US and Chinese Leaders Send Clear Signal to Tehran Over Strait of Hormuz

The presidents of the United States and China have agreed that the Strait of Hormuz must remain open to global shipping traffic and that Iran must not be allowed to possess nuclear weapons. The joint position represents a rare moment of alignment between the world's two largest economies on Middle East policy. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical maritime chokepoint through which approximately one-fifth of the world's oil passes, connecting the Persian Gulf to international waters. Iran has previously threatened to close the strait during periods of heightened tensions with the West, particularly over sanctions related to its nuclear program.