Trump Claims China Agreed Not to Send Weapons to Iran Amid Rising Tensions

President Donald Trump has stated that Chinese President Xi Jinping assured him in a letter exchange that China is not supplying weapons to Iran. The claim comes amid heightened U.S.-China diplomatic engagement and ongoing concerns over Iran’s military capabilities.

According to Trump, he wrote to Xi warning against arms transfers to Iran, and Xi responded by denying such activity. Trump shared these details during a Fox Business interview, saying he had heard reports of Chinese weapons shipments to Iran and sought clarification directly from the Chinese leader.

“I wrote him a letter asking him not to do that, and he wrote me a letter saying that essentially he’s not doing that,” Trump said, referencing the correspondence ahead of a planned summit in Beijing.

The exchange follows Trump’s recent Truth Social post in which he claimed that China had agreed not to send weapons to Iran and praised his efforts to “permanently open the Strait of Hormuz,” a vital global oil chokepoint. Trump asserted that China benefits from the open waterway, noting that it relies on the strait for nearly half of its crude oil imports.

Despite Trump’s assertions, U.S. Intelligence assessments have indicated concerns that China may be preparing to supply shoulder-fired anti-air missile systems (MANPADS) to Iran to bolster its defenses against potential American military action. Chinese officials have criticized Trump’s characterization of the situation, calling his actions “dangerous, and irresponsible.”

The two leaders are scheduled to meet in Beijing on May 14–15, 2026, a summit that was previously delayed due to regional conflicts. Trump has framed the upcoming meeting as an opportunity for cooperation, predicting a warm reception from Xi and emphasizing that the U.S. And China are “working together smartly, and very well.”

While Trump highlighted the diplomatic progress, he also reiterated that the United States remains militarily superior, stating, “we are very good at fighting, if we have to – far better than anyone else.” This dual tone of partnership and deterrence reflects the complex nature of U.S.-China relations amid competing strategic interests in the Middle East.

As of now, there has been no independent verification from Chinese officials confirming the substance of the letter exchange or a formal agreement halting arms transfers to Iran. The claims remain part of Trump’s public narrative surrounding diplomacy, trade, and security policy.