US President Donald Trump said he would be “disappointed” if China supplied weapons to Iran, reaffirming that Chinese President Xi Jinping had personally assured him Beijing would not provide military support to Tehran.
Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump was responding to reports that Iran could receive up to 400 Chinese-made shoulder-fired air defence missile launchers within weeks.
“That would be surprising,” Trump said, adding that Xi had “very strongly” assured him China would not take part in such transfers.
“I think you know I trust them. I don’t think they’d want to have me disappointed,” he said, referring to both Xi and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Reports allege China-Iran missile deal
The remarks came after Reuters reported that Iran had signed a contract worth between US$60 million and US$70 million to acquire 300 to 400 Chinese-made man-portable air defence systems (MANPADS), including QW-12 and FN-16 missiles.
According to three sources familiar with the deal, the purchase is among Iran’s largest known efforts to strengthen its short-range air defences following months of conflict with the United States and Israel.
The report said the agreement was signed with Hong Kong-based Zhongqing Baoshang International Investment, which allegedly acted as an intermediary between the Iranian side and the Chinese supplier.
The sources said deliveries were initially planned to depart from Urumqi in western China before transiting through Pakistan to Iran, although implementation details, delivery schedules and quantities could still change.
China and Pakistan reject the claims
China’s Foreign Ministry dismissed the reports, saying they were “completely groundless” and reiterating that Beijing has consistently promoted peace and an end to the conflict.
Pakistan’s military also denied reports that its territory would be used to facilitate the shipment, calling the claims “absolutely concocted and false”. Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry did not immediately comment.
Reuters also reported that two Western intelligence sources and an Iranian official said Tehran had explored overland routes to move Chinese military supplies and dual-use components more discreetly to reduce the risk of disruption.
Trump cites assurances from Xi and Putin
Trump said he had previously warned both Beijing and Moscow against supplying weapons to Tehran but accepted assurances from Xi and Putin that neither country was currently providing military support.
Writing on his Truth Social platform, Trump said both countries were, in his view, not participating in arms transfers to Iran.
“If they did, it would be very bad for them. Certainly not in their best interests,” he wrote.
Trump also recalled his meeting with Xi in Beijing in May, saying the Chinese leader had explicitly pledged not to arm Iran.
The US president added that Putin had conveyed a similar commitment despite Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Washington continues to investigate whether Russian and Chinese intelligence networks may have provided targeting information to Tehran following a series of attacks on US military installations.
