Trump dismisses Chinese aid to Iran report, Gulf State meeting postponed

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has dismissed reports suggesting Chinese aid to Iran, while confirming the postponement of a planned Gulf State meeting in Oman. The meeting, intended to address issues surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic oil transit chokepoint, was anticipated as part of ongoing regional diplomatic efforts. This postponement indicates potential challenges in diplomatic coordination amid heightened tensions following recent U.S. and Israeli military actions against Iran. The timing of these developments may impact the likelihood of Mojtaba Khamenei attending a U.S.-Iran diplomatic meeting by the end of 2026. Key Takeaways The postponement of the Oman meeting suggests a lack of momentum in diplomatic efforts, which appears to affect market confidence regarding Khamenei’s attendance at U.S.-Iran talks. Trump’s dismissal of reports about Chinese aid to Iran may indicate limited external influence on the diplomatic process, contributing to uncertainty in market expectations. Market pricing currently reflects skepticism about a U.S.-Iran diplomatic meeting occurring by the end of 2026, with odds for Khamenei’s attendance at 11.5%. What to Watch Observers shou...