US President Donald Trump has said that Chinese President Xi Jinping told him Beijing is not supplying weapons to Iran, following a direct exchange of letters between the two leaders, according to remarks made in a Fox Business interview aired on Wednesday.
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Trump said he had written to Xi after receiving reports suggesting China might be providing arms to Tehran amid escalating tensions in the Middle East. He added that Xi responded by assuring him that China was not involved in any such weapons transfers.
China denied reports of arms supplies to Iran
The Chinese embassy said Beijing has “never supplied weapons” to any side in the conflict, commenting on a CNN report about possible air defense deliveries via third countries. https://t.co/EUKpQBzdHb pic.twitter.com/TtXOW5brnW
— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) April 12, 2026
“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 during the interview, which was taped earlier in the week.
The US president linked the exchange to broader diplomatic efforts between Washington and Beijing, noting that the issue was part of ongoing communication ahead of a planned meeting with Xi next month. He also downplayed the likelihood that tensions over Iran or global oil disruptions would affect the bilateral agenda.
In parallel statements posted on social media, Trump claimed that China was “very happy” with US actions aimed at keeping the Strait of Hormuz open, a vital global energy route that has faced disruption amid the Iran conflict. He also said he had taken steps to ensure continued maritime movement through the chokepoint, describing it as beneficial for China and the wider world.
Trump further suggested that cooperation with Beijing on this issue was improving and framed it as part of a broader effort to reduce global conflict. However, the White House did not immediately provide clarification on the details of the alleged correspondence between the two leaders.
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The comments come amid heightened geopolitical tensions involving Iran, energy security concerns, and ongoing diplomatic maneuvering between major global powers. China has not publicly confirmed any such exchange regarding weapons supplies to Iran.