US President Donald Trump has stated that he does not believe China’s assistance will be necessary to end the ongoing war with Iran, even as diplomatic hopes for a long-term settlement continue to weaken and tensions in the Strait of Hormuz intensify.
Speaking ahead of a high-level summit in Beijing, Trump said he would not rely on Chinese President Xi Jinping to help resolve the conflict. “I don’t think we need any help with Iran. We’ll win it one way or the other, peacefully or otherwise,” he told reporters.
The remarks come as the Iran conflict enters a prolonged phase with little progress on ceasefire negotiations more than a month after a fragile truce was announced. Maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz—through which nearly one-fifth of global oil supply passes—remains heavily restricted.
Reports suggest Iran has strengthened its influence over the strategic waterway, reportedly reaching arrangements with Iraq and Pakistan for oil and LNG shipments, moves that could effectively normalize Tehran’s control over key shipping routes.
While the US administration maintains that no country should impose tolls or control passage through the strait, China has not publicly challenged that position, despite being a major importer of Iranian oil and maintaining diplomatic ties with Tehran.
Trump is expected to discuss the war directly with Xi Jinping during his upcoming visit to Beijing, with Washington seeking broader international pressure on Iran to accept a deal that includes restrictions on its nuclear program.
However, Iran has countered with its own demands, including an end to military operations, compensation for war damage, and the lifting of US-led restrictions. Trump has dismissed these conditions as “garbage,” further hardening positions on both sides.
Meanwhile, energy markets continue to react sharply to the prolonged conflict. Brent crude prices have surged past $107 per barrel, driven by fears of sustained disruption in global oil supply routes.
The US Central Command said the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln is actively enforcing maritime restrictions in the Arabian Sea, where it has reportedly redirected dozens of commercial vessels and disabled several others.
The Pentagon estimates that the war has already cost the United States around $29 billion, reflecting rising operational and logistical expenditures.
At home, Trump’s stance is drawing political scrutiny as inflation continues to rise, with US consumer prices hitting a three-year high in April. Food, housing, and travel costs have all increased, intensifying domestic debate over the economic impact of the conflict.
Despite these concerns, Trump insisted that economic conditions do not influence his decision-making. “Not even a little bit,” he said when asked whether rising costs for Americans affected his approach.
He added that preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon remains his sole priority, stating: “That’s all that motivates me.”
