US President Donald Trump has declared the Strait of Hormuz “permanently open” and said the war with Iran is “close to over”, even as uncertainty continues to surround global oil flows and shipping through the critical waterway.
In a post shared by the White House, Trump claimed China was “very happy” with the move and suggested Beijing had agreed not to supply weapons to Tehran.
“I am permanently opening the Strait of Hormuz. I am doing it for them, also – and the world. This situation will never happen again.”
In an interview with Fox Business, Trump revealed he had written directly to Chinese President Xi Jinping, urging him not to provide weapons to Iran.
According to Trump, Xi responded by assuring that China was not supplying Tehran.
“I wrote him a letter asking him not to do that, and he wrote me a letter saying that, essentially, he’s not doing that.”
Trump also signalled optimism about ending the conflict, saying negotiations with Iran could resume soon after talks stalled over the weekend.
Despite the strong rhetoric, conditions on the ground remain far from settled.
The Strait of Hormuz — a vital artery for roughly 20 per cent of global oil and gas shipments — continues to operate at significantly reduced capacity following weeks of disruption.
Traffic through the strait remains well below pre-conflict levels, with only a fraction of the more than 130 daily vessel crossings recorded before hostilities escalated.
The US has also intensified pressure on Iran, with its military confirming a blockade that it claims has “completely halted” Tehran’s maritime trade. However, reports suggest some vessels are still moving in and out of Iranian ports.
Trump dismissed concerns about global oil volatility impacting his diplomatic agenda, stating that energy dynamics would not affect his planned meeting with Xi next month.
“He’s somebody that needs oil. We don’t.”
Meanwhile, the White House said it feels “good about prospects of a deal” with Iran, with Pakistan emerging as a possible venue for the next round of negotiations.
The situation remains fluid, with tensions extending beyond the Gulf. Iran has warned of potential threats to shipping in the Red Sea if US actions continue, while parallel talks between Israel and Lebanon are also underway, raising hopes of a broader regional de-escalation.
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