Washington DC: US President Donald Trump said Friday that Chinese President Xi Jinping is “very happy” about the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, even as Iran asserted tight control over maritime movement through the critical oil transit route.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said he is looking forward to meeting Xi during his upcoming visit to China, calling the engagement potentially “historic.” The meeting, originally planned for April, was postponed due to US military operations linked to Iran and has now been rescheduled for May 14–15 in Beijing.
“President Xi is very happy that the Strait of Hormuz is open and/or rapidly opening. Our meeting in China will be a special one and, potentially, historic,” Trump wrote.
The remarks come amid heightened tensions in West Asia, where conflicting signals have emerged over access to the Strait. While Tehran recently announced the reopening of the waterway following a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, Iranian officials stressed that shipping will be subject to strict oversight.
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said vessels would only be allowed to pass through designated routes and with prior approval from Iranian authorities, underscoring Tehran’s intent to retain control over the corridor.
Trump, however, reiterated that US pressure on Iran remains firmly in place. In a separate Truth Social post, he said the American naval blockade targeting Iranian ports would continue until a comprehensive agreement with Tehran is fully finalized.
“The naval blockade will remain in full force and effect as it pertains to Iran only, until such time as our transaction with Iran is 100% complete,” he wrote.
The Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint for a significant share of the world’s oil shipments, has been at the center of geopolitical tensions in recent weeks. Although commercial transit has resumed, Washington has signaled it will not ease economic or military measures prematurely.
Trump’s upcoming visit to China is expected to focus on strategic, economic and security issues, with both sides seeking to stabilize ties amid ongoing global uncertainties. The US president also said he plans to host Xi and his wife in Washington later this year for a reciprocal visit.
