Kuwait said Iran launched a failed attack earlier this month on an island where China is helping build a port for the Arab country. The accusation came just hours before US President Donald Trump was due to visit Beijing for a high-level visit to discuss the war with Iran and other issues.
Iranian state media, citing the country’s Foreign Ministry, called Kuwait’s accusation “baseless.” Iran has targeted Kuwait during the war, and a shaky ceasefire still holds. But the accusation and the ongoing attacks in the region threaten to lead to another full-scale war.
The narrow Strait of Hormuz remains in Iran’s grip, the US maintains a blockade on Iran, and talks between the two countries appear to be at an impasse.
Trump has said he will have a “long conversation” with Chinese President Xi Jinping about Iran, but has said trade will be a bigger focus. As he left for the summit, Trump again threatened Iran if its leaders do not agree on their nuclear program.
“We have Iran completely under control,” Trump said. “We either make a deal, or they are destroyed. Either way, we will win.”
