China’s President Clearly Told Me Iran Cannot Obtain Nuclear Weapons: Trump

Washington: Donald Trump has said that Chinese President Xi Jinping clearly told him that Iran cannot be allowed to obtain nuclear weapons.

Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump said China has agreed to purchase 200 Boeing aircraft, with the possibility of the number rising to 750, and also plans to buy billions of dollars worth of soybeans, which he said would benefit American farmers.

He added that he had no objection to a 20-year suspension of Iran’s nuclear programme and said he would consider lifting sanctions on Chinese companies purchasing Iranian oil. Trump claimed there was complete alignment with the Chinese president on the Iran issue.

The former US president further stated that Xi Jinping wants the Strait of Hormuz to remain open, as nearly 40 percent of China’s trade passes through it. He reiterated that both leaders agreed Iran must not acquire nuclear weapons.

On Taiwan, Trump said China had not been given any assurances and that he does not expect any major conflict, adding that US policy on Taiwan remains unchanged.

He also dismissed a report by The New York Times regarding Iran’s military capabilities, calling it “serious treason,” and rejected claims that 80 percent of Iran’s missile systems remain intact.

Trump asserted that Iran can never obtain nuclear weapons and claimed the US had “fully won” the conflict, adding that Iran’s military, air force, and leadership had been “completely eliminated.”

On negotiations with Iran, he said he rejected their latest response because he did not like the opening sentence, adding that the US could destroy Iran’s power plants within two days and that Iran’s nuclear material could be transferred to China or the United States.

He further said that if he had not suspended the Obama-era nuclear deal, Iran would already have developed nuclear weapons.

Commenting on British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Trump said he is facing challenges due to energy and immigration policies, but described him as a “good man.”

He also praised Pakistan’s leadership, stating that both the Prime Minister and Field Marshal are “great personalities.”