Trump: No Chinese Help Needed on Iran or Strait of Hormuz

The United States requires no assistance from China in dealing with Iran or keeping the Strait of Hormuz open for shipping, President Donald Trump declared Saturday, stating he had communicated that message directly to Beijing's leadership.

In an interview with Fox News, Trump described the Chinese president as "very nice" in his handling of the Iran and strait issues, noting that Beijing had shown significant cooperation on the matter.

Strait of Hormuz and Chinese Oil

Trump insisted the Strait of Hormuz will remain open, denying Tehran's ability to use it as leverage against him despite past attempts. He pointed out that China relies on the waterway for roughly 40% of its oil needs.

The US president said the Chinese leader agrees with Washington on the necessity of preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. Trump added that he had foiled two Iranian attempts to build such a weapon, asserting Tehran would have used it against Israel and the Middle East if it had succeeded.

Trump revealed he would be willing to accept oil prices reaching $200 per barrel if that prevented Iran from developing its military nuclear capabilities.

Taiwan: Priority and Warning

Turning to Taiwan, Trump described the island as the "top priority" for the Chinese president since he first knew him 12 years ago. He affirmed that China would not dare take any action against Taiwan while he remains in power.

Trump noted there are parties within Taiwan pushing for independence, calling that path "fraught with risk." He suggested China might make a move on Taiwan if he were absent from the political scene, saying: "I think China might do something regarding Taiwan if I weren't around."