US President Donald Trump said China has expressed willingness to support diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving tensions involving Iran and reopening the Strait of Hormuz, as concerns intensified following the reported seizure of a commercial vessel near the coast of the United Arab Emirates.
The remarks came during Trump’s visit to Beijing, where he held talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping amid growing instability in West Asia. According to Trump, Xi indicated that China would prefer a negotiated settlement rather than further military escalation and had offered assistance if needed to help facilitate discussions involving Iran.
Speaking in an interview with Fox News, Trump said Xi conveyed that he wanted “a deal made” and was not planning to provide military equipment to Iran. Trump added that the Chinese leader had offered support toward diplomatic efforts, though China itself has not officially confirmed any direct mediation role publicly.
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China remains one of Iran’s closest economic and diplomatic partners and is also the Islamic Republic’s largest oil buyer. Beijing’s relationship with Tehran gives it considerable influence, especially at a time when global energy markets are facing disruptions linked to conflict and uncertainty in the region.
The developments came as a commercial vessel was reportedly seized by unidentified personnel near the United Arab Emirates earlier on Thursday. According to the UK Maritime Trade Operations, the ship was intercepted around 38 nautical miles off the UAE coast while reportedly heading toward Iran. Authorities have not yet publicly disclosed the vessel’s identity.
The incident has added to mounting concerns over the security of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical energy shipping routes through which a significant portion of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies pass. The White House later said both the US and China agreed during the meeting that the Strait of Hormuz must remain open to ensure uninterrupted global energy flows and stability in international markets.
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