Trump warns Xi against backing Iran – China gives conflicting assurances | Today’s news
US President Donald Trump warned Chinese President Xi Jinping against providing direct or indirect support to Iran during their talks in Washington this week, US Ambassador to China David Perdue said. Washington subsequently received assurances from Beijing that it would not provide such assistance, Perdue said on Friday (Sept. 25).
In an interview with CNBC, Perdue said Trump had made his position clear to Xi, stressing that any Chinese aid to Iran was “totally unacceptable.”
Trump’s warning reportedly came amid reports that China has supplied Iran with shoulder-fired air defense launchers and helped Tehran find ways to avoid US sanctions on oil exports.
China provides reassurance, says Perdue
Asked by Fox News whether China would end aid to Iran, Perdue said Washington had received assurances from Beijing on Thursday.
“We’ve already seen movement … in that. That’s a commitment. They assured us yesterday that they’re not doing that,” Perdue said.
US lawmaker raises concerns
A US lawmaker called on Trump to confront Xi over reports of Chinese aid to Iran, particularly over concerns that Chinese entities may have provided intelligence or targeted aid that contributed to US casualties.
Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen said Wednesday that Trump should raise the issue with Xi during the summit, arguing that Chinese firms are helping Iran economically and militarily.
In a Senate speech, Shaheen cited reports that Iran obtained high-resolution satellite images of a military base in Jordan from Chinese entities before launching a missile attack that killed three American soldiers and wounded four others.
Tehran says Beijing will not cut ties with Iran
Despite the assurances described by Perdue, a senior Iranian official told Reuters on Friday that Chinese officials had assured Tehran that China would not curtail its economic, political or military ties with Iran under pressure from Trump.
The contrasting accounts raise questions about the extent of any Chinese commitment to curbing its relationship with Tehran.
China has not publicly commented on the specific allegations regarding military aid to Iran.
Xi calls for action
China’s state news agency Xinhua reported on Thursday that Xi had called on the United States and Iran to return to talks to end the war.
However, Xi Jinping has not publicly addressed allegations of Chinese support for Iran.
Trump and Xi also did not take formal questions from reporters during their three-day state visit to Washington, leaving officials from both sides to provide reports of the discussions.
