U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio says Washington hopes to convince Beijing to pressure Iran to de-escalate tensions in the Persian Gulf.President Trump and China's Xi Jinping agreed in Beijing that the Strait of Hormuz "must remain open" and Iran "can never have a nuclear weapon".A ship was seized off the UAE coast and taken toward Iranian waters amid ongoing maritime chaos.CENTCOM commander reports U.S. bombing campaign destroyed 90% of Iran's naval mines, but threats to shipping persist.The International Monetary Fund warns global economic outlook is moving toward an "adverse" scenario due to the conflict.

President Trump and China's Xi Jinping agreed in Beijing that the Strait of Hormuz "must remain open" and Iran "can never have a nuclear weapon".A ship was seized off the UAE coast and taken toward Iranian waters amid ongoing maritime chaos.CENTCOM commander reports U.S. bombing campaign destroyed 90% of Iran's naval mines, but threats to shipping persist.The International Monetary Fund warns global economic outlook is moving toward an "adverse" scenario due to the conflict.

A ship was seized off the UAE coast and taken toward Iranian waters amid ongoing maritime chaos.CENTCOM commander reports U.S. bombing campaign destroyed 90% of Iran's naval mines, but threats to shipping persist.The International Monetary Fund warns global economic outlook is moving toward an "adverse" scenario due to the conflict.

CENTCOM commander reports U.S. bombing campaign destroyed 90% of Iran's naval mines, but threats to shipping persist.The International Monetary Fund warns global economic outlook is moving toward an "adverse" scenario due to the conflict.

The International Monetary Fund warns global economic outlook is moving toward an "adverse" scenario due to the conflict.

Diplomacy at a crossroads over world's most vital waterwayA day after an unexplained ship seizure near the United Arab Emirates and a Hezbollah drone strike wounded Israeli civilians, President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed Thursday in Beijing that the Strait of Hormuz "must remain open" and Iran "can never have a nuclear weapon," according to a White House readout. The meeting came as Secretary of State Marco Rubio disclosed the administration hopes to convince China to pressure Iran into making concessions in the Middle East conflict—a diplomatic gambit that underscores both the strategic importance of the narrow waterway and the precarious state of global energy markets. The Strait of Hormuz, a 13-to-21-mile-wide passage connecting the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman, carries up to one-quarter of the world's energy supplies, making its security a matter of urgent economic and national security concern for the United States and its allies.The strategic chokepoint and Iran's leverageThe Strait of Hormuz has long been a flashpoint in Middle Eastern geopolitics. Bordering Iran to the north and the United Arab Emirates and Oman to the south, the strait's narrow shipping lanes—each about two miles wide, separated by a two-mile buffer zone—run within five to ten miles of Iranian territory. Iran maintains military installations on islands such as Hormuz and Abu Musa, which lie under Iranian jurisdiction, and has cities like Bandar Abbas and Jask that can serve as launch sites for missiles, drones and naval mines capable of harassing commercial shipping.The CENTCOM commander, Admiral Brad Cooper, told the Senate Armed Services Committee on Thursday that the U.S. bombing campaign named Operation Epic Fury "significantly degraded" Iran's military capabilities. American forces destroyed more than 90% of Iran's inventory of 8,000 naval mines. However, Cooper acknowledged that Iran still retains some ability to threaten ships passing through the strait. "The Iranian ability to stop commerce has been dramatically degraded through the straits, but their voice is very loud," Cooper testified, noting that threats are "clearly heard by the merchant industry and the insurance industry."Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, speaking at the BRICS foreign ministers' meeting in New Delhi on Thursday, claimed the strait remains open for commercial vessels "as far as we are concerned." He asserted that Iran has "not made any obstacles" and blamed the United States for imposing a "blockade" that he called "illegal." Tehran has allowed some Chinese vessels to pass after discussions with China's foreign minister and ambassador, according to Iran's semi-official Fars news agency, with some ships reportedly paying fees for transit.Trump-Xi summit: Common ground but divergent goalsThe Trump-Xi summit in Beijing produced a joint statement affirming that the Strait of Hormuz "must remain open" and that Iran "can never have a nuclear weapon." However, the two leaders appeared to have fundamentally different approaches to resolving the crisis. Trump told Fox News host Sean Hannity