Freedom of navigation ‘core pillar of global peace', US envoy says

China urged Iran to pursue a diplomatic resolution to tensions in the Middle East and avoid renewed hostilities, while also calling for the reopening of shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, ahead of an upcoming US-China summit, according to Reuters.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi made the remarks during a meeting with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi in Beijing, where he called for an immediate end to hostilities and continued negotiations, according to statements cited by Chinese and Iranian sources.

The visit comes as Beijing seeks to position itself as a mediator in the conflict and secure stability in global energy routes, particularly the Strait of Hormuz, the report added.

US President Donald Trump said the war with Iran “will be over quickly,” as he pushed for a deal to resolve tensions over the Strait of Hormuz and Iran’s nuclear program, according to Reuters.

Speaking during a tele-rally for Georgia Republican governor candidate Burt Jones on Wednesday night, Trump said the US action was aimed at preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, adding: “It’ll be over quickly."

US President Donald Trump paused a planned operation to secure shipping through the Strait of Hormuz after Saudi Arabia restricted US military access to key bases and airspace, according to NBC News, citing US officials.

NBC reported that the operation, referred to as “Project Freedom,” was intended to support maritime transit in the strategic waterway, but was halted after Riyadh suspended US use of Prince Sultan Air Base and related air corridors.

The report said a call between Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman did not resolve the issue, prompting the pause as Washington sought to restore access.

A White House official said allies had been notified in advance, while Saudi and regional sources cited ongoing diplomatic coordination amid broader efforts to de-escalate tensions in the Persian Gulf.

US negotiators have revived a proposal involving the transfer of Iran’s highly enriched uranium in exchange for the release of around $20 billion in frozen Iranian funds and sanctions relief, according to WIRED.

The report said Vice President JD Vance, special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner initially advanced the framework with presidential approval, under which Iran would hand over its enriched uranium and agree to a 12–15 year moratorium on enrichment. However, the deal was later rejected by President Donald Trump over political concerns about the optics of releasing funds to Tehran, before the same framework re-emerged in renewed post-conflict discussions, WIRED reported.

US-sanctioned, cargo-empty tankers are continuing to arrive in Iran-linked shipping routes, according to maritime analytics group Tanker Trackers.

In a post on X, the group said a tanker identified as VINA/VALLEY (IMO 9157478), which it described as regularly involved in transporting Iranian LPG to Yemen, entered what it called a “blockade perimeter” while transmitting AIS signals.

It also said a larger Iranian oil tanker had arrived empty, adding that such movements “buy Tehran more time.”