Trump Claims Strait of Hormuz Opening Benefits China

(SeaPRwire) –   The U.S. President has declared the “permanent” reopening of the waterway, citing an alleged agreement from Beijing to cease weapon shipments to Iran.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced the opening of the Strait of Hormuz, stating his decision was prompted by China’s agreement to refrain from supplying weapons to Iran.

Trump had initially declared a blockade of the crucial waterway on Sunday, following the collapse of Pakistani-mediated peace negotiations with Iran. By Tuesday, U.S. Central Command confirmed that American warships had successfully halted all Iranian commercial traffic through the strait.

However, on Wednesday, Trump posted on Truth Social, asserting that “China is very happy that I am permanently opening the Strait of Hormuz.” He further commented, “I am doing it for them, also – and the World.”

Trump proceeded to claim that Beijing had “agreed not to send weapons to Iran,” and predicted that Chinese President Xi Jinping “will give me a big, fat, hug when I get there in a few weeks.”

Trump’s state visit to China is scheduled for May 14, with President Xi Jinping anticipated to make a reciprocal visit to Washington at a subsequent time.

China has not yet responded to the U.S. leader’s recent statement regarding the strait’s reopening, though it had previously and consistently refuted claims of offering any military assistance to Iran.

Furthermore, Beijing had on Tuesday criticized Washington’s blockade of Iranian vessels as “dangerous and irresponsible” conduct.

Iran had previously closed the Strait of Hormuz to “enemy ships” following the U.S.-Israeli bombing campaign initiated on February 28. Tehran has since asserted its demand for recognition of its “sovereignty” over the waterway and the authority to levy tolls.