Donald Trump has announced that the Strait of Hormuz will remain ‘permanently open’ following clandestine discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping. According to Trump, Xi has agreed to cease the supply of arms to Iran.
The former President revealed this update on Truth Social on Wednesday, noting that Xi is expected to warmly embrace him at an upcoming meeting.
“China is thrilled that I am ensuring the permanent openness of the Strait of Hormuz,” Trump stated on Truth Social. “I’m doing it for them and for the world. This situation will not arise again.”
He further added, “They have committed to halting weapon shipments to Iran. President Xi will give me a big, fat hug when we meet in a few weeks.”
“We are collaborating wisely and effectively! Isn’t that better than conflict? BUT ALWAYS REMEMBER, we excel at fighting when necessary—better than anyone else!!!” Trump emphasized.
This announcement follows the breakdown of peace negotiations with Iran’s regime over the weekend, prompting Trump to initiate a naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital corridor through which a significant portion of the world’s oil supply passes.
Trump imposed the blockade to push Tehran back to the negotiating table, with the President reportedly reluctant to resume the bombing campaign which has brought chaos to the Middle East.
It remains unclear whether Trump was declaring the strait open to shipping traffic immediately, or signaling an intent to reach a permanent resolution as peace talks with Iran continue. The Daily Mail has contacted the White House for comment.
Trump has declared the Strait of Hormuz ‘permanently open’ despite his ongoing naval blockade amid growing concerns from China
After peace talks with the Islamic regime collapsed over the weekend, the President launched a naval blockade of Hormuz, a critical oil chokepoint through which roughly a quarter of the world’s supply flows
The President said on Wednesday morning that he is reopening the strait following private discussions with Chinese leader Xi Jinping
The blockade has reportedly put an economic stranglehold over Tehran in hopes they will return to the negotiating table
Trump and Xi are expected to meet for a diplomatic summit in Beijing in mid-May to discuss managing trade tariffs and US access to rare earth minerals.
The summit will be Trump’s first major foreign trip since launching the war against Iran – China’s largest Middle Eastern ally.
China, along with Russia, has assisted Iran throughout the five-week war by providing satellite imagery and intelligence used to help target US military bases with ballistic missiles and suicide drones.
In the last 24-hours, the US military has blocked six oil tankers from moving through the strait.
The Pentagon, meanwhile, is preparing to send 6,000 more troops to the region aboard the USS George HW Bush and several other warships.
Beijing has been critical of Trump’s blockade with Xi Jinping calling it ‘dangerous and irresponsible’ while noting the world must not ‘revert to the law of the jungle.’
After Trump launched the war, Iran retaliated by choking off traffic through the Strait with swarms of explosive speedboats, drones, and naval mines.
Tehran has also sought to impose de facto tolls on passing oil tankers, allowing favored partners like China and India to transit more freely while pressuring Western vessels.
It comes as the Pentagon is preparing to send thousands of new troops to the Middle East, according to the Washington Post
Some 6,000 troops aboard several warships are expected to arrive near the end of the month. Above, an F/A-18E Super Hornet launching from USS Abraham Lincoln
The economic fallout has driven gas prices sharply higher and fueled inflation across the US, with the national average climbing to around $4.10 a gallon as crude oil prices hover above $100 per barrel.
Trump indicated on Wednesday morning that the war may come to a peaceful resolution within the next 48-hours.
The President said ‘you’re going to be watching an amazing two days ahead’ as he teased a forthcoming deal in a phone call with ABC News.
‘They really do have a different regime now. No matter what, we took out the radicals. They’re gone, no longer with us,’ Trump said.
‘If I weren’t President, the world would be torn to pieces.’
Negotiations fell apart earlier this weekend over US demands that Iran fully abandon its nuclear ambitions.
Washington pushed for Tehran to halt all uranium enrichment for 20 years and hand over its entire stockpile.
