Saudi Crown Prince and Xi Jinping Discuss Middle East Conflict Over Phone
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) held a telephone conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday (20/4) local time. The call took place amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East region.
A report from the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), as cited by AFP on Tuesday (21/4/2026), stated that the two leaders “discussed the latest developments in the region and their impact on regional and international security and economy”.
“They also discussed efforts to ease tensions and enhance security and stability in the region, particularly regarding maritime security and its economic implications, as well as its impact on vital global supplies,” SPA reported.
The Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway for global energy supplies affected by the war between the United States (US) and Israel against Iran, was also a topic of discussion between MBS and Xi.
A report from Chinese state media stated that Xi told MBS that “normal traffic” through the vital Strait of Hormuz “must be maintained”.
“Normal navigation through the Strait of Hormuz must be maintained, which is in the common interest of countries in the region and the international community,” Xi stated to MBS, as quoted by state television CCTV.
China is a major trading partner of Gulf countries and the primary buyer of Iranian oil, much of which passes through the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran has effectively blocked passage through the Strait of Hormuz since the war against the US-Israel began at the end of February. The US, under an order from President Donald Trump, has imposed a naval blockade on waters around Iranian ports since last week, in an effort to pressure Tehran into reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
The Chinese government views the US blockade as “dangerous and irresponsible”.
This week, Trump affirmed that the US will not lift the blockade on Iranian ports until an agreement is reached with Tehran. He claimed that the US-imposed naval blockade is “completely destroying Iran”.