U.S. President Donald Trump said Friday that he and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed Iran must never be allowed to obtain nuclear weapons, marking one of the strongest public signs of alignment between Washington and Beijing on the escalating Middle East crisis.

Speaking after high-level talks in Beijing, Trump said the two leaders also agreed that the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz must remain open to international shipping as tensions surrounding Iran continue to disrupt global energy markets.

“We’ve settled a lot of different problems that other people wouldn’t have been able to solve,” Trump told reporters following meetings with Xi at the tightly guarded Zhongnanhai leadership compound in central Beijing.

Iran Crisis Dominates Trump-Xi Summit

The Iran conflict emerged as one of the central issues during Trump’s state visit to China, alongside discussions on trade, Taiwan, artificial intelligence and global security.

The crisis has intensified since U.S.-Israeli military strikes on Iran earlier this year triggered retaliatory actions by Tehran, including major disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz one of the world’s most important oil transit routes.

Trump said both Washington and Beijing support efforts to keep the waterway open and prevent further destabilization in the region.

Oil prices rose after Trump’s comments, reflecting market concerns over ongoing risks to global energy supplies and shipping routes.

China Walks Diplomatic Tightrope

Despite Trump’s remarks, significant differences remain between the United States and China over how to handle Iran.

China has repeatedly called for a ceasefire and diplomatic negotiations while criticizing the broader conflict and warning against further escalation. Beijing also remains one of Iran’s largest oil customers and has resisted pressure from Washington to fully isolate Tehran economically.

Trump claimed Xi assured him that China would not provide military equipment to Iran, describing the pledge as “a big statement” during an interview with Fox News.

However, reports citing U.S. intelligence assessments have suggested concerns remain in Washington over possible Chinese-linked military support networks connected to Iran. Chinese officials have denied supplying weapons to Tehran.

Trump Signals Frustration With Tehran

Trump indicated that his patience with Iran was “running out” as diplomatic efforts to end the conflict remain stalled.

The U.S. president said his administration’s objectives include dismantling Iran’s nuclear capabilities, reducing its military threat to neighboring countries and weakening Tehran’s regional influence.

Iran, meanwhile, has vowed to continue resisting military pressure and insists its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.

Military officials in Washington say Iranian offensive capabilities have been significantly weakened by recent strikes, though analysts caution Tehran still retains substantial missile and drone capacity.

Taiwan and Trade Differences Persist

Although Trump and Xi publicly emphasized cooperation on Iran, the broader summit also exposed ongoing tensions between the two global powers.

Chinese officials reportedly warned Washington against increasing support for Taiwan, which Beijing claims as its territory. The United States reiterated opposition to any attempt to alter the status quo in the Taiwan Strait through force.

Trade disputes and technology restrictions also remain unresolved despite announcements of prospective Chinese purchases of American goods, including Boeing aircraft, oil and agricultural products.

Analysts said the summit appeared aimed more at stabilizing relations and preventing further deterioration than achieving major breakthroughs.

Global Markets Watching Closely

The Trump-Xi discussions are being closely monitored by financial markets, energy traders and international governments amid fears that a prolonged Iran conflict could destabilize oil supplies, worsen inflation, and increase geopolitical tensions across the Middle East.

China’s involvement is viewed as particularly important because of its economic ties with Iran and its growing diplomatic influence globally.

While no formal agreement on Iran was announced, the public alignment by Trump and Xi against an Iranian nuclear weapon signaled that both countries recognize the potentially catastrophic global consequences of further escalation in the region.

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