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Washington Presses China to Ramp Up Pressure on Tehran to Open ‘Hormuz’

In this picture obtained from Iran's ISNA news agency on May 4, 2026, vessels are pictured anchored in the Strait of Hormuz off Bandar Abbas in southern Iran. (Photo by Amirhossein KHORGOOEI / ISNA / AFP) /
In this picture obtained from Iran's ISNA news agency on May 4, 2026, vessels are pictured anchored in the Strait of Hormuz off Bandar Abbas in southern Iran. (Photo by Amirhossein KHORGOOEI / ISNA / AFP) /
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Washington Presses China to Ramp Up Pressure on Tehran to Open ‘Hormuz’

In this picture obtained from Iran's ISNA news agency on May 4, 2026, vessels are pictured anchored in the Strait of Hormuz off Bandar Abbas in southern Iran. (Photo by Amirhossein KHORGOOEI / ISNA / AFP) /
In this picture obtained from Iran's ISNA news agency on May 4, 2026, vessels are pictured anchored in the Strait of Hormuz off Bandar Abbas in southern Iran. (Photo by Amirhossein KHORGOOEI / ISNA / AFP) /

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Monday pressed China to ramp up diplomatic pressure on Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz to international shipping, adding that the subject will be discussed when President Donald Trump meets with Chinese President Xi Jinping next week.

“China, let's see them step up with some diplomacy and get the Iranians to open the strait,” Bessent said on Monday during a live Fox News interview.

He said China was buying 90% of Iran's energy and accused Beijing of “funding the largest state sponsor of terrorism.”

The US official said that he was urging China to "join us in this international operation" to open the strait, but he did not specify what action Beijing should take.

He added that China and Russia should stop blocking initiatives moving through the United Nations, such as a resolution encouraging steps to protect commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

Bessent said Trump and Xi have been discussing the Iran situation and will exchange views on this in person during their May 14-15 summit in Beijing.

But he emphasized that the two will strive to maintain stability in the US-China relationship that was established with their trade truce reached last October in Busan, South Korea.

“We've had great stability in the relationship, and again, that comes from the two leaders having great respect for each other,” he said.

Bessent also insisted that Washington is fully in control of the Strait of Hormuz through its blockade of Iranian shipping and that the new US Navy operation to guide shipping through the strategic waterway will bring oil prices down.

The market, because of the war around the strait, is in deficit of between eight and 10 million barrels of oil a day right now, Bessent added.

“Every crude carrier that goes through has about two million barrels,” he said.

He expects there are “more than 150, 200 crude carriers that can come out,” and that the “market is going to be very well supplied.”

Bessent called high fuel prices a “temporary aberration” that will end in a matter of weeks or months.

“Again, we are cognizant that this short-term blip up in prices is affecting the American people, but I am also confident on the other side of this, prices are going to come down very quickly,” he said, adding that the oil market will be well-supplied.

 

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World

Japan Rejects 'New Militarism,’ Accuses China of Rapidly Arming

Shinjiro Koizumi, Japan's defense minister, speaks at the Shangri-La Dialogue security summit in Singapore, May 31, 2026. REUTERS/Caroline Chia
Shinjiro Koizumi, Japan's defense minister, speaks at the Shangri-La Dialogue security summit in Singapore, May 31, 2026. REUTERS/Caroline Chia
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Japan Rejects 'New Militarism,’ Accuses China of Rapidly Arming

Shinjiro Koizumi, Japan's defense minister, speaks at the Shangri-La Dialogue security summit in Singapore, May 31, 2026. REUTERS/Caroline Chia
Shinjiro Koizumi, Japan's defense minister, speaks at the Shangri-La Dialogue security summit in Singapore, May 31, 2026. REUTERS/Caroline Chia

Japan's Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi on Sunday rejected accusations of "new militarism" by Tokyo and criticized China for rapidly expanding its military with little transparency, underscoring mounting tensions between the two countries.

China continues to increase its defense spending at a high level, Koizumi said at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, adding: "China's external approach and military activities are matters of serious concern for Japan and the international community at the same time."

Rebutting criticism that Japan was embracing new militarism, he said: "Think about it. There's a country that has a huge arsenal of nuclear weapons and strategic bombers. Japan has neither of such ⁠weapons, and yet ⁠Japan is labelled 'new militarism'?"

Koizumi said Japan's record since World War Two "speaks for itself", citing its adherence to international law and commitment to the United Nations Charter, alongside efforts to uphold a "free and open international order."

In May, China's foreign ministry called on Asia-Pacific countries to be vigilant and "jointly resist the reckless actions of Japan's neo-militarism".

At the Singapore forum, Chinese delegate Major General Meng Xiangqing also criticized Japan.

"I deeply doubt whether ⁠a country that has not thoroughly eradicated the toxic legacy of militarism is qualified to talk extensively about defense cooperation on international occasions, and whether it can win the trust of the international community, especially the Asian countries it once invaded," he said.

Ties between Japan and China sank to their worst level in years after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi warned in November that a hypothetical Chinese attack on Taiwan could draw a Japanese military response.

China claims Taiwan as its own territory, over the objections of Taipei's government.

