US President Donald Trump said Chinese President Xi Jinping had agreed that Iran must reopen the Strait of Hormuz, though Beijing has not confirmed any such position or pledged direct involvement.

Speaking after returning from Beijing on Friday following two days of discussions with Xi, Trump said he was weighing whether to ease US sanctions on Chinese firms importing Iranian crude. China remains the largest purchaser of Iranian oil exports.

“I’m not looking for any favors, because once you start asking for favors, you end up owing them,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One when asked whether Xi had agreed to pressure Tehran to reopen the key shipping route.

The Strait of Hormuz, a vital global energy corridor that once handled about one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas supply, was effectively closed following US and Israeli strikes on February 28. The disruption has caused a major shock to global energy markets, pushing oil prices significantly higher.

Tens of thousands of casualties have been reported across the region since the escalation began, including in Iran and Lebanon, where fighting has intensified between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah movement.

Washington temporarily halted its military operations last month but introduced a naval blockade targeting Iranian ports. Tehran has insisted it will not reopen the strait unless the blockade is lifted, while Trump has warned that US strikes could resume if no agreement is reached.

We don’t want them to have a nuclear weapon ,we want the strait open,” Trump said during remarks in Beijing alongside Xi.

Iran, which maintains its nuclear programme is peaceful, has repeatedly rejected calls to halt enrichment activities or surrender its stockpiles of enriched uranium, a stance that has heightened tensions with Washington.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said Tehran had received signals from Washington suggesting the US is open to continuing negotiations.

“We hope that progress in talks will lead to a positive outcome so that the Strait of Hormuz can be fully secured and normal maritime traffic restored,” he told reporters in New Delhi.

Trump, in an interview with Fox News’ Hannity, said he was growing increasingly frustrated with Tehran and urged Iranian leaders to strike a deal.

Global oil prices rose by about 3% to around $109 per barrel on Friday, as concerns over stalled diplomacy weighed on markets. US Treasury yields also climbed to their highest level in about a year, reflecting expectations that the Federal Reserve may tighten monetary policy further.

Efforts to end the conflict, which has become politically sensitive for Trump ahead of upcoming US congressional elections, have stalled since last week after both Washington and Tehran rejected each other’s latest proposals.

Iranian officials say they remain open to diplomatic engagement and would welcome Chinese involvement, though Araqchi stressed that Tehran remains deeply distrustful of the US following repeated breakdowns in previous negotiations and renewed military action. (Arise News)

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