April 16, 2026 | 10:43 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that China has agreed not to supply weapons to Iran, claiming he received direct assurances from Chinese President Xi Jinping amid rising tensions over Beijing’s role in the Middle East conflict.
“They have agreed not to send weapons to Iran,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, referring to a planned visit to Beijing in May. He added that Xi would “give me a warm hug” during the summit.
Trump also claimed that the United States had “permanently opened” the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil shipping route, despite reports that Washington had moved to restrict access to the waterway.
“China is very happy that I am permanently opening the Strait of Hormuz. I am doing it for them, also - and the world,” Trump wrote.
The claim was reiterated by White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt, who said Xi had assured Trump that China was not supplying weapons to Iran during the conflict.
“President Xi assured the president that they are not supplying Iran with weapons throughout this conflict, and that assurance was made to the president,” Leavitt said at a press briefing, as reported by Anadolu Agency.
China’s Oil Purchases from Iran
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent highlighted China’s economic ties with Iran, noting that Beijing remains the largest buyer of Iranian crude.
“China was purchasing more than 90% of their oil, which is about 8% of China's energy needs,” Bessent said.
He added that any disruption in the Strait of Hormuz could temporarily halt China’s imports of Iranian oil. Bessent also warned that Chinese financial institutions could face sanctions if they are found to be facilitating transactions involving Iranian funds.
“I will tell you that two Chinese banks received letters from the US Treasury. I'm not going to identify the banks, but we told them that if we can prove that there is Iranian money flowing through your accounts, then we are willing to put on secondary sanctions,” he said, without naming the institutions.
China Denies Military Support
A spokesperson for China’s Foreign Ministry rejected allegations that Beijing has supplied weapons to Iran, calling such claims “fabricated.”
“China always acts prudently and responsibly on the export of military products, and exercises strict control in accordance with China’s laws and regulations and due international obligations,” spokesperson Guo Jiakun said.
"Media reports accusing China of providing military support to Iran are purely fabricated. If the U.S. goes ahead with the tariff hikes on China on the basis of these accusations, China will respond with countermeasures."
He also criticized the U.S. blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, describing it as “dangerous and irresponsible,” particularly while a temporary ceasefire remains in place.
Unverified Reports of Arms Transfers
Recent reports by The New York Times and CNN cited unnamed U.S. officials alleging that China had supplied Iran with shoulder-fired anti-aircraft missiles. The claims remain unverified and have been strongly denied by Chinese authorities, who described them as “sensational” and “unfounded.”
According to SBS News, China is Iran’s largest trading partner, maintaining close strategic ties. The two countries signed a 25-year cooperation agreement in 2021 under China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
Data from shipping analytics firm Kpler shows China continues to purchase around 80 percent of Iran’s oil exports, equivalent to roughly 1.38 million barrels per day, despite Western sanctions.
While China’s foreign policy emphasizes the “five principles of peaceful coexistence,” limiting direct intervention, its role in the Middle East conflict remains under close scrutiny as tensions persist.
Read: Iran Claims Oil Tanker Passed Hormuz Despite US Blockade
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