that Xi offered to help broker a deal with Iran. "President Xi would like to see a deal made," Trump said. "He did offer, he said, 'If I can be of any help at all, I would like to be of help.'"Yet Rubio, speaking to NBC News after the summit, insisted that Trump did not ask China for assistance. "He didn't ask them for anything," Rubio said. "We're not asking for China's help. We don't need their help." The secretary of state emphasized that both countries oppose militarizing the strait and establishing an Iranian tolling system for ships, as well as Iran's placement of mines in international waters. "It's good that we have alliance, or at least agreement, on that point," Rubio said.China has condemned the war against Iran as illegal under international law and dismissed U.S. sanctions targeting Chinese refineries and satellite companies accused of aiding Iran. Beijing ordered domestic businesses not to comply with the sanctions, creating a tension between its stated opposition to Iranian aggression and its economic interests in maintaining access to energy supplies.Economic fallout and global repercussionsThe ongoing crisis is exacting a heavy toll on the global economy. The International Monetary Fund warned Thursday that continuing disruptions due to the Iran war are pushing its global economic outlook toward an "adverse" scenario. Last month, the IMF's World Economic Outlook predicted global growth would drop to 3.1% in 2026 under its "reference" scenario. In the adverse scenario, where oil prices remain higher for longer, inflation expectations become less stable, financial conditions tighten and growth slows to 2.5%.Retail sales in the United States rose only 0.5% in April, a marked slowdown from the revised 1.6% growth in March, according to Commerce Department data released Thursday. Excluding gas sales, retail spending increased just 0.3%. Higher gas prices fueled by the war have left consumers with less disposable income for nonessentials like clothing and furniture. Department store sales fell 3.2%, while furniture and home furnishings stores slipped 2%.Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, traveling with Trump in Beijing, told CNBC it is "very much" in China's interest to get the Strait of Hormuz reopened. "They will be working with, behind the scenes, to the extent anyone has any say over the Iranian leadership," Bessent said. He noted that U.S. military operations had "decapitated" several layers of Iranian leadership, making communication with anyone who can act or negotiate on behalf of the country extremely difficult.Regional escalation and maritime insecurityThe crisis is not confined to the Strait of Hormuz alone. A UK maritime agency reported Thursday that a ship had been boarded by "unauthorised personnel" while at anchor off the UAE's Fujairah coast and was headed toward Iranian waters. This followed an attack on an Indian-flagged vessel off Oman. It remains unclear who was responsible for either incident.Iran's foreign minister accused the United Arab Emirates of being an "active partner" in the US-Israeli war against his country, alleging that Abu Dhabi participated in attacks and may have acted directly against Iran. The UAE has denied these accusations. Iranian state television has featured analysts alleging UAE involvement in the attacks on Iran. The UAE earlier this month blamed Iran for a drone strike at an energy installation in its eastern emirate of Fujairah, a claim Tehran denied.A Hezbollah drone exploded inside Israel on Thursday, wounding three civilians—the first such injury from Hezbollah projectiles since a US-brokered ceasefire began on April 17. The attack came hours before a third round of direct talks between Israel and Lebanon in Washington. Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed militant group, has rejected the direct talks as "free concessions" to Israel. Meanwhile, the CENTCOM commander confirmed that Hamas, Hezbollah and Yemen's Houthi rebels are now cut off from Iran's weapons supply, a result he called "the culmination of months of careful planning."A precarious balance of powerThe Strait of Hormuz remains the world's most consequential maritime chokepoint, and the crisis surrounding it has laid bare the intricate dependencies and vulnerabilities of the global energy system. The Trump administration's decision to engage China as a potential intermediary reflects both the limits of American military power—CENTCOM has destroyed 90% of Iran's naval mines but cannot compel Iranian cooperation—and the necessity of multilateral diplomacy in a region where no single power can dictate outcomes. The agreement between Trump and Xi that the strait must remain open provides a diplomatic foundation, but the divergent interests of Washington, Beijing and Tehran make a comprehensive resolution uncertain. As the IMF warns of a worsening economic outlook and consumers feel the pinch of higher gas prices, the world waits to see whether China will use its leverage with Iran—or whether the strategic chokepoint will remain a flashpoint for conflict and economic disruption.Sources for this article include:RT.comCBSNews.comAOL.com

