According to Trump, his recent discussions with Xi produced a clear commitment from Beijing regarding military support for Iran.
“President Xi, at our recent meeting in Beijing, China, told me that he would not, under any circumstances, give or sell Weapons to the Islamic Republic of Iran — And that statement included Chinese Companies. Considering our relationship, I take him at his word and, besides, l am doing him very big favors,” Trump wrote in a Friday post on Truth Social.
The president presented the statement as evidence that diplomatic engagement with Beijing continues despite ongoing disagreements between the two global powers. By specifically mentioning Chinese companies, Trump suggested the commitment extended beyond government policy and included private entities that could otherwise become suppliers.
Trump also said Russian President Vladimir Putin delivered a similar assurance, even as Moscow remains heavily engaged in its war with Ukraine.
“Likewise, President Putin, despite the horrible War going on in Ukraine (The relationship remains, as it does with President Zelenskyy), told me that he would not sell Weapons to Iran. He understands that I do not sell Weapons to Ukraine, but to NATO Countries. They pay full price, and how those Weapons are distributed, I have no idea,” Trump’s message continued.
The remarks highlighted Trump’s longstanding argument that U.S. military assistance is provided to NATO allies rather than directly to Ukraine. At the same time, he portrayed his relationship with both Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as remaining intact despite the ongoing conflict in Eastern Europe.
Trump argued that if both China and Russia remain on the sidelines, Iran loses access to two of the most significant foreign powers capable of strengthening its military during the current confrontation.
“Therefore, two major Countries that people speak of often in terms of Iran are, in my opinion, not participating. If they did, it would be very bad for them — Certainly not in their best interests,” he concluded.
The president’s comments arrive roughly five months after his administration dramatically expanded military operations targeting Iran. Since then, U.S. forces have carried out strikes aimed at degrading Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, missile capabilities, naval assets, and regional proxy networks.
Administration officials have repeatedly described the campaign as an effort to impose significant costs on the Iranian regime while reducing its ability to threaten American interests and allies throughout the Middle East.
One of Washington’s most immediate priorities has been restoring safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping corridor that carries a substantial portion of the world’s energy supplies. Renewed fighting in the region disrupted commercial traffic and heightened concerns over global energy markets, prompting continued U.S. military involvement.
Despite ongoing diplomatic efforts, negotiations with Tehran have yet to produce a lasting agreement capable of ending the confrontation. The administration has continued to apply military and economic pressure while leaving open the possibility of further discussions should conditions change.
At the same time, officials have offered few details about what specific benchmarks Iran would need to meet before the United States considers scaling back its operations. The lack of a publicly defined endgame has fueled continued speculation about how long the campaign could continue.
Trump has also made clear that additional military action remains an option if Iran refuses to change course. He has warned that future operations could target more of the country’s strategic infrastructure, including nuclear facilities, bridges, electrical systems, and other assets considered vital to the regime.
Whether the commitments Trump described from Xi and Putin ultimately translate into long-term policy remains to be seen. However, if China and Russia refrain from supplying Iran with weapons during the current conflict, it would represent a significant geopolitical development and potentially limit Tehran’s options as it faces sustained pressure from the United States and its allies.
