President Donald Trump said this week that Chinese President Xi Jinping directly responded to his request not to supply weapons to Iran, offering what the administration is framing as a key diplomatic signal amid ongoing tensions in the region.
Speaking in a televised interview, Trump described a recent exchange of letters between the two leaders after U.S. intelligence reports suggested China could be preparing to send military equipment to Tehran—moves that could have jeopardized a fragile ceasefire and broader peace efforts.
“He responded to a letter that I wrote because I had heard that China is giving weapons to — I mean, you’re seeing it all over the place — to Iran,” Trump said.
“And 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.”
The exchange follows a period of heightened pressure from the White House. Just days earlier, Trump warned Beijing it would face “big problems” if it moved forward with supplying weapons to Iran, citing intelligence assessments that suggested potential shipments of air defense systems.
In addition to the warning, Trump had threatened steep economic consequences, including a proposed 50% tariff on any country found to be arming Iran, underscoring the stakes of the confrontation.
In a post following the interview, Trump said the situation had since de-escalated and claimed Beijing had aligned with his request.
“China is very happy that I am permanently opening the Strait of Hormuz,” Trump wrote. “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,” he added.
The Strait of Hormuz remains a critical global chokepoint for oil shipments, and its stability has become central to both the conflict and ongoing diplomatic maneuvering. China, which relies heavily on energy flows through the region, has publicly supported de-escalation even as it has denied any involvement in arming Iran.
Looking ahead, Trump emphasized his relationship with Xi as a stabilizing factor and suggested cooperation between the two powers could continue.
“He’s somebody that needs oil. We don’t,” Trump said.
The two leaders are expected to meet in the coming weeks, with Trump signaling confidence in the tone of the talks.
“President Xi will give me a big, fat, hug when I get there in a few weeks,” Trump wrote. “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!!! President DJT”
The exchange highlights the administration’s dual-track approach—pairing direct warnings and economic threats with personal diplomacy—as it seeks to prevent further escalation in the Iran conflict while testing the limits of cooperation with global rivals.