Koizumi said he was "sad" he could not meet his Chinese counterpart at the dialogue, Asia's premier defense forum, but insisted Japan remains open to ⁠engagement. "We keep ⁠the door open," he said, reaffirming Japan's commitment to dialogue with China and other regional players to foster stability.

For the second year running, Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun has given the free-wheeling Singapore security meeting a miss, skipping opportunities to meet his counterparts.

Koizumi said Japan is "determined" to play a new role in defense equipment cooperation in the Asia-Pacific and aims to tangibly strengthen deterrence in the region.

"We seek a region that can stand against coercion. We seek a region that is not misled by falsehoods. We seek a region that is not influenced by pressure," he said.

In April, Tokyo unveiled its biggest overhaul of defense export rules in decades, scrapping restrictions on overseas arms sales and opening the way for exports of warships, missiles and other weapons.

World

IAEA: Turbine Building at Ukrainian Nuclear Plant Attacked

An image showing part of the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in southeastern Ukraine (Reuters file photo)
An image showing part of the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in southeastern Ukraine (Reuters file photo)
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IAEA: Turbine Building at Ukrainian Nuclear Plant Attacked

An image showing part of the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in southeastern Ukraine (Reuters file photo)
An image showing part of the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in southeastern Ukraine (Reuters file photo)

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Saturday said it has been informed by the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in southeastern Ukraine that a drone struck ⁠a turbine building ⁠at the site, reportedly causing a hole in its wall.

IAEA chief ⁠Rafael Grossi expressed serious concern about the reported incident and said "Attacking nuclear sites is like playing with fire."

The IAEA’s team at the Russian-held power ⁠plant ⁠has requested access to examine the affected turbine building first-hand, the agency said in an X post.

World

Did Iran Use Chinese Missile to Shoot Down a US Fighter Jet Last Month?

This handout photo provided by Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) official website Sepah News on April 5, 2026 reportedly shows the wreckage and remains of targeted and crashed aircraft in central Iran. (Photo by SEPAH NEWS / AFP)
This handout photo provided by Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) official website Sepah News on April 5, 2026 reportedly shows the wreckage and remains of targeted and crashed aircraft in central Iran. (Photo by SEPAH NEWS / AFP)
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Did Iran Use Chinese Missile to Shoot Down a US Fighter Jet Last Month?

This handout photo provided by Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) official website Sepah News on April 5, 2026 reportedly shows the wreckage and remains of targeted and crashed aircraft in central Iran. (Photo by SEPAH NEWS / AFP)
This handout photo provided by Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) official website Sepah News on April 5, 2026 reportedly shows the wreckage and remains of targeted and crashed aircraft in central Iran. (Photo by SEPAH NEWS / AFP)

The F-15 fighter that was shot down over southwestern Iran last month and set off a dangerous rescue mission was probably struck by a Chinese-made shoulder-launched missile, three people with knowledge of the matter told NBC News on Saturday.

In the early days of the conflict, China also may have provided Iran with a long-range early-warning radar that spots stealth aircraft that are meant to evade detection, according to one of the people and a US official with knowledge of the matter.

US officials are still investigating the circumstances around the shootdown of the American F-15E Strike Eagle in April, the sources said. It was the first time in decades that a US fighter was downed by enemy fire.

It’s not clear when the military equipment was handed over.

But Iran’s use of weapons made in China complicates Americans’ relationship with Beijing at a time when President Donald Trump has sought China’s help in ending the conflict.

At the time the plane was downed last month, Trump said it was struck by a shoulder-launched missile.

About 2.1 meter-long and weighing around 18 kilograms, the weapons, also known as “man-portable air defense weapons,” or “Manpads,” provide an inexpensive, effective way to take down low-flying aircraft.

The two-man crew of the F-15 jet safely ejected from the aircraft over Iran. The pilot was rescued within seven hours, but it took two days to locate and rescue the weapons systems officer, who hid in the foothills of the Zagros Mountains, according to the Pentagon.

Asked about the shootdown of the F-15, a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy said in a statement: “China always acts prudently and responsibly on the export of military products, and exercises strict control in accordance with China’s laws and regulations on export control and due international obligations. China opposes groundless smear and ill-intentioned association.”

US intelligence reporting suggests China was planning to provide new air defense weaponry to Iran in coming weeks, NBC News reported previously.

US officials may have leaked the intelligence in a possible bid to expose China’s plans, according to former national security officials, a tactic used by previous administrations.

Earlier this month, the Trump administration accused China of allowing Iran access to Chinese satellites to help Tehran target US forces in the region.

The State Department imposed sanctions on three Chinese satellite companies that it said were providing imagery and data to enable Iran to launch attacks against US forces in the Middle East. China denied the accusation.

The US is aware of everything that China is doing to support Iran, according to the US official who had knowledge of the discussions, who said that China supported Iran before the war and any assistance during the ongoing conflict has not made a difference on the battlefield.

“It was not significant support. There was no decisive operational impact to it,” the US official said.

China once sold large quantities of weapons to Iran in the 1980s and 1990s, including ballistic missiles, anti-ship missiles, tanks, artillery and fighter jets.

But after a UN arms embargo against Iran was introduced in 2006, China backed away from major weapons sales and instead provided components and other technology to Iran that had both civilian and military uses, according to experts and the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.