Trump Says Xi Offered China’s Help in Iran Peace Efforts

U.S. President Donald Trump said Chinese President Xi Jinping offered to help broker peace with Iran during talks at the Trump-Xi summit in Beijing, as tensions in the Middle East and concerns over the Strait of Hormuz dominated discussions.

Speaking after the meeting, Trump said Xi expressed support for reaching an agreement to end the conflict involving Iran and indicated that Beijing was willing to assist diplomatically.

“President Xi would like to see a deal made,” Trump said, adding that the Chinese leader told him, “If I can be of any help at all, I would like to be of help.”

Trump also said Xi emphasized the importance of keeping the Strait of Hormuz open, a critical global shipping route for energy supplies. According to Trump, Xi stated that he “would like to see the Hormuz Strait open” and repeated that China was prepared to help if possible.

The U.S. president noted that China’s extensive oil purchases from Iran give Beijing influence in the region and a strong interest in stability.

Addressing questions about China’s relationship with Tehran, Trump said Xi assured him that Beijing would not provide military equipment to Iran.

Separately, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said China could use its influence with Iran to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz. He argued that China has a greater economic stake in maintaining access to the waterway because of its heavy reliance on West Asian oil imports.

A White House official said Trump and Xi agreed during their discussions that the strait must remain open to ensure the free flow of global energy supplies.

The White House later shared an image from the summit on social media, claiming that China strongly opposes militarization in the Strait of Hormuz and agrees with the United States that Iran must not possess nuclear weapons. However, Beijing has not officially confirmed those specific claims.

In a written statement, China’s foreign ministry called for a lasting ceasefire in West Asia and urged the reopening of key shipping lanes as soon as possible.