US President Donald Trump with Chinese President Xi Jinping | Photo Credit: EVELYN HOCKSTEIN

US President Donald Trump on Friday (local time) said that his Chinese counterpart, President Xi Jinping, is "very happy" about the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, despite Iran stating that the maritime movement through the strategic waterway will be strictly controlled by Tehran.

Trump made his remarks in a post on Truth Social, adding that he is also looking forward to his meeting with the Chinese President, which was rescheduled to May due to the war with Iran. His visit to China was earlier scheduled for April. "President Xi is very happy that the Strait of Hormuz is open and/or rapidly opening. Our meeting in China will be a special one and, potentially, Historic. I look forward to being with President Xi -- Much will be accomplished!" the post on Truth Social read.

This follows after the speaker of Iran's Parliament, MB Ghalibaf, slammed Trump on X after Trump said that the US blockade on the ports of the Islamic Republic will continue until a full agreement with Iran is completely finalised. In his post, Ghalibaf asserted that maritime movement through the Strait of Hormuz will be strictly controlled by Tehran, stating that passage will be allowed only through designated routes and under Iranian approval.

His remarks come after the US President, in a post on Truth Social, declared that the American naval blockade of Iranian ports will persist until a comprehensive peace agreement is finalised with Tehran, despite Iran's move to restore access to the Strait of Hormuz. "The naval blockade will remain in full force and effect as it pertains to Iran only, until such time as our transaction with Iran is 100 per cent complete," the post read.

These remarks follow Tehran's announcement of a reopening of the strategic waterway, a move linked to the 10-day ceasefire currently in effect between Israel and Lebanon. While commercial shipping is now permitted to transit the route, Washington has maintained that economic and military pressure on Iran will not subside prematurely.

Meanwhile, Trump is set to visit China to meet his Chinese counterpart from May 14 to May 15. The highly anticipated meeting was postponed due to the US military operations in Iran.In a post on Truth Social last month, the US President said, "My meeting with the Highly Respected President of China, President Xi Jinping, which was originally postponed due to our Military operation in Iran, has been rescheduled, and will take place in Beijing on May 14th and 15th." He further added that he will be hosting the Chinese President and his wife for a "reciprocal visit" to Washington late this year.

Published on April 18, 2026