POLITICS & POLICY MAKING

They Should Make a Deal’: Trump Claims US and China Aligned on Iran Crisis During Beijing Summit

US President Donald Trump has issued a stark ultimatum to Tehran following high-level discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, declaring that Iran must quickly negotiate an end to the conflict or face complete destruction.
2026-05-15
They Should Make a Deal’: Trump Claims US and China Aligned on Iran Crisis During Beijing Summit

The Breakdown

  • The Superpower Stance: Following a second day of intensive diplomatic talks with Xi Jinping covering trade, Taiwan, and regional security, Trump stated that Washington and Beijing are closely aligned on the Middle East crisis. While President Xi refrained from direct public comment, China’s foreign ministry issued a blunt statement reflecting growing frustration, declaring that the war "should never have happened" and has "no reason to continue."

  • The Strait of Hormuz Crisis: The strategic waterway has been effectively shut down by Iran to most maritime traffic since late February in retaliation for US and Israeli airstrikes. This blockade has severely disrupted global energy flows, sending oil prices climbing 3% to nearly $109 a barrel. The White House noted that Xi explicitly opposes any Iranian attempt to charge transit fees for the waterway, and Trump claimed the Chinese leader promised not to provide military hardware to Tehran.

  • The Diplomatic Gridlock: Peace negotiations mediated by Pakistan are currently stalled after both Washington and Tehran rejected each other's latest proposals. Trump, facing mounting domestic pressure ahead of the upcoming November midterm elections, issued a stark warning on Fox News, stating his patience is expiring and demanding Iran secure a deal. Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi confirmed receiving American messages regarding continued engagement but reiterated that Tehran fundamentally distrusts the US and remains fully prepared to resume active combat.

  • Wider Regional Conflict: While Iran demands an end to the US naval blockade, the lifting of sanctions, and war reparations, the conflict continues to take a massive toll. Tens of thousands of lives have been lost in the initial airstrikes, and secondary fighting persists in Lebanon between Israel and Hezbollah. Diplomatic teams are currently racing against the clock to extend a fragile Lebanese ceasefire before it expires on Sunday