US President Donald Trump revealed that Chinese President Xi Jinping has affirmed to him that Beijing is not providing weapons to Iran, after they exchanged letters directly. Trump stated in an interview with Fox Business Network that he urged Xi not to engage in such activities, and Xi responded indicating that they are not involved in supplying arms to Iran.
This statement by Trump comes during a time of escalating tensions concerning Iran and suspicions of potential foreign military assistance to Tehran. Trump mentioned that the communication took place subsequent to his caution to nations against arming Iran. Last week, he warned of implementing a 50% tariff immediately on any country caught supplying weapons to Tehran. Despite the warning, Trump implied that China reacted positively, although he did not specify the timing of the letter exchange.
The assertions made by Trump are in response to earlier intelligence reports that suggested China was preparing to dispatch weapons to Iran. According to CNN, citing US intelligence sources, Beijing was in the process of arranging to deliver air defense systems, including MANPADs, through potential third-party countries to conceal the origin of the weapons. These reports emerged during a current two-week ceasefire period between the US and Iran.
In response to these allegations, a spokesperson from the Chinese Embassy in Washington refuted the claims, stating that China has never supplied weapons to any party involved in the conflict, and labeled the information as false.
Trump connected China’s stance to his actions regarding the Strait of Hormuz in a subsequent post on Truth Social. He expressed optimism about his collaboration with President Xi and highlighted their joint efforts, emphasizing that they are working together effectively to prevent conflict.
Despite Trump’s assertions, the situation in the Strait of Hormuz remains uncertain and volatile. Following Iran’s declaration of closing the waterway, disrupting a significant portion of global oil and gas shipments, traffic in the strait remains limited despite a temporary ceasefire. Shipping activities continue well below pre-conflict levels, casting doubt on Trump’s claim of permanently opening the strait.
Trump also hinted at the possibility of resuming talks with Iran later this week after previous negotiations ended without a resolution. Simultaneously, the US has imposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports, leading to a halt in maritime trade to and from the nation. These developments have placed China’s purported assurance, conflicting intelligence reports, and tensions in the Strait of Hormuz at the core of an evolving geopolitical landscape.