Col. Wilkerson: Iran and China Show Control of Strait of Hormuz, Challenging Trump

Former U.S. Secretary of State official warns Trump against directly confronting China's Xi Jinping over the strategic waterway.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 12:39am

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A dynamic, abstract painting depicting a ship navigating the turbulent waters of the Strait of Hormuz, with overlapping geometric shapes and waves of deep blues, greens, and grays conveying the geopolitical tensions in the region.As tensions escalate over control of the strategic Strait of Hormuz, the growing alliance between Iran and China threatens to disrupt global energy markets and challenge American foreign policy.Austin Today

Col. Larry Wilkerson, former Chief of Staff to the U.S. Secretary of State, said China is decrying the U.S. blockade on Iranian ports as 'dangerous and irresponsible.' He dared President Trump to directly challenge Chinese President Xi Jinping, warning that 'Xi will show Trump the flat-side of his hand' in a confrontation. Wilkerson also noted that Iran's next tier of attacks using Chinese satellite technology could put 'the globe in a recession by June, and in a depression by August' by targeting key resources and facilities across the Persian Gulf region.

Why it matters

The Strait of Hormuz is a critical global chokepoint for oil shipments, and control over this waterway has major geopolitical and economic implications. The apparent coordination between Iran and China in challenging U.S. influence in the region signals a growing alliance that could significantly disrupt global energy markets and American foreign policy objectives.

The details

China has condemned the U.S. blockade on Iranian ports, calling it 'dangerous and irresponsible.' Despite President Trump's threats regarding the Strait of Hormuz, traffic is continuing in many ways as Iran and China refuse to back down. Col. Wilkerson warned that Iran's next attacks using Chinese satellite technology could target key resources and facilities across the Persian Gulf region, potentially triggering a global recession and depression.

  • The U.S. has maintained a blockade on Iranian ports in recent months.

The players

Col. Larry Wilkerson

Former Chief of Staff to the U.S. Secretary of State who warned against a direct confrontation between President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping over control of the Strait of Hormuz.

President Donald Trump

The former U.S. president who has made threats regarding the Strait of Hormuz, which Col. Wilkerson advised against directly challenging.

President Xi Jinping

The current president of China, who Col. Wilkerson said would 'show Trump the flat-side of his hand' in a confrontation over the strategic waterway.

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What they’re saying

“I dare Trump to directly challenge Xi Jinping, because Xi will show Trump the flat-side of his hand.”

— Col. Larry Wilkerson, Former Chief of Staff to the U.S. Secretary of State

“The U.S. blockade on Iranian ports is dangerous and irresponsible.”

— China

The takeaway

The growing alliance between Iran and China, demonstrated by their coordination in challenging U.S. influence over the Strait of Hormuz, represents a significant geopolitical shift that could have major economic and foreign policy implications for the United States.