US–Israel–Iran War Latest Update: US President Donald Trump has said that his patience with Iran is “running out” and claimed that he reached an understanding with Chinese President Xi Jinping during their Beijing summit that Iran should not be allowed to develop nuclear weapons and must reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
However, official agreements from the high-level US–China summit have not yet been released, leaving uncertainty over whether China will actively pressure Tehran to end the conflict. China remains the biggest buyer of Iranian oil and is seen as one of the few countries with strong influence over Iran.
US–Israel–Iran War Latest Update: Trump Claims Progress After Xi Meeting in Beijing
Speaking on Friday after the second day of talks with Xi Jinping in Beijing, Trump said several difficult global issues had been addressed during discussions that covered the Iran war, Taiwan, trade tensions, and broader international relations.
“We’ve settled a lot of different problems that other people wouldn’t have been able to settle,” Trump said. Although Xi Jinping did not publicly comment on the Iran-related discussions, China’s Foreign Ministry issued a strong statement criticizing the continuation of the conflict. “This conflict, which should never have happened, has no reason to continue,” the ministry said.
Strait of Hormuz Crisis Deepens Due to Ongoing US Iran Conflict
The Strait of Hormuz has become one of the central flashpoints in the conflict. Iran largely shut the strategic waterway to commercial shipping after US and Israeli strikes began on February 28. The closure caused major disruptions to global energy supplies and shipping routes.
The US later paused direct attacks on Iran but imposed a blockade on Iranian ports. Tehran responded by saying it would not reopen the strait unless Washington lifted the blockade.
“We don’t want them to have a nuclear weapon, we want the straits open,” Trump said during his Beijing visit. Before the conflict, nearly 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments passed through the Strait of Hormuz, making it one of the world’s most critical energy routes.
Iran has repeatedly denied trying to build nuclear weapons, but it has refused to shut down its nuclear programme or hand over its enriched uranium stockpile. Trump expressed frustration over Tehran’s position and warned that the US may not wait much longer for an agreement.
“I am not going to be much more patient. They should make a deal,” Trump said during an interview on Fox News’ “Hannity.” Trump also claimed Xi Jinping assured him that China would not supply military equipment to Iran. “He said he’s not going to give military equipment, that’s a big statement,” Trump said.
China Rejects Arms Supply Claims
China has denied reports suggesting it plans to provide weapons to Iran, calling such accusations “groundless smears.” However, analysts believe Beijing may still avoid putting heavy pressure on Tehran because Iran remains strategically important to China as a counterbalance to US influence in the region.
Iran Vows to Continue Fighting
Iranian military officials signaled that the country would continue resisting pressure. Iran’s army chief, Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi Hatami, said the armed forces would defend the country “until the last drop of blood,” according to Iranian state media. Diplomatic talks aimed at ending the war have stalled after Iran and the United States rejected each other’s latest proposals last week. Pakistan has been mediating the negotiations.
Shipping Attacks Increase Across Gulf Region
The conflict has sharply increased dangers for commercial shipping in the Gulf region. While most maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has stopped, a large Chinese oil tanker reportedly crossed the strait on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, an Indian vessel transporting livestock from Africa to the UAE sank off the coast of Oman after an attack. Reports also said Iranian forces boarded another ship near the UAE port of Fujairah and redirected it toward Iran.
Fujairah is strategically important because it is the UAE’s only oil export port located outside the Strait of Hormuz. The UAE announced plans to speed up construction of a new pipeline to expand oil exports without relying on the strait.
Lebanon Ceasefire Talks Continue With Israel
The conflict has also intensified violence in Lebanon, where fighting between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah group resumed during the war. Thousands of people have reportedly been killed in Iran and Lebanon since the fighting escalated.
With a fragile Lebanon ceasefire due to expire soon, Lebanese and Israeli officials continued discussions on Friday after what US officials described as productive talks. Hezbollah, however, opposes the negotiations, especially Israeli demands for the group’s disarmament.
US–Israel–Iran War Latest Update: Iran Seeking Sanctions Relief and Strategic Recognition
Trump said the goals of the military campaign were to weaken Iran’s nuclear programme, stop attacks on neighbouring countries, and increase pressure on Iran’s leadership.
A senior US admiral told a Senate committee that Iran’s ability to threaten regional interests had been “significantly degraded.” However, reports suggest Iran still retains substantial missile and drone capabilities. Iran is currently seeking the removal of sanctions, compensation for war-related damage, and international recognition of its control and influence over the Strait of Hormuz.
