Archive · 26 Sep 2026
Trump Warns Xi Over Chinese Support for Iran, Receives Assurances
Donald Trump said he talked with Chinese President Xi Jinping about the war involving Iran.
Trump warned that Chinese help for Iran would not be acceptable.
The warning included possible intelligence, military equipment, and parts.
David Perdue, the US ambassador to China, said Beijing promised that it was not helping Iran.
He also said the United States had already seen some movement after that promise.
However, reports and US officials have raised concerns about possible Chinese assistance to Iran.
These concerns include satellite images, electronics, missile launchers, and help with oil sales.
An Iranian official said China would continue its economic, political, and military relationships with Iran.
The different statements leave questions about how much China will actually limit its support for Tehran.
Donald Trump said he discussed the Iran war with Xi Jinping during Xi’s three-day state visit to Washington.
US Ambassador David Perdue said Trump told Xi that any direct or indirect Chinese support for Iran was “totally unacceptable.”
Perdue said Beijing assured Washington that it was not assisting Iran and that movement had already been observed.
The assurances came amid reports of Chinese satellite intelligence, electronics, missile launchers, and help with Iranian oil sales.
A senior Iranian official said China would not restrict its economic, political, or military ties with Tehran despite US pressure.
- Who
- US President Donald Trump, Chinese President Xi Jinping, US Ambassador David Perdue, the United States, China, and Iran.
- What
- Trump warned Xi against direct or indirect Chinese support for Iran, while Perdue said Beijing had assured Washington that it was not providing such assistance.
- When
- The discussion took place during Xi’s three-day state visit to Washington and was reported on Friday, September 25.
- Where
- Trump and Xi met in Washington; the reported assistance and related conflict involve Iran, Jordan, and the Strait of Hormuz.
- Why
- Washington wanted Beijing to stop any assistance that could support Iran during the conflict or threaten US forces and shipping.
United States’ Concerns
China-Iran Position
Whether China is assisting Iran
United States’ Concerns
US officials and lawmakers remain concerned about alleged indirect Chinese support, including intelligence, electronics, missile launchers, and assistance connected to Iranian military operations.
China-Iran Position
Perdue said Beijing assured Washington that China was not providing such assistance, while an Iranian official said China would not restrict its ties with Tehran.
Extent of China’s commitment
United States’ Concerns
Washington says China committed to stopping assistance and that officials have already observed movement after the assurance.
China-Iran Position
The Iranian account says China will maintain its economic, political, and military relationships with Iran, creating uncertainty about what assistance Beijing may limit.
Response to the conflict
United States’ Concerns
The United States has pressed China to avoid support that could help Iran continue the conflict or threaten US forces and shipping.
China-Iran Position
Xinhua reported that Xi urged the United States and Iran to return to negotiations, while China has not publicly addressed the specific allegations.
- US warning
- Trump reportedly told Xi that direct or indirect Chinese assistance to Iran was “totally unacceptable.”
- Chinese assurance
- Perdue said Beijing assured Washington on Thursday that China was not assisting Iran and that movement had already been observed.
- Reported assistance
- Reports cited satellite imagery, intelligence, electronics, shoulder-fired air-defense missile launchers, and help with Iranian oil sales.
- Iranian position
- A senior Iranian official said China would not restrict its economic, political, or military ties with Tehran because of US pressure.
- Nuclear issue
- Perdue said Trump and Xi agreed that Iran should never have a nuclear weapon.
- Strait of Hormuz
- Perdue said the strait should remain open and that no tolls should be imposed.
- Related attack
- A July attack in Jordan reportedly killed three US troops after Iran allegedly obtained satellite imagery from Chinese entities.
Sources
Trump warns Xi over Chinese support for Iran, receives assurances, US envoy says
‘Totally unacceptable’: Trump warns Xi over China’s support for Iran
'Chinese Help To Iran Totally Unacceptable': Trump To Xi
Trump says he talked to Xi about the Iran war