- Donald Trump has claimed that he is “permanently opening the Strait of Hormuz” and that Chinese president Xi Jinping will give him a “big, fat hug” when they eventually meet.
- The US military earlier claimed it has “maritime superiority in the Middle East” since it began a blockade on Monday, after US-Iran talks in Islamabad failed over the weekend.
- Writing on Truth Social, the US president said: “China is very happy that I am permanently opening the Strait of Hormuz. I am doing it for them, also - And the World. This situation will never happen again.
- “They have agreed not to send weapons to Iran. President Xi will give me a big, fat, hug when I get there in a few weeks.”
- He added: “We are working together smartly, and very well! Doesn’t that beat fighting??? BUT REMEMBER, we are very good at fighting, if we have to - far better than anyone else!!!”
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