A day after an unexplained ship seizure near the United Arab Emirates and a Hezbollah drone strike wounded Israeli civilians, President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed Thursday in Beijing that the Strait of Hormuz "must remain open" and Iran "can never have a nuclear weapon," according to a White House readout. The meeting came as Secretary of State Marco Rubio disclosed the administration hopes to convince China to pressure Iran into making concessions in the Middle East conflict—a diplomatic gambit that underscores both the strategic importance of the narrow waterway and the precarious state of global energy markets. The Strait of Hormuz, a 13-to-21-mile-wide passage connecting the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman, carries up to one-quarter of the world's energy supplies, making its security a matter of urgent economic and national security concern for the United States and its allies.The strategic chokepoint and Iran's leverageThe Strait of Hormuz has long been a flashpoint in Middle Eastern geopolitics. Bordering Iran to the north and the United Arab Emirates and Oman to the south, the strait's narrow shipping lanes—each about two miles wide, separated by a two-mile buffer zone—run within five to ten miles of Iranian territory. Iran maintains military installations on islands such as Hormuz and Abu Musa, which lie under Iranian jurisdiction, and has cities like Bandar Abbas and Jask that can serve as launch sites for missiles, drones and naval mines capable of harassing commercial shipping.The CENTCOM commander, Admiral Brad Cooper, told the Senate Armed Services Committee on Thursday that the U.S. bombing campaign named Operation Epic Fury "significantly degraded" Iran's military capabilities. American forces destroyed more than 90% of Iran's inventory of 8,000 naval mines. However, Cooper acknowledged that Iran still retains some ability to threaten ships passing through the strait. "The Iranian ability to stop commerce has been dramatically degraded through the straits, but their voice is very loud," Cooper testified, noting that threats are "clearly heard by the merchant industry and the insurance industry."Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, speaking at the BRICS foreign ministers' meeting in New Delhi on Thursday, claimed the strait remains open for commercial vessels "as far as we are concerned." He asserted that Iran has "not made any obstacles" and blamed the United States for imposing a "blockade" that he called "illegal." Tehran has allowed some Chinese vessels to pass after discussions with China's foreign minister and ambassador, according to Iran's semi-official Fars news agency, with some ships reportedly paying fees for transit.Trump-Xi summit: Common ground but divergent goalsThe Trump-Xi summit in Beijing produced a joint statement affirming that the Strait of Hormuz "must remain open" and that Iran "can never have a nuclear weapon." However, the two leaders appeared to have fundamentally different approaches to resolving the crisis. Trump told Fox News host Sean Hannity that Xi offered to help broker a deal with Iran. "President Xi would like to see a deal made," Trump said. "He did offer, he said, 'If I can be of any help at all, I would like to be of help.'"Yet Rubio, speaking to NBC News after the summit, insisted that Trump did not ask China for assistance. "He didn't ask them for anything," Rubio said. "We're not asking for China's help. We don't need their help." The secretary of state emphasized that both countries oppose militarizing the strait and establishing an Iranian tolling system for ships, as well as Iran's placement of mines in international waters. "It's good that we have alliance, or at least agreement, on that point," Rubio said.China has condemned the war against Iran as illegal under international law and dismissed U.S. sanctions targeting Chinese refineries and satellite companies accused of aiding Iran. Beijing ordered domestic businesses not to comply with the sanctions, creating a tension between its stated opposition to Iranian aggression and its economic interests in maintaining access to energy supplies.Economic fallout and global repercussionsThe ongoing crisis is exacting a heavy toll on the global economy. The International Monetary Fund warned Thursday that continuing disruptions due to the Iran war are pushing its global economic outlook toward an "adverse" scenario. Last month, the IMF's World Economic Outlook predicted global growth would drop to 3.1% in 2026 under its "reference" scenario. In the adverse scenario, where oil prices remain higher for longer, inflation expectations become less stable, financial conditions tighten and growth slows to 2.5%.Retail sales in the United States rose only 0.5% in April, a marked slowdown from the revised 1.6% growth in March, according to Commerce Department data released Thursday. Excluding gas sales, retail spending increased just 0.3%. Higher gas prices fueled by the war have left consumers with less disposable income for nonessentials like clothing and furniture. Department store sales fell 3.2%, while furniture and home furnishings stores slipped 2%.Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, traveling with Trump in Beijing, told CNBC it is "very much" in China's interest to get the Strait of Hormuz reopened. "They will be working with, behind the scenes, to the extent anyone has any say over the Iranian leadership," Bessent said. He noted that U.S. military operations had "decapitated" several layers of Iranian leadership, making communication with anyone who can act or negotiate on behalf of the country extremely difficult.Regional escalation and maritime insecurityThe crisis is not confined to the Strait of Hormuz alone. A UK maritime agency reported Thursday that a ship had been boarded by "unauthorised personnel" while at anchor off the UAE's Fujairah coast and was headed toward Iranian waters. This followed an attack on an Indian-flagged vessel off Oman. It remains unclear who was responsible for either incident.Iran's foreign minister accused the United Arab Emirates of being an "active partner" in the US-Israeli war against his country, alleging that Abu Dhabi participated in attacks and may have acted directly against Iran. The UAE has denied these accusations. Iranian state television has featured analysts alleging UAE involvement in the attacks on Iran. The UAE earlier this month blamed Iran for a drone strike at an energy installation in its eastern emirate of Fujairah, a claim Tehran denied.A Hezbollah drone exploded inside Israel on Thursday, wounding three civilians—the first such injury from Hezbollah projectiles since a US-brokered ceasefire began on April 17. The attack came hours before a third round of direct talks between Israel and Lebanon in Washington. Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed militant group, has rejected the direct talks as "free concessions" to Israel. Meanwhile, the CENTCOM commander confirmed that Hamas, Hezbollah and Yemen's Houthi rebels are now cut off from Iran's weapons supply, a result he called "the culmination of months of careful planning."A precarious balance of powerThe Strait of Hormuz remains the world's most consequential maritime chokepoint, and the crisis surrounding it has laid bare the intricate dependencies and vulnerabilities of the global energy system. The Trump administration's decision to engage China as a potential intermediary reflects both the limits of American military power—CENTCOM has destroyed 90% of Iran's naval mines but cannot compel Iranian cooperation—and the necessity of multilateral diplomacy in a region where no single power can dictate outcomes. The agreement between Trump and Xi that the strait must remain open provides a diplomatic foundation, but the divergent interests of Washington, Beijing and Tehran make a comprehensive resolution uncertain. As the IMF warns of a worsening economic outlook and consumers feel the pinch of higher gas prices, the world waits to see whether China will use its leverage with Iran—or whether the strategic chokepoint will remain a flashpoint for conflict and economic disruption.Sources for this article include:RT.comCBSNews.comAOL.com

The strategic chokepoint and Iran's leverageThe Strait of Hormuz has long been a flashpoint in Middle Eastern geopolitics. Bordering Iran to the north and the United Arab Emirates and Oman to the south, the strait's narrow shipping lanes—each about two miles wide, separated by a two-mile buffer zone—run within five to ten miles of Iranian territory. Iran maintains military installations on islands such as Hormuz and Abu Musa, which lie under Iranian jurisdiction, and has cities like Bandar Abbas and Jask that can serve as launch sites for missiles, drones and naval mines capable of harassing commercial shipping.The CENTCOM commander, Admiral Brad Cooper, told the Senate Armed Services Committee on Thursday that the U.S. bombing campaign named Operation Epic Fury "significantly degraded" Iran's military capabilities. American forces destroyed more than 90% of Iran's inventory of 8,000 naval mines. However, Cooper acknowledged that Iran still retains some ability to threaten ships passing through the strait. "The Iranian ability to stop commerce has been dramatically degraded through the straits, but their voice is very loud," Cooper testified, noting that threats are "clearly heard by the merchant industry and the insurance industry."Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, speaking at the BRICS foreign ministers' meeting in New Delhi on Thursday, claimed the strait remains open for commercial vessels "as far as we are concerned." He asserted that Iran has "not made any obstacles" and blamed the United States for imposing a "blockade" that he called "illegal." Tehran has allowed some Chinese vessels to pass after discussions with China's foreign minister and ambassador, according to Iran's semi-official Fars news agency, with some ships reportedly paying fees for transit.Trump-Xi summit: Common ground but divergent goalsThe Trump-Xi summit in Beijing produced a joint statement affirming that the Strait of Hormuz "must remain open" and that Iran "can never have a nuclear weapon." However, the two leaders appeared to have fundamentally different approaches to resolving the crisis. Trump told Fox News host Sean Hannity that Xi offered to help broker a deal with Iran. "President Xi would like to see a deal made," Trump said. "He did offer, he said, 'If I can be of any help at all, I would like to be of help.'"Yet Rubio, speaking to NBC News after the summit, insisted that Trump did not ask China for assistance. "He didn't ask them for anything," Rubio said. "We're not asking for China's help. We don't need their help." The secretary of state emphasized that both countries oppose militarizing the strait and establishing an Iranian tolling system for ships, as well as Iran's placement of mines in international waters. "It's good that we have alliance, or at least agreement, on that point," Rubio said.China has condemned the war against Iran as illegal under international law and dismissed U.S. sanctions targeting Chinese refineries and satellite companies accused of aiding Iran. Beijing ordered domestic businesses not to comply with the sanctions, creating a tension between its stated opposition to Iranian aggression and its economic interests in maintaining access to energy supplies.Economic fallout and global repercussionsThe ongoing crisis is exacting a heavy toll on the global economy. The International Monetary Fund warned Thursday that continuing disruptions due to the Iran war are pushing its global economic outlook toward an "adverse" scenario. Last month, the IMF's World Economic Outlook predicted global growth would drop to 3.1% in 2026 under its "reference" scenario. In the adverse scenario, where oil prices remain higher for longer, inflation expectations become less stable, financial conditions tighten and growth slows to 2.5%.Retail sales in the United States rose only 0.5% in April, a marked slowdown from the revised 1.6% growth in March, according to Commerce Department data released Thursday. Excluding gas sales, retail spending increased just 0.3%. Higher gas prices fueled by the war have left consumers with less disposable income for nonessentials like clothing and furniture. Department store sales fell 3.2%, while furniture and home furnishings stores slipped 2%.Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, traveling with Trump in Beijing, told CNBC it is "very much" in China's interest to get the Strait of Hormuz reopened. "They will be working with, behind the scenes, to the extent anyone has any say over the Iranian leadership," Bessent said. He noted that U.S. military operations had "decapitated" several layers of Iranian leadership, making communication with anyone who can act or negotiate on behalf of the country extremely difficult.Regional escalation and maritime insecurityThe crisis is not confined to the Strait of Hormuz alone. A UK maritime agency reported Thursday that a ship had been boarded by "unauthorised personnel" while at anchor off the UAE's Fujairah coast and was headed toward Iranian waters. This followed an attack on an Indian-flagged vessel off Oman. It remains unclear who was responsible for either incident.Iran's foreign minister accused the United Arab Emirates of being an "active partner" in the US-Israeli war against his country, alleging that Abu Dhabi participated in attacks and may have acted directly against Iran. The UAE has denied these accusations. Iranian state television has featured analysts alleging UAE involvement in the attacks on Iran. The UAE earlier this month blamed Iran for a drone strike at an energy installation in its eastern emirate of Fujairah, a claim Tehran denied.A Hezbollah drone exploded inside Israel on Thursday, wounding three civilians—the first such injury from Hezbollah projectiles since a US-brokered ceasefire began on April 17. The attack came hours before a third round of direct talks between Israel and Lebanon in Washington. Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed militant group, has rejected the direct talks as "free concessions" to Israel. Meanwhile, the CENTCOM commander confirmed that Hamas, Hezbollah and Yemen's Houthi rebels are now cut off from Iran's weapons supply, a result he called "the culmination of months of careful planning."A precarious balance of powerThe Strait of Hormuz remains the world's most consequential maritime chokepoint, and the crisis surrounding it has laid bare the intricate dependencies and vulnerabilities of the global energy system. The Trump administration's decision to engage China as a potential intermediary reflects both the limits of American military power—CENTCOM has destroyed 90% of Iran's naval mines but cannot compel Iranian cooperation—and the necessity of multilateral diplomacy in a region where no single power can dictate outcomes. The agreement between Trump and Xi that the strait must remain open provides a diplomatic foundation, but the divergent interests of Washington, Beijing and Tehran make a comprehensive resolution uncertain. As the IMF warns of a worsening economic outlook and consumers feel the pinch of higher gas prices, the world waits to see whether China will use its leverage with Iran—or whether the strategic chokepoint will remain a flashpoint for conflict and economic disruption.Sources for this article include:RT.comCBSNews.comAOL.com

The Strait of Hormuz has long been a flashpoint in Middle Eastern geopolitics. Bordering Iran to the north and the United Arab Emirates and Oman to the south, the strait's narrow shipping lanes—each about two miles wide, separated by a two-mile buffer zone—run within five to ten miles of Iranian territory. Iran maintains military installations on islands such as Hormuz and Abu Musa, which lie under Iranian jurisdiction, and has cities like Bandar Abbas and Jask that can serve as launch sites for missiles, drones and naval mines capable of harassing commercial shipping.The CENTCOM commander, Admiral Brad Cooper, told the Senate Armed Services Committee on Thursday that the U.S. bombing campaign named Operation Epic Fury "significantly degraded" Iran's military capabilities. American forces destroyed more than 90% of Iran's inventory of 8,000 naval mines. However, Cooper acknowledged that Iran still retains some ability to threaten ships passing through the strait. "The Iranian ability to stop commerce has been dramatically degraded through the straits, but their voice is very loud," Cooper testified, noting that threats are "clearly heard by the merchant industry and the insurance industry."Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, speaking at the BRICS foreign ministers' meeting in New Delhi on Thursday, claimed the strait remains open for commercial vessels "as far as we are concerned." He asserted that Iran has "not made any obstacles" and blamed the United States for imposing a "blockade" that he called "illegal." Tehran has allowed some Chinese vessels to pass after discussions with China's foreign minister and ambassador, according to Iran's semi-official Fars news agency, with some ships reportedly paying fees for transit.Trump-Xi summit: Common ground but divergent goalsThe Trump-Xi summit in Beijing produced a joint statement affirming that the Strait of Hormuz "must remain open" and that Iran "can never have a nuclear weapon." However, the two leaders appeared to have fundamentally different approaches to resolving the crisis. Trump told Fox News host Sean Hannity that Xi offered to help broker a deal with Iran. "President Xi would like to see a deal made," Trump said. "He did offer, he said, 'If I can be of any help at all, I would like to be of help.'"Yet Rubio, speaking to NBC News after the summit, insisted that Trump did not ask China for assistance. "He didn't ask them for anything," Rubio said. "We're not asking for China's help. We don't need their help." The secretary of state emphasized that both countries oppose militarizing the strait and establishing an Iranian tolling system for ships, as well as Iran's placement of mines in international waters. "It's good that we have alliance, or at least agreement, on that point," Rubio said.China has condemned the war against Iran as illegal under international law and dismissed U.S. sanctions targeting Chinese refineries and satellite companies accused of aiding Iran. Beijing ordered domestic businesses not to comply with the sanctions, creating a tension between its stated opposition to Iranian aggression and its economic interests in maintaining access to energy supplies.Economic fallout and global repercussionsThe ongoing crisis is exacting a heavy toll on the global economy. The International Monetary Fund warned Thursday that continuing disruptions due to the Iran war are pushing its global economic outlook toward an "adverse" scenario. Last month, the IMF's World Economic Outlook predicted global growth would drop to 3.1% in 2026 under its "reference" scenario. In the adverse scenario, where oil prices remain higher for longer, inflation expectations become less stable, financial conditions tighten and growth slows to 2.5%.Retail sales in the United States rose only 0.5% in April, a marked slowdown from the revised 1.6% growth in March, according to Commerce Department data released Thursday. Excluding gas sales, retail spending increased just 0.3%. Higher gas prices fueled by the war have left consumers with less disposable income for nonessentials like clothing and furniture. Department store sales fell 3.2%, while furniture and home furnishings stores slipped 2%.Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, traveling with Trump in Beijing, told CNBC it is "very much" in China's interest to get the Strait of Hormuz reopened. "They will be working with, behind the scenes, to the extent anyone has any say over the Iranian leadership," Bessent said. He noted that U.S. military operations had "decapitated" several layers of Iranian leadership, making communication with anyone who can act or negotiate on behalf of the country extremely difficult.Regional escalation and maritime insecurityThe crisis is not confined to the Strait of Hormuz alone. A UK maritime agency reported Thursday that a ship had been boarded by "unauthorised personnel" while at anchor off the UAE's Fujairah coast and was headed toward Iranian waters. This followed an attack on an Indian-flagged vessel off Oman. It remains unclear who was responsible for either incident.Iran's foreign minister accused the United Arab Emirates of being an "active partner" in the US-Israeli war against his country, alleging that Abu Dhabi participated in attacks and may have acted directly against Iran. The UAE has denied these accusations. Iranian state television has featured analysts alleging UAE involvement in the attacks on Iran. The UAE earlier this month blamed Iran for a drone strike at an energy installation in its eastern emirate of Fujairah, a claim Tehran denied.A Hezbollah drone exploded inside Israel on Thursday, wounding three civilians—the first such injury from Hezbollah projectiles since a US-brokered ceasefire began on April 17. The attack came hours before a third round of direct talks between Israel and Lebanon in Washington. Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed militant group, has rejected the direct talks as "free concessions" to Israel. Meanwhile, the CENTCOM commander confirmed that Hamas, Hezbollah and Yemen's Houthi rebels are now cut off from Iran's weapons supply, a result he called "the culmination of months of careful planning."A precarious balance of powerThe Strait of Hormuz remains the world's most consequential maritime chokepoint, and the crisis surrounding it has laid bare the intricate dependencies and vulnerabilities of the global energy system. The Trump administration's decision to engage China as a potential intermediary reflects both the limits of American military power—CENTCOM has destroyed 90% of Iran's naval mines but cannot compel Iranian cooperation—and the necessity of multilateral diplomacy in a region where no single power can dictate outcomes. The agreement between Trump and Xi that the strait must remain open provides a diplomatic foundation, but the divergent interests of Washington, Beijing and Tehran make a comprehensive resolution uncertain. As the IMF warns of a worsening economic outlook and consumers feel the pinch of higher gas prices, the world waits to see whether China will use its leverage with Iran—or whether the strategic chokepoint will remain a flashpoint for conflict and economic disruption.Sources for this article include:RT.comCBSNews.comAOL.com

The CENTCOM commander, Admiral Brad Cooper, told the Senate Armed Services Committee on Thursday that the U.S. bombing campaign named Operation Epic Fury "significantly degraded" Iran's military capabilities. American forces destroyed more than 90% of Iran's inventory of 8,000 naval mines. However, Cooper acknowledged that Iran still retains some ability to threaten ships passing through the strait. "The Iranian ability to stop commerce has been dramatically degraded through the straits, but their voice is very loud," Cooper testified, noting that threats are "clearly heard by the merchant industry and the insurance industry."Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, speaking at the BRICS foreign ministers' meeting in New Delhi on Thursday, claimed the strait remains open for commercial vessels "as far as we are concerned." He asserted that Iran has "not made any obstacles" and blamed the United States for imposing a "blockade" that he called "illegal." Tehran has allowed some Chinese vessels to pass after discussions with China's foreign minister and ambassador, according to Iran's semi-official Fars news agency, with some ships reportedly paying fees for transit.Trump-Xi summit: Common ground but divergent goalsThe Trump-Xi summit in Beijing produced a joint statement affirming that the Strait of Hormuz "must remain open" and that Iran "can never have a nuclear weapon." However, the two leaders appeared to have fundamentally different approaches to resolving the crisis. Trump told Fox News host Sean Hannity that Xi offered to help broker a deal with Iran. "President Xi would like to see a deal made," Trump said. "He did offer, he said, 'If I can be of any help at all, I would like to be of help.'"Yet Rubio, speaking to NBC News