U.S. President Donald Trump said he had asked Chinese President Xi Jinping not to provide weapons to Iran, adding that Xi responded by denying any such support.
Speaking in an interview with Fox Business Network, Trump said he had exchanged letters with the Chinese leader, though he did not specify when the correspondence took place.
“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.
The comments come as tensions remain high over the ongoing conflict involving Iran and growing concerns about potential foreign support for Tehran.
Pressure on countries supplying Iran
Trump last week warned that countries supplying weapons to Iran could face immediate 50% tariffs, underscoring Washington’s efforts to deter military assistance to the country.
His remarks suggest the issue has become a key point in U.S. relations with global powers, including China.
Oil and diplomacy in focus
Trump also said he did not expect developments in global oil markets, or changes involving Venezuela, to affect his planned meeting with Xi next month.
“He’s somebody that needs oil. We don’t,” Trump said, highlighting differences in energy dependence between the two countries.
The exchange between the two leaders reflects ongoing diplomatic maneuvering as the United States seeks to limit external support for Iran while managing broader geopolitical and economic tensions.
