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In a bold declaration on Wednesday, President Trump asserted that the Strait of Hormuz will be “permanently” opened, a strategic move that reportedly pleases China. According to Trump, this decision is part of an understanding with Beijing, which has agreed to cease sending weapons to Iran in return.
However, the president’s announcement raises several questions. Only earlier this week, a blockade was imposed on ships navigating to and from Iranian ports, adding to the complexity of the situation. Historically, Iran itself had curtailed traffic through the strait amid ongoing conflict.
Taking to Truth Social, Trump stated, “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,” emphasizing the global impact of his decision just before U.S. markets opened.
He further elaborated, “They [China] have agreed not to send weapons to Iran. President Xi will give me a big, fat, hug when I get there in a few weeks. We are working together smartly, and very well!” expressing optimism about the collaboration between the two nations.
Meanwhile, the U.S. military reported that it had diverted six merchant vessels and effectively ceased trade operations from Iran’s ports, showcasing the immediate consequences of America’s strategic maneuvers.
The Chinese have recently voiced both sides to end hostilities and open the strait where they get much of their energy supplies.
The Hill has reached out to the White House for clarification on whether the president was opening the lane only for China or if he is allowing ships flagged to other countries.
Trump’s Truth Social post echoes comments he made earlier in an interview with Fox Business’ Maria Bartiromo on “Mornings with Maria,” in which he said Chinese President Xi Jinping denied that he was supplying weapons to Iran.
“He just wrote me a beautiful letter,” Trump said, saying Xi was responding to a letter he wrote because he heard China was supplying Iran with weapons.
“I wrote him a letter asking him not to do that, and he wrote me a letter saying essentially he’s not doing that,” he said.
The president’s comments come after reports surfaced earlier this week U.S. intelligence agencies received information in recent weeks suggesting that Beijing may have sent a shipment of missiles to Tehran. The New York Times reported that the intelligence is not definitive, and that there is no evidence that Chinese missiles have been used against American or Israeli forces during the conflict.
Trump also addressed a China-linked cyber attack into an internal agency system, which the FBI deemed earlier this month “a major incident.”
“We do it to them. They do it to us. We do it to them,” Trump said. “It is what it is. China’s China. They’re never easy, but we’re doing great with China. I’m the toughest person on China anywhere in the world.”