U.S. President Donald Trump. Reuters/Yonhap News

On the 15th (local time), U.S. President Donald Trump claimed that he is keeping the Strait of Hormuz permanently open.

Trump wrote on Truth Social that “China is very pleased that I am keeping the Strait of Hormuz permanently open.”

He added, “I am doing it for them (China), and also for the world,” and “This kind of situation will not happen again.”

Trump went on to say, “China has agreed not to send weapons to Iran,” and “When I arrive there (Beijing, China) in a few weeks, President Xi Jinping of China will give me a tight hug.” This was seen as confirming that the visit by Trump to China, which had been postponed to early May because of the war with Iran, would proceed as planned.

Trump said, “We are working together wisely and very well. Is this not better than fighting?” and “But remember, if necessary we fight very well, better than anyone.”

Earlier the same day, in an interview with the UK outlet Sky News that was published that day, Trump said that, through an exchange of letters with Xi, China had pledged not to provide weapons to Iran.