China Offers to Help End Iran War, Reopen Key Oil Chokepoint

President Donald Trump announced during his visit to Beijing on Thursday that Chinese President Xi Jinping offered to assist in negotiations to end the war with Iran and reopen the critical Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil chokepoint that has been disrupted since U.S. and Israeli bombardment of Iran began in late February. Trump told Fox News that Xi expressed a desire to see a deal reached and committed to not supplying military equipment to Tehran, though China has not explicitly confirmed these offers. The White House later released a readout stating both leaders agreed the strait must remain open to support free energy flow and that Iran should never possess nuclear weapons. A commercial vessel was reportedly seized by unauthorized personnel near the United Arab Emirates earlier Thursday, adding to uncertainty over control of the strategic waterway. The ship was taken 38 nautical miles off the UAE coast and was bound for Iran, according to the UK Maritime Trade Operations. Despite weeks of heavy U.S.-Israeli strikes, Iran continues to resist demands to reopen Hormuz, insisting that Washington first end its naval blockade, unfreeze billions of dollars in assets and lift sanctions. The U.S.-Iran ceasefire in place since April 8 has broadly held, though negotiations have reached a deadlock, with ten oil, fuel and gas vessels successfully transiting the strait since Sunday, marking an increase from recent weeks. China holds significant diplomatic leverage as Iran's largest oil buyer and trading partner, importing roughly 45 percent of its gas and petroleum through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran announced Thursday that Chinese vessels will be allowed passage under "Iranian management protocols," while over 30 ships have been permitted through since Wednesday night, according to Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps. Oil prices held steady at around $105 per barrel on Thursday, having risen nearly 50 percent since the war began. India also condemned an attack on one of its vessels in the Gulf of Oman that sank after catching fire, though all 14 crew members were rescued. Trump is scheduled to meet with Xi again on Friday before returning to Washington.