughly one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas flows. The disruption has triggered what analysts are calling the largest oil supply crisis on record.

Crude oil climbed around 3% on Friday, reaching approximately $109 per barrel. Markets are pricing in little near-term resolution. The U.S. military said 78 commercial vessels had been redirected and four disabled to enforce an American port blockade as of Saturday.

Also Read: Oil Markets Price In Prolonged Conflict Risk as Talks Stall

Iran Signals a Mechanism, Diplomacy Remains Fragile

A senior Iranian parliamentary official said Tehran was preparing a traffic management mechanism for the strait. Only commercial vessels from cooperating parties would be permitted to use it, with fees attached. Iran has said it will not lift restrictions until the U.S. ends its blockade.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said Tehran had received signals that Washington remained open to further talks. Pakistan is currently serving as a go-between for the two governments. Trump, who publicly said this week his patience with Iran was running thin, urged Tehran to reach a deal. He summarized the U.S. position simply: no nuclear weapon, and an open strait.

Negotiations have stalled since last week, when both sides rejected each other’s most recent proposals. Congressional elections in November are adding domestic pressure on Trump to show progress.

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