Trump, Xi Focus Iran Crisis During High-Stakes Beijing Summit
US President Donald Trump announced that Iran will dominate discussions during his upcoming summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, as Washington and Tehran remain locked in a fragile ceasefire following weeks of conflict.
Speaking before departing from the White House, Trump revealed that he expects “long talks” with Xi regarding the Middle East crisis. Despite acknowledging China’s growing influence in the region, Trump insisted the United States does not require outside assistance to handle Iran.
The US president praised Xi’s recent conduct, pointing to the uninterrupted flow of oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz despite escalating regional instability. Trump noted that China heavily depends on energy imports from the Gulf and described Xi as cooperative during the crisis.
China currently purchases nearly 90 percent of Iran’s crude oil exports, making Beijing Tehran’s most significant economic lifeline. In recent weeks, Chinese authorities openly challenged American sanctions by instructing domestic companies to ignore restrictions imposed on several refineries accused of facilitating Iranian oil trade.
Trump maintained a confident tone when questioned about possible Chinese intervention, declaring that Washington would prevail “peacefully or otherwise” in dealing with Tehran.
Meanwhile, diplomatic activity intensified across Asia. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi urged Pakistan to continue mediation efforts aimed at stabilizing the region and protecting navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical energy corridors.
During a phone conversation with Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, both sides emphasized the importance of preserving a durable ceasefire between Washington and Tehran while ensuring uninterrupted maritime trade routes.
Pakistan has emerged as a central diplomatic player in the crisis after brokering a temporary two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran in April. Islamabad later hosted direct negotiations involving senior American and Iranian officials, though the talks failed to produce a permanent settlement.
Despite the lack of a breakthrough, diplomatic channels remain active as both Tehran and Washington continue exchanging proposals in search of common ground. The prolonged tensions have already disrupted global energy markets, intensified uncertainty in the Gulf region, and raised fears of further economic instability worldwide.
PRESS UPDATE