US President Donald Trump said Chinese President Xi Jinping offered to help broker an end to the Iran conflict and ensure freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, underscoring how Middle East tensions have become intertwined with a broader effort by Washington and Beijing to steady relations.
In an interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity set to air on Thursday evening in the US, Trump said Xi had personally expressed willingness to assist amid mounting concerns over disruptions in one of the world’s most important oil shipping lanes.
“President Xi would like to see a deal made,” Trump said. “He did offer, he said ‘if I can be of any help at all, I would like to be of help.’”
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Trump linked China’s interest directly to its dependence on Middle Eastern energy supplies, noting that Beijing buys large volumes of Iranian oil and would benefit from keeping the Strait of Hormuz open.
The remarks came as Trump and Xi sought to project warmer ties during the first day of their summit in Beijing, with both sides emphasising cooperation despite continuing tensions over Taiwan, trade and technology.
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Trump said that he invited Xi to visit the White House on September 24, signalling an effort to sustain high-level engagement between the two powers.