President Donald Trump said on Thursday that a deal with Iran is possible before his upcoming summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping [1].
A resolution to the conflict would potentially end the current war and allow for the resumption of oil and natural gas shipments. This diplomatic shift comes as the U.S. prepares for high-level talks in Beijing to reduce regional tensions [2, 3].
The conflict between the U.S. and Iran has lasted nine weeks [4]. Trump said the possibility of a deal on the social media platform X [1]. While the president signaled a path toward diplomacy, other reports indicate he has threatened bombing if Iran does not reopen the Strait of Hormuz [1].
China has also entered the diplomatic fray. Chinese officials said they called for a "prompt resumption of shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz" [5]. This request aligns with the goal of stabilizing global energy markets ahead of the Beijing summit [3].
Military actions to restore maritime traffic are already underway. Joint Chiefs Chairman Dan Caine said U.S. forces launched an effort to guide commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday [6]. According to Caine, two American-flagged merchant vessels were first guided through the strait [7].
The potential for a deal remains uncertain given the contradictory nature of the current U.S. approach. Trump said a deal with Tehran is "possible" [8], yet the administration continues to use the threat of military force to ensure the waterway remains open [1].
“Trump says deal with Tehran ‘possible'”
The U.S. is employing a 'carrot and stick' strategy by pairing the possibility of a diplomatic deal with the threat of military escalation. By timing these developments ahead of a summit with China, the U.S. is likely seeking to leverage Chinese influence over Iran to secure the Strait of Hormuz and stabilize global oil prices before engaging in broader bilateral negotiations with President Xi.
