Trump saysXi promised no arms for Iran

Washington, May 22 : US President Donald Trump said Chinese President Xi Jinping had assured him that Beijing was not supplying weapons to Iran, as he defended ongoing diplomatic efforts to prevent Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. Speaking to reporters during a visit to the White House ballroom construction site,
Trump said he had received direct assurances from Xi amid rising tensions in the Middle East.

“President Xi has promised me that he’s not sending any weapons to Iran,” Trump said. “That’s a beautiful promise. I take him at his word.” Trump said he and Xi had developed a strong personal relationship during recent engagements. “We had an amazing time in China,” he said. “President Xi and I had really an amazing time.” The President’s remarks came as he discussed Iran’s military capabilities and broader regional security concerns involving the Strait of Hormuz and Gulf nations. Trump argued that China also had a strong interest in preventing instability in the region because of its dependence on Middle Eastern energy supplies. “You know, if you think about it, he gets 40 per cent of his oil,” Trump said, referring to Xi. “He wants it open. Like me, I want it open.” Trump accused Iran of using strategic water ways as leverage for decades. “Iran has
used the straits as a military weapon for 47 years,” he said. “That’s not their strait, that’s international waterways.”The President said regional governments including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE, Bahrain and Kuwait were working with Washington in ongoing negotiations involving Iran.