President Donald Trump claimed he is “permanently opening” the Strait of Hormuz while saying China agreed not to send weapons to Iran.
In a Truth Social post, Trump’s said “China is very happy” with the move, adding that he was opening the strait “for them, also – And the World.”
“This situation will never happen again,” he added.
The claim followed Trump’s Fox Business remarks that he had asked Chinese President Xi Jinping not to provide weapons to Iran.
Trump’s post also came after reports that China could provide Iran with air defense systems through third countries. The Jerusalem Post reported US intelligence concerns that Chinese shipments could move within weeks using intermediaries, while other reports cited potential efforts to restock Iranian systems during the ceasefire period.
The China portion of Trump’s claim remains disputed. AP reported China’s Foreign Ministry denied the assertion that Beijing had agreed not to provide weapons to Tehran, even as Trump said the US maritime blockade of Iran was “fully implemented” and the war was “very close to over.”
Iran has not publicly confirmed Trump’s claim, but it has warned before it could block regional trade if the US blockade remains in place. Managing the strait is also one of the sticking points in the recently failed negotiations between Tehran and Washington.
The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most important oil chokepoints. The International Energy Agency said nearly 15 million barrels per day of crude oil moved through the strait in 2025, equal to nearly 34% of global crude oil trade, with most exports bound for Asia. China and India together received 44% of those flows.
The EIA said flows through the strait in the first quarter of 2025 were relatively flat compared with 2024.
That makes China’s position especially sensitive. EIA chokepoint data said China, India, Japan, and South Korea accounted for a combined 74% of Hormuz crude oil and condensate flows in the first half of 2025.
Trump also framed the claim as personal diplomacy, saying Xi would give him “a big, fat, hug” during an upcoming visit to China and that the two countries were “working together smartly, and very well.” He added a warning that the US remained “very good at fighting” if needed.
Trump is expected to meet Xi in Beijing next month after being delayed by the Iran war.
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