U.S. President Donald Trump has said he reached an agreement with Chinese President Xi Jinping that Iran must never acquire nuclear weapons and should immediately reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Speaking after high-level talks in Beijing, Trump said his patience with Iran was “running out” as tensions continue to rise over Tehran’s nuclear programme and the ongoing blockade affecting one of the world’s most critical oil shipping routes.
According to a White House summary of the meeting, both leaders agreed that the Strait of Hormuz “must remain open” to guarantee the free flow of global energy supplies, while also insisting that Iran should not possess nuclear weapons.
Trump described the discussions with Xi as constructive, even as diplomatic negotiations with Tehran remain stalled.
“Both countries agreed that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon,” the White House stated after the meeting.
Xi also called for stable relations between Washington and Beijing, saying cooperation benefits both countries more than confrontation.
“Both China and the United States stand to gain from cooperation and lose from confrontation. Our two countries should be partners rather than rivals,” Xi said during the summit.
The talks come amid growing fears over global energy security following Iran’s continued restrictions around the Strait of Hormuz, a major transit route for international oil and gas shipments.
China, which remains one of the biggest buyers of Iranian oil, is seen as a key player in efforts to reduce tensions in the Gulf region. Reports indicate Xi expressed opposition to the militarization of the strait and signalled interest in increasing Chinese imports of American oil to reduce dependence on Middle Eastern routes.
The Beijing summit also touched on trade relations, Taiwan tensions and efforts to curb the flow of fentanyl precursor chemicals into the United States.
