US President Donald Trump on Tuesday made ambiguous statements about China's possible involvement in supporting Iran with military equipment, suggesting that US authorities had intercepted a ship carrying goods that would violate a US red line during the war, Bloomberg reports.
In an interview with CNBC, Trump said the U.S. recently seized a ship that allegedly carried a “gift” from China to Iran, without providing specific details about the nature of the shipment. “I caught a ship yesterday that had some things on board, which was not very pleasant – a gift from China, perhaps, I don't know”said the American president.
“I thought I had a deal with President Xi, but that's okay. That's how things go in war, isn't it?”
The White House has not yet provided an official response to requests for comment on this statement,
On the other hand, Chinese authorities have strongly denied any allegations of involvement in the supply of missile chemicals to Iran. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said that “as far as I know, the vessel seized by the US is a foreign merchant vessel” and pointed out that “China rejects any false association and speculation.” China's embassy in Washington reiterated that Beijing is managing “export military products in a prudent and responsible manner and strictly control the export of dual-use items.”
Although US officials have repeatedly suggested that Russia is providing support to Iran in the current conflict, China's role is not entirely clear. Beijing generally avoids supplying weapons in foreign conflicts or openly violating US sanctions. However, a possible arms delivery to Tehran could attract severe economic sanctions, with Trump threatening tariffs of up to 50% on any state that militarily supports Iran, insisting that “there will be no exceptions or waivers.”
According to US intelligence, China is preparing to deliver a new air defense system to Iran in the coming weeks, including portable surface-to-air missiles. On the other hand, Chinese officials have repeatedly denied these allegations. In fact, Trump previously said in an interview with Fox Business that President Xi Jinping had told him in a letter that Beijing was not supplying weapons to Iran.
The two leaders are expected to meet in Beijing in mid-May after a previously scheduled meeting was postponed due to the war on Iran.
Analysts believe that Washington's position is complicated by its involvement in the war with Iran. “The reality is that President Trump's position is weakened by involvement in a war with Iran. He cannot afford another costly trade conflict with China and probably does not want to compromise his upcoming visit to Beijing.” appreciates Jennifer Kavanagh, director of military analysis at Defense Priorities. She added that “as the US is unlikely to retaliate, the risks to China are low.”
At the same time, the US has stepped up maritime controls in the Strait of Hormuz, intercepting ships in an attempt to pressure Iran ahead of negotiations. So far, the U.S. military has stopped one sanctioned Iranian oil tanker and cargo ship and forced the return of 28 vessels, according to U.S. Central Command.
There has already been speculation about China's indirect support for Iran, particularly through purchases of Iranian oil, which helps prop up Tehran's economy. “This type of lower-level, but still significant, military assistance will continue,” said Michael Singh, a former US National Security Council official. “It's not something China tries very hard to hide.”
Amid these tensions, experts point out that both Washington and Beijing are trying to maintain a balance. “Beijing is more focused on maintaining fragile stability in relations with the US,” pointed out Ryan Hass, director of the China Center at the Brookings Institution. “At the same time, Trump wants to show that he has relations with China under control, especially when the situation with Iran seems out of control.”
