Photo credit: Reuters
US President Donald Trump said on Friday that his patience with Iran was wearing thin and claimed that Chinese President XI Jinping agreed Tehran should reopen the Strait of Hormuz, though Beijing gave no sign it intended to intervene directly.
ThisisBeirut reports that Speaking aboard Air Force One while returning from Beijing after two days of talks with XI, Trump said he was weighing the possibility of easing US sanctions on Chinese firms importing Iranian oil. China remains the largest purchaser of Iranian crude.
When asked whether XI had firmly committed to pressuring Iran to reopen the strategic shipping route, Trump replied, “I’m nit asking for any favours because, when you ask for favours, you have to do favours in return.”
XI did not publicly address the discussions on Iran, but China’s foreign ministry released a sharply worded statement expressing frustration over the ongoing conflict. “This war, which should never have started, has no justification to continue,” the ministry stated.
Although the United States suspended itsss strikes on Iran last month, it subsequently imposed a naval blockade as part of Operation Project Freedom. Tehran responded by saying the Strait of Hormuz would remain rezstriv=cted until Washington lifted the blockade. Trump has warned that the US could resume military action if Iran refuses to negotiate an agreement.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said Tehran had received signals from Washington indicating a willingness to continue negotiations.
“We hope that progress in the talks will lead to a positive outcome, allowing the Strait of Hormuz to be fully secured and maritime traffic through the passage to return to normal,: Araqchi told reporters in New Delhi.
