With talks at an impasse, both sides are holding to positions their opponents call unacceptable, while the economic pain caused by the Strait of Hormuz blockade continues to grow.
China’s top diplomat also warned against the restarting of hostilities as he met with Iran’s foreign minister. The U.S. has urged China to pressure Iran to reopen the waterway.
The Pentagon’s rush to rearm its Mideast forces makes it less ready to confront potential adversaries like Russia and China, administration and congressional officials say.