after the summit, insisted that Trump did not ask China for assistance. "He didn't ask them for anything," Rubio said. "We're not asking for China's help. We don't need their help." The secretary of state emphasized that both countries oppose militarizing the strait and establishing an Iranian tolling system for ships, as well as Iran's placement of mines in international waters. "It's good that we have alliance, or at least agreement, on that point," Rubio said.China has condemned the war against Iran as illegal under international law and dismissed U.S. sanctions targeting Chinese refineries and satellite companies accused of aiding Iran. Beijing ordered domestic businesses not to comply with the sanctions, creating a tension between its stated opposition to Iranian aggression and its economic interests in maintaining access to energy supplies.Economic fallout and global repercussionsThe ongoing crisis is exacting a heavy toll on the global economy. The International Monetary Fund warned Thursday that continuing disruptions due to the Iran war are pushing its global economic outlook toward an "adverse" scenario. Last month, the IMF's World Economic Outlook predicted global growth would drop to 3.1% in 2026 under its "reference" scenario. In the adverse scenario, where oil prices remain higher for longer, inflation expectations become less stable, financial conditions tighten and growth slows to 2.5%.Retail sales in the United States rose only 0.5% in April, a marked slowdown from the revised 1.6% growth in March, according to Commerce Department data released Thursday. Excluding gas sales, retail spending increased just 0.3%. Higher gas prices fueled by the war have left consumers with less disposable income for nonessentials like clothing and furniture. Department store sales fell 3.2%, while furniture and home furnishings stores slipped 2%.Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, traveling with Trump in Beijing, told CNBC it is "very much" in China's interest to get the Strait of Hormuz reopened. "They will be working with, behind the scenes, to the extent anyone has any say over the Iranian leadership," Bessent said. He noted that U.S. military operations had "decapitated" several layers of Iranian leadership, making communication with anyone who can act or negotiate on behalf of the country extremely difficult.Regional escalation and maritime insecurityThe crisis is not confined to the Strait of Hormuz alone. A UK maritime agency reported Thursday that a ship had been boarded by "unauthorised personnel" while at anchor off the UAE's Fujairah coast and was headed toward Iranian waters. This followed an attack on an Indian-flagged vessel off Oman. It remains unclear who was responsible for either incident.Iran's foreign minister accused the United Arab Emirates of being an "active partner" in the US-Israeli war against his country, alleging that Abu Dhabi participated in attacks and may have acted directly against Iran. The UAE has denied these accusations. Iranian state television has featured analysts alleging UAE involvement in the attacks on Iran. The UAE earlier this month blamed Iran for a drone strike at an energy installation in its eastern emirate of Fujairah, a claim Tehran denied.A Hezbollah drone exploded inside Israel on Thursday, wounding three civilians—the first such injury from Hezbollah projectiles since a US-brokered ceasefire began on April 17. The attack came hours before a third round of direct talks between Israel and Lebanon in Washington. Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed militant group, has rejected the direct talks as "free concessions" to Israel. Meanwhile, the CENTCOM commander confirmed that Hamas, Hezbollah and Yemen's Houthi rebels are now cut off from Iran's weapons supply, a result he called "the culmination of months of careful planning."A precarious balance of powerThe Strait of Hormuz remains the world's most consequential maritime chokepoint, and the crisis surrounding it has laid bare the intricate dependencies and vulnerabilities of the global energy system. The Trump administration's decision to engage China as a potential intermediary reflects both the limits of American military power—CENTCOM has destroyed 90% of Iran's naval mines but cannot compel Iranian cooperation—and the necessity of multilateral diplomacy in a region where no single power can dictate outcomes. The agreement between Trump and Xi that the strait must remain open provides a diplomatic foundation, but the divergent interests of Washington, Beijing and Tehran make a comprehensive resolution uncertain. As the IMF warns of a worsening economic outlook and consumers feel the pinch of higher gas prices, the world waits to see whether China will use its leverage with Iran—or whether the strategic chokepoint will remain a flashpoint for conflict and economic disruption.Sources for this article include:RT.comCBSNews.comAOL.com

Source: NaturalNews.com