US envoy to the United Nations Michael Waltz has claimed that China has started stepping back from its support for Iran following President Donald Trump’s recent visit to Beijing.
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Speaking at the United Nations, Waltz said China had agreed that Iran should not develop nuclear weapons and should refrain from imposing toll charges in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil transit route.
According to the US envoy, diplomatic discussions during Trump’s Beijing visit contributed to what he described as a shift in China’s approach toward Tehran. He suggested that Beijing is reassessing aspects of its relationship with Iran amid growing international pressure linked to regional instability and energy security concerns.
China ‘BACKING AWAY from Iran’ after Trump visit — ambassador Waltz pic.twitter.com/WKWIvsZkIG
— RT (@RT_com) May 15, 2026
Waltz also indicated that China had aligned with broader international concerns regarding the free movement of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, which has become a focal point of geopolitical tensions in recent months.
However, China signalled caution over the US approach at the United Nations. China’s ambassador to the UN criticised the timing and wording of a US-backed Security Council resolution concerning the Strait of Hormuz, saying the proposal was not appropriate under current circumstances.
The Chinese representative argued that the immediate priority should be encouraging serious and good-faith negotiations between relevant parties rather than advancing resolutions that may complicate diplomatic efforts.
China has traditionally maintained close economic ties with Iran, particularly in the energy sector, where it remains one of the largest buyers of Iranian oil. Any shift in Beijing’s position could carry broader implications for regional diplomacy, sanctions enforcement and global energy markets.
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Neither Beijing nor Tehran has officially commented on claims that China is distancing itself from Iran.
Trump’s recent trip to China focused heavily on trade, regional security and tensions involving Iran. The US president has repeatedly called for stricter measures against Tehran while also pushing for a negotiated resolution to the ongoing crisis.
Analysts say it remains unclear whether China’s position on Iran is undergoing a substantive strategic change or whether Beijing is simply seeking to balance its interests while avoiding deeper regional instability.