Trump warns Iran after meeting Chinese president Xi

U.S. President Donald Trump warned his patience with Iran is running out after talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, White House sources said.

The leaders agreed on the need to keep the Strait of Hormuz open, stressing that the vital shipping lane must remain accessible for global trade. China, a major buyer of Iranian oil, expressed opposition to any militarisation of the strait and to attempts to charge tolls for passage.

Trump told Fox News he expects Iran to make a deal and indicated the United States will not wait indefinitely. He also said Xi pledged not to supply Iran with military equipment, a commitment the White House described as significant. Both leaders reportedly agreed that Iran should not acquire nuclear weapons, though Tehran has denied pursuing such arms.

Tensions in the region have already disrupted maritime traffic. An Indian cargo ship carrying livestock from Africa to the UAE sank off Oman after a suspected missile or drone strike; all 14 crew members were rescued. Separately, reports said unauthorised personnel boarded a vessel near Fujairah and steered it toward Iran, heightening fears over security in Gulf waters. Maritime firms and agencies blamed Iranian actors in some incidents, though details remain contested.

Meanwhile, the U.S. halted direct strikes last month but tightened a blockade on Iranian ports. Diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis have stalled, with Iran refusing to abandon its nuclear programme or its enriched uranium stockpile. Trump suggested the U.S. might secure that stockpile more for public relations than technical need, adding that possession would reassure observers.