U.S. President Donald Trump on the 15th (local time) claimed he is permanently keeping the Strait of Hormuz open.
Trump wrote on his social media Truth Social, "China is very pleased that I am permanently keeping the Strait of Hormuz open." He added, "I am doing this for China and for the world, and this situation will not happen again," and "China has agreed not to send weapons to Iran."
His remarks are interpreted as suggesting that, after the United States began a blockade on all maritime traffic entering and leaving Iranian ports on the 13th, third-country ships whose movement had been restricted by Iran's control of the strait are transiting again.
Trump said, "Chinese President Xi Jinping will give me a very tight hug when I arrive there (China) in a few weeks," adding, "We are working together smartly and very well. Isn't this better than fighting?" While highlighting his cooperative relationship with Xi, he also said he would proceed as planned with a visit to China in mid-next month. In an interview the same day with Britain's Sky News, which was also reported, Trump mentioned an exchange of letters with Xi and said China had promised not to provide weapons to Iran.
He said, "But remember, if we have to fight, we fight very well, far more overwhelmingly than anyone else."