US and China Reach Agreement: Strait of Hormuz Must Not Be Militarized, Iran Barred from Nuclear Weapons

Kuala Lumpur — US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the United States and China have agreed the Strait of Hormuz should not be militarized or subjected to any toll system by Iran, following in-depth talks between President Donald Trump and President Xi Jinping in Beijing.

According to Rubio, who spoke to NBC News after the more than two-hour summit, China made it clear they do not support any actions that could close or disrupt this critical global shipping route.

“The Chinese side said they do not support the militarization of the Strait of Hormuz, and they also do not support any toll system. That is also our position,” Rubio said.

This agreement was reached amid ongoing high tensions in the Middle East following the US-Israel conflict with Iran. Iran had previously attempted to blockade the Strait of Hormuz — the world’s most important oil chokepoint — causing major disruptions to global energy supplies and sharp spikes in oil prices.

China Reiterates Strong Opposition to Iranian Nuclear Weapons

In addition to the Hormuz issue, Rubio revealed that China reaffirmed its firm opposition to any Iranian effort to develop nuclear weapons.

“President Trump and President Xi found common ground on Iran, and China reiterated its opposition to Tehran developing nuclear weapons,” he said.

However, Rubio stressed that the United States did not ask China for help in resolving the conflict with Iran. “We did not ask for China’s assistance. We don’t need their help,” he emphasized.

Trump had previously credited China for helping bring Iran to the negotiating table for a ceasefire, but this latest Trump-Xi meeting did not involve any direct request for assistance.