Michelle Martin

In recent days, President Trump has suggested that he was for it, but then said he is against it.

Hundreds of oil tankers are stuck on both sides of this critical Mideast waterway out of fear of attack by Iran.

There are now escalating concerns of a global energy crisis, but it's not just oil tankers.

Cargo ships are also stranded, creating a shortage of essential goods getting to the Persian Gulf region.

And I'm Michelle Martin.

Today's episode of Up First was edited by Hannah Block, Tina Kraya, James Heider, Mohamed El-Bardisi, and H.J.

Mai.

It was produced by Ziad Butch and Ben Abrams.

Our director is Christopher Thomas.

We get engineering support from Nisha Hynes.

And our technical director is Carly Strange.

We hope you'll join us again tomorrow.

Good morning.

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And thank you.

And China says it's sending a special envoy to the Middle East as Beijing opens its two sessions meeting where leaders set priorities for the year.

Is China trying to position itself as a mediator or protecting its oil interests?