Will China reap the benefits of Trump's Hormuz standoff with Iran?

China's influence over Tehran may position it to help resolve the impasse between Iran and the US. According to Haaretz, Chinese President Xi Jinping's recent trip to Egypt signals the direction Beijing plans to take in the region.

The US and Iran are experiencing heightened tensions, with the US military prepared to launch more strikes on Iran, according to President Donald Trump. The US had recently carried out a strike near the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran claims hit a wedding party, killing at least four people and wounding dozens. Trump also suggested renaming the Strait of Hormuz to "Trump Strait", claiming the US now controls the waterway, despite continued Iranian attacks on vessels in the area.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on the sidelines of the 26th SCO Summit in Kyrgyzstan's Bishkek. Meanwhile, US Democratic lawmakers have accused the Trump administration of using the critical minerals contest with China as an excuse for corruption, alleging billions of dollars in deals were enriching the president's family and friends.

Brief written by urgent.news from Haaretz, Hindustan Times, Gulf News, The Vibes, Reuters Business via SCMP — 5 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.