Trump Warns Iran as Strait of Hormuz Crisis Deepens After Talks With Xi

US President Donald Trump said his patience with Iran was “running out” after holding high-level talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, as tensions in the Strait of Hormuz continued to disrupt global shipping and energy markets.

The White House said Trump and Xi agreed during Thursday’s summit that the strategically vital waterway must remain open to international shipping. The Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil and gas exports, has faced severe disruption since Iran effectively shut parts of the passage following US-Israeli attacks launched on February 28.

Speaking in an interview broadcast on Fox News’ “Hannity” programme, Trump signaled growing frustration with stalled negotiations aimed at ending the conflict.

“I am not going to be much more patient,” Trump said. “They should make a deal.”

The president also downplayed the importance of Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile, suggesting the issue carried more symbolic than strategic importance for Washington.

“I just feel better if I got it,” Trump said, referring to the uranium. “But I think it’s more for public relations than it is for anything else.”

The comments came as fresh security incidents were reported near the Gulf shipping lanes. An Indian cargo vessel transporting livestock from Africa to the UAE sank off the coast of Oman on Wednesday after what security firm Vanguard described as a likely missile or drone strike. India said all 14 crew members were rescued safely by Omani authorities.

Separately, Britain’s maritime security agency UKMTO reported that “unauthorized personnel” boarded a vessel anchored near the UAE port of Fujairah and redirected it toward Iran. Vanguard later said the ship was believed to have been seized by Iranian personnel while at anchor.

Fujairah is the UAE’s only major oil export terminal located outside the Strait of Hormuz, making it strategically important during the ongoing conflict.

Following the Beijing talks, the White House said Xi had expressed opposition to any militarisation of the strait or attempts to impose tolls on ships using the route. Trump also claimed Xi promised China would not supply military equipment to Iran.

“He said he’s not going to give military equipment, that’s a big statement,” Trump said.

China, one of Iran’s closest trading partners and largest buyers of Iranian oil, also reportedly signaled interest in increasing purchases of American oil to reduce reliance on Gulf shipping routes.

Diplomatic efforts between Tehran and Washington remain stalled after both sides rejected recent proposals aimed at ending the war. Iran continues to demand sanctions relief, compensation for war-related damage and recognition of its control over the strait, while the US insists Tehran must halt uranium enrichment and surrender its nuclear stockpile.

Despite signs of limited shipping activity resuming through the strait, traffic remains far below pre-war levels. Iranian state-linked media said dozens of vessels had crossed since Wednesday evening, although shipping analysts estimate traffic remains heavily reduced compared with normal conditions before the conflict began.