Donald Trump said Chinese leader Xi Jinping assured him that Beijing would not send weapons to Iran during the ongoing war. Trump added that Xi wants the Strait of Hormuz open and that he would take Xi’s promise at his word. Trump returned from a three-day visit to China where he highlighted trade agreements but did not achieve major progress on the US-Iran ceasefire. Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in China, reinforcing a strategic partnership that has included Moscow providing weapons to Iran. Trump also issued threats about striking Iran again if progress on a ceasefire is not made within days, while claiming he had placed a hold on a planned attack at the request of Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.
"President Xi has promised me that he's not sending any weapons to Iran. That's a beautiful promise. I take him at his word, Trump told reporters during an event at the White House ballroom construction site. He added that Xi wants the Strait of Hormuz open like me. Trump and his top officials had sent contradictory messages before the president's visit to China, suggesting that they hoped Beijing would use its influence over Iran to help reach a more lasting ceasefire while simultaneously playing down the idea that the war would be a major topic of discussion with Xi."
"Trump spoke shortly after he lodged a new threat against Iran, saying in a social media post that the Clock is Ticking to reach a more lasting ceasefire beyond the ongoing pause in fighting that has persisted since April 8. On Monday, Trump said he had put a hold on a planned attack. He said he made the decision at the request of Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, adding, Serious negotiations are now taking place. Iran's semiofficial Tasnim News Agency also reported on Monday that Iran has submitted a revised 14-point peace."
"It also came as Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived for his own visit to China, continuing a longstanding strategic partnership with Beijing that has long caused disquiet in Washington. Moscow has also, for years, provided weapons to Iran. President Xi has promised me that he's not sending any weapons to Iran. That's a beautiful promise. I take him at his word, Trump told reporters during an event at the White House ballroom construction site."
#us-iran-ceasefire #china-iran-relations #us-china-diplomacy #russia-china-partnership #middle-east-security
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