China agreed not to supply weapons to Iran: Trump

Vows to permanently reopen Strait of Hormuz

WASHINGTON: United States President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that Beijing has agreed not to supply weapons to Iran, vowing to permanently reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

“China is very happy that I am permanently opening the Strait of Hormuz. I am doing it for them, also — and the world. This situation will never happen again,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.

Trump said that China has “agreed not to send weapons to Iran”, adding that “President Xi [Jinping] will give me a big, fat, hug when I get there in a few weeks.”

His remarks came as Trump is set to travel to Beijing from May 14-15 for a meeting with President Xi Jinping, marking the US president’s first visit to China in his second term.

“We are working together smartly, and very well! Doesn’t that beat fighting? But remember, we are very good at fighting, if we have to — far better than anyone else,” he said.

After US-Iran talks in Islamabad seeking to end the conflict in the Middle East hit an impasse on early Sunday, Trump announced a naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, which took effect at 1400GMT Monday.

Iran says US message exchange via Pakistan continues as Pezeshkian insists Tehran ‘does not seek war’

Trump says war ‘very close to over’ as US shuts down Iran’s maritime trade

Trump, in an interview to be aired today, said the US-Israeli war on Iran is “close to over”.

“I think it’s close to over, yeah. I mean, I view it as very close to over,” Trump told Fox Business anchor Maria Bartiromo when asked if the war is “over”.

A video excerpt of the interview was shared on X.

US President Donald Trump says the war with Iran is “close to over.”

“You know what, if I pulled up stakes right now, it would take them 20 years to rebuild that country, and we’re not finished. We’ll see what happens. I think they want to make a deal very badly,” Trump added. Monitoring Desk