BEIJING/WASHINGTON D.C. May 14, 2026 – President Donald Trump announced today that Chinese President Xi Jinping has expressed a strong desire to help broker a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the vital waterway that has been largely blocked for more than two months amid the escalating U.S.-Iran conflict.
In an exclusive interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity conducted during his high-stakes summit in Beijing, President Trump shared details of his discussions with Xi.
“President Xi would like to see a deal made,” Trump said. “He said, ‘If I can be of any help at all, I would like to be of help.’ Anybody that buys that much oil has obviously got some kind of relationship, but he’d like to see the Hormuz Strait open.”
The comments were quickly amplified by the White House Rapid Response account, underscoring the administration’s diplomatic push.
The Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly 20% of the world’s seaborne oil passes, has been severely restricted since Iran imposed a blockade in response to U.S. and Israeli military strikes in late February 2026. The closure has triggered a global energy crisis, with skyrocketing oil prices, stranded tankers, and widespread supply disruptions.
China, the world’s largest buyer of Iranian crude, has a clear economic stake in restoring free passage through the strait. Iranian forces have reportedly allowed select Chinese vessels to transit in recent days, signaling Beijing’s leverage with Tehran.
According to White House readouts of the two-hour Trump-Xi meeting, the leaders agreed that the Strait of Hormuz “must remain open” to support the free flow of energy. Xi also reportedly pledged not to provide military equipment to Iran.
Trump’s remarks highlight a rare point of alignment between Washington and Beijing on Middle East stability, even as broader tensions over trade, technology, and Taiwan continue.
No immediate details were released on specific next steps, timelines, or whether China will actively engage Iran to lift the blockade. U.S. officials have emphasized that America holds strong cards in the standoff but welcome diplomatic support from major powers.
Global markets are watching closely: any progress toward reopening the strait could ease energy prices and stabilize shipping lanes critical to the world economy.
The full Hannity interview is scheduled to air tonight at 9 p.m. ET on Fox News.
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