Saudi Press

Saudi Arabia and the world
Thursday, May 14, 2026

Trump and Iran: No Need for China's Help, War Costs Mount

Trump and Iran: No Need for China's Help, War Costs Mount

US President Donald Trump maintains that he does not require Chinese assistance to end the conflict with Iran as tensions persist in the Strait of Hormuz.
US President Donald Trump stated on Tuesday that he believes US efforts in ending the ongoing war with Iran will not necessitate China's involvement.

This statement comes ahead of an important summit in Beijing, amidst a prolonged stalemate over a peace deal and Iran’s strengthening control over the Strait of Hormuz.

The Strait of Hormuz, through which one-fifth of the world's oil supply passes, has seen increased maritime traffic disruption due to ongoing tensions.

Trump assured reporters that a resolution to the conflict will be achieved peacefully or otherwise.In the past month, since a precarious ceasefire took effect, both parties have made little progress in negotiating an agreement to end hostilities.

Iran's control over the Strait of Hormuz appears to be solidifying as it has been reported that they have struck oil shipping deals with Iraq and Pakistan.

Additional countries are reportedly considering similar arrangements, potentially leading to a more permanent establishment of Tehran’s dominance over the waterway.The Trump administration emphasized on Tuesday that an agreement had been reached by senior US and Chinese officials last month.

This pact discourages any country from imposing tolls on traffic passing through the Strait of Hormuz, aiming for a unified stance before the upcoming summit between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

China, which maintains relationships with Iran and remains a significant purchaser of its oil, has not disputed this characterization.Iran's demands include compensation for war damages, the termination of US sanctions, and an end to all conflicts, including in Lebanon where Iran-backed Hezbollah is active against US ally Israel.

Trump dismissed these conditions as 'garbage' on Monday.

As tensions persist, Brent crude oil futures have surged above $107 a barrel, reflecting the ongoing blockade's impact.The war has incurred significant costs with the Pentagon estimating expenditures at $29 billion thus far, up from an earlier projection of $25 billion.

Operational costs and equipment repairs account for a substantial portion of this increase.

Additionally, gasoline prices in the US have risen due to the conflict, leading to increased consumer inflation.Public opinion in the US regarding the war remains unfavorable, particularly with nationwide elections approaching.

According to recent polls, most Americans, including a significant number of Republicans and almost all Democrats, believe Trump has not adequately explained the reasons for engaging in this military action.Despite these challenges, Iranian officials remain resolute.

An Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps official cited by Fars news agency claims Iran has extended its control over the Strait of Hormuz beyond its traditional borders.

The Revolutionary Guards conducted drills aimed at preparing for potential confrontations, as reported by state TV.
Newsletter

Related Articles

Saudi Press
0:00
0:00
Close
The Great Western Exit: Why Best Citizens Are Fleeing the Rich World [PODCAST]
The New Robber Barons of Intelligence: Are AI Bosses More Powerful Than Rockefeller?
The AI Gold Rush Is Coming for America’s Last Open Spaces [Podcast]
The Pentagon’s AI Squeeze: Eight Tech Giants Get In, Anthropic Gets Shut Out [Podcast]
The War Map: Professor Jiang’s Dark Theory of Iran, Trump, China, Russia, Israel, and the Coming Global Shock [Podcast]
AI Isn’t Stealing Your Job. It’s Dismantling It Piece by Piece.
Kennedy’s Quiet War on Antidepressants Sparks Alarm Across America’s Medical Establishment
Russian Oligarch’s Superyacht Crosses Hormuz via Iran-Controlled Route
Crypto Scammers Capitalize on Maritime Chaos Near the Strait of Hormuz: A Rising Threat to Shipping Companies
Changi Airport: How Singapore Engineered the World’s Most Efficient Travel Experience
News Roundup
Microsoft lost 2.5 millions users (French government) to Linux
Strategic Saudi-Bahrain Causeway Closed Amid Security Concerns as Trump Deadline Approaches
Saudi Arabia Keeps Red Sea Oil Exports Flowing Despite Regional Tensions
Pipeline Attack Cuts Significant Share of Saudi Arabia’s Oil Export Capacity
Saudi Business Leader Abudawood Appointed Chairman of Merit Incentives Group
TotalEnergies Confirms Damage at Saudi Refinery Following Security Incident
Saudi Arabia Launches Early Construction Phase for King Salman Stadium Project
Saudi Shift Away from Longstanding Dollar Oil Framework Gains Attention Amid Iran Conflict
Türkiye and Saudi Arabia Resolve Long-Running Transit Visa Dispute
Saudi Oil Capacity and Pipeline Flows Reduced as Supply Risks Intensify
TotalEnergies Reports Damage to Saudi SATORP Refinery Following Security Incidents
Gulf States Assess Prospects of U.S.-Iran Truce as Regional Stability Efforts Intensify
South Korea Resumes Honey Exports to Saudi Arabia Following Sanitary Approval
Saudi Arabia Carries Out Sentences in Eastern Province Following Security Convictions
Saudi Sovereign Wealth Fund Backs King Street’s Regional Credit Strategy
Saudi Arabia Secures World Cup Return as Egypt Celebrates Landmark Qualification
Iran and Saudi Arabia Intensify Diplomatic Engagement Amid Regional Tensions
Russia and Saudi Arabia Open Visa-Free Travel Corridor for Citizens
Saudi Oil Output Capacity Reduced by 600,000 Barrels Per Day Amid Regional Conflict
Saudi Arabia Suspends Operations at Select Energy Sites as Precautionary Measure
Saudi Arabia Halts Operations at Multiple Energy Facilities Amid Heightened Tensions
Global Markets Jolt as Iran Signals Ceasefire Breakdown and Rising Regional Tensions
King Street Aligns with Saudi Sovereign Wealth Fund to Expand Alternative Investments in Middle East
Attack on Saudi Arabia’s Jubail Petrochemical Hub Raises Global Supply Concerns
Debate Emerges Over Saudi Strategic Decisions as Gulf Cooperation Council Dynamics Come Into Focus
Saudi Arabia Expands Full Workforce Localisation to 69 Professions in Major Labour Reform
Emerging Alliance of Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt and Saudi Arabia Signals New Regional Power Dynamic Amid Iran Conflict
Iran Linked to Strikes Across Gulf States Following Refinery Attack Escalation
Saudi Arabia Voices Concern Over Fragile US–Iran Ceasefire Stability
Starmer Warns Sustained Effort Needed to Ensure US–Iran Ceasefire Holds
Saudi Arabia’s Key East-West Oil Pipeline Targeted Following Ceasefire Announcement
Iran Targets Saudi Arabia’s East-West Oil Pipeline in Escalating Regional Tensions
Trump Warns of Civilizational Stakes as Iran Halts Negotiations
Saudi Companies Expand Remote Work Measures Ahead of Iran-Related Security Concerns
Iran Warns of Strikes on Saudi Energy Infrastructure if US Targets Its Facilities
Iran Urges Civilians to Form Human Shields Around Nuclear Sites as Diplomatic Deadline Approaches
Saudi Arabia Raises Oil Prices to Record Premiums Amid Supply Pressures Linked to Iran Conflict
Key Saudi-Bahrain Causeway Closed Amid Heightened Security Concerns Linked to Iran
Formula One Calendar Gap Explained as Fans Await Next Grand Prix
×