China refutes Trump’s statement about not supplying arms to Iran

Abdullateef Fowewe

United States President Donald Trump has earlier claimed that China had agreed not to supply weapons to Iran after he “talked to them,” citing communications he said included letters with Chinese leader Xi Jinping amid rising tensions in the Strait of Hormuz.

“China agreed not to supply weapons to Iran. I talked to them,” Trump said, asserting direct contact and understandings with Beijing as regional tensions escalated.

China’s Foreign Ministry pushed back forcefully, saying the claim was false and that no such communication or agreement had taken place.

“We want to end rumours that China agreed with the U.S. not to supply weapons to Iran,” a ministry spokesperson said, adding, “To be clear: no such communication occurred. China has neither confirmed nor denied supplying weapons to Iran.”

Beijing also emphasised that its relations with Tehran are a matter of national sovereignty.

“Our security agreements and defense cooperation are sovereign matters for China alone. No foreign country may interfere in China’s internal affairs,” the Foreign Ministry statement said.

The conflicting claims come amid heightened international concern over shipping and security in the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic chokepoint for global oil shipments, and renewed scrutiny of arms flows to the Middle East.

U.S. and allied officials have repeatedly warned about the risks of increased weapons transfers to Iran and its regional partners; Beijing’s categorical denial underscores the diplomatic friction around those allegations.