WASHINGTON/BEIJING: US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon remained his administration’s top priority, dismissing concerns over the economic hardships facing Americans as tensions in the Middle East continue to escalate.
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Speaking before departing the White House for a high-stakes summit in China, Trump said he did not believe he would need assistance from Chinese President Xi Jinping to end the ongoing conflict with Iran.
“I don’t think we need any help with Iran. We’ll win it one way or the other, peacefully or otherwise,” Trump told reporters.
The comments came amid growing uncertainty over the future of the conflict and increasing global concern about disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route through which nearly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply normally passes.
Despite a fragile ceasefire that took effect more than a month ago, no major diplomatic progress has been made toward ending hostilities between Washington and Tehran.
Reports suggest Iran has strengthened its influence over the Strait of Hormuz by reaching energy transportation arrangements with Iraq and Pakistan for the shipment of oil and liquefied natural gas from the region. Sources indicated that other countries were also exploring similar arrangements, potentially reinforcing Tehran’s strategic control over the waterway.
Ahead of Trump’s Beijing visit, senior US and Chinese officials reportedly agreed that no country should impose tolls or restrictions on international maritime traffic through the region, signaling a rare point of consensus between the world’s two largest economies.
Trump is expected to discuss Iran extensively during meetings with Xi scheduled for Thursday and Friday. Analysts believe Washington will push Beijing to use its influence with Tehran to encourage a negotiated settlement and curb Iran’s regional ambitions.
The United States continues to demand that Iran abandon its nuclear programme and ease restrictions affecting maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran, however, has demanded compensation for war-related damage, an end to US sanctions and blockades, and a halt to conflicts involving Iran-backed groups in the region, including Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Trump dismissed Iran’s conditions earlier this week, calling them “garbage.”
Meanwhile, global energy markets remain under pressure as Brent crude oil prices surged above $107 per barrel due to ongoing uncertainty and shipping disruptions linked to the conflict.
The economic fallout has intensified political pressure on Trump domestically. Fresh data from the US Labor Department showed American consumer inflation in April recorded its largest annual increase in three years, with rising food prices, housing costs, and airfares adding to concerns over the cost of living ahead of November’s midterm elections.
However, Trump insisted that economic concerns were not influencing his decisions regarding Iran.
“The only thing that matters, when I’m talking about Iran, they can’t have a nuclear weapon,” Trump said. “I don’t think about Americans’ financial situation. I think about one thing: We cannot let Iran have a nuclear weapon.”
The White House later defended the president’s remarks, with Communications Director Steven Cheung saying Trump’s primary responsibility remained the security and safety of Americans.
At the same time, the conflict’s growing costs are becoming increasingly significant. The United States Department of Defense estimated that the war has cost approximately $29 billion so far, including operational expenses and military equipment repairs.
According to reports, the US Navy aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln remains deployed in the Arabian Sea enforcing the US-led blockade and redirecting commercial vessels away from high-risk zones.
Public opinion surveys suggest increasing skepticism among American voters regarding the war. A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll found that two-thirds of Americans believe Trump has not clearly explained the reasons behind US involvement in the conflict.
Meanwhile, Iranian military activity has intensified. State media reported that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps conducted new military drills focused on preparing for potential escalation with foreign adversaries.
Analysts say the upcoming Trump-Xi summit could play a critical role in shaping the next phase of diplomatic and geopolitical developments surrounding Iran, global energy security, and broader US-China relations.
