Washington: US President Donald Trump on Wednesday claimed that China has agreed not to supply weapons to Iran, positioning the development as a key breakthrough amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East.

“China is very happy that I am permanently opening the Strait of Hormuz. I am doing it for them, also - And the World. This situation will never happen again. They have agreed not to send weapons to Iran. President Xi will give me a big, fat, hug when I get there in a few weeks. We are working together smartly, and very well! Doesn’t that beat fighting??? BUT REMEMBER, we are very good at fighting, if we have to - far better than anyone else!!!”

Trump’s remarks come at a time when the conflict appears to be inching toward a pause, with him saying in a separate interview that the war in Iran was “very close to over,” while the U.S. military maintained that its blockade on Iranian ports had been “fully implemented.”

Diplomatic efforts are also gathering pace, with Pakistan stepping in to facilitate talks between Washington and Tehran. Trump had earlier indicated that a second round of negotiations with Iran “could be happening over the next two days.”

Meanwhile, Iran's military warned on Wednesday it would block trade through the Red Sea, along with the Gulf and Sea of Oman, if the US naval blockade on Iranian ports continues.

In a statement carried by Iranian state television, the head of the military's central command centre said if the US continues with its blockade and "creates insecurity for Iran's commercial vessels and oil tankers", it will also constitute "a prelude" to violating the ceasefire.

"The powerful armed forces of the Islamic republic will not allow any exports or imports to continue in the Persian Gulf, the Sea of Oman, and the Red Sea," said Ali Abdollahi.

Regional officials said mediators are working to extend the current ceasefire between the United States and Iran, which is set to expire on April 22, by at least two weeks to allow more time for negotiations.

In parallel, diplomatic engagement has widened in the region, with talks between Lebanon and Israel in Washington described as “constructive” by Lebanese Ambassador Nada Hamadeh Moawad, while Israeli Ambassador Yechiel Leiter said, “we’re on the same side of the equation.”

However, the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah has rejected the talks, stating it would not abide by any agreements reached.

The broader conflict has taken a heavy toll, with at least 3,000 people reported killed in Iran, over 2,100 in Lebanon, 23 in Israel, and more than a dozen in Gulf Arab states. Thirteen U.S. service members have also been killed in the fighting.