U.S. President Donald J. Trump said on Tuesday he is “permanently opening” the Strait of Hormuz.
Posting on Truth Social, Trump wrote: “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.”
He added: “They have agreed not to send weapons to Iran. President Xi Jinping will give me a big, fat, hug when I get there in a few weeks. 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!!!”
China had earlier described the U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports as “irresponsible and dangerous,” according to reports.
The Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil shipping route, had been placed under U.S. naval restrictions on April 13 soon after U.S.–Iran talks in Islamabad ended without agreement.
At the time, Trump said the U.S. Navy had been instructed to intercept vessels linked to what he called “illegal toll payments” to Iran and to block ships attempting to enter or leave the waterway.
He warned that ships paying such tolls “will not have safe passage on the high seas,” and said U.S. forces would also move to destroy naval mines while responding strongly to any threats against American or commercial vessels.