• President Donald Trump said Chinese President Xi Jinping told him China will not supply weapons to Iran, describing his Beijing visit as 'amazing'.
  • The claim came during a high-profile summit focused on trade, energy, and regional security, but Chinese authorities have yet to publicly confirm the specific commitment.
  • Analysts caution that indirect or third-party transfers may continue despite bilateral assurances, and verification remains a key concern.

A Pledge on Iran Arms

President Donald Trump on Thursday said Chinese President Xi Jinping gave him a personal commitment that China would not send weapons to Iran, urging people to 'take Xi at his word.' Trump made the remarks during a press conference following what he called an 'amazing' summit in Beijing, where the two leaders discussed trade, oil purchases, and escalating tensions in the Middle East.

'I asked him directly, and he gave me his word. China will not be supplying weapons to Iran. I believe him, and everyone should take Xi at his word,' Trump said. The White House readout of the meeting noted 'constructive discussions' on regional security but did not specifically mention the arms pledge.

Chinese officials have offered only measured public responses, stopping short of confirming the specific agreement. Beijing has long maintained a formal policy of not supplying arms to Iran, but U.S. intelligence sources have raised concerns about possible covert transfers through third parties. 'A direct promise is one thing, but the real test will be whether weapons stop flowing through intermediaries,' a U.S. official familiar with the matter said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Trade and Energy Deals in Focus

The summit also aimed to stabilize economic ties, with Trump touting China's interest in purchasing more U.S. oil. 'They're going to buy a lot of our oil, which is great for our energy sector,' he said. The talks came after months of tariff tensions, and market participants are watching for shifts in Chinese demand that could affect global oil prices.

Chinese state media focused on trade benefits and bilateral stability, avoiding the arms issue. 'The summit was productive and will enhance mutual trust,' a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said in a routine briefing, without addressing Trump's specific claim.

Skepticism and Verification

Independent analysts and some U.S. lawmakers expressed skepticism. 'We've heard similar promises before, only to see continued flows through back channels,' said a regional security expert at a Washington think tank. 'Verification will be crucial.' Intelligence reports have flagged potential arms movements through countries like Iraq or Syria, complicating the bilateral pledge.

Without a deal, the administration has warned of secondary sanctions on entities facilitating arms transfers to Iran. Trump's statement may reduce a major source of U.S.-China friction, but it remains to be seen whether hard evidence will back up the diplomatic claim.

Correction: An earlier version of this article misstated the date of the summit. The meeting took place on Thursday, not Wednesday.