Trump Claims Seized Pacific Ship Carried ‘Gift from China’, Raises Geopolitical Questions

Islamabad: US President Donald Trump has made a striking claim regarding a vessel seized in the Pacific Ocean, suggesting it may have contained materials sent as a “gift from China,” amid growing tensions involving Iran.
In remarks given to the White House and later in an interview with US media, Trump said American forces intercepted a ship carrying “unusual and concerning items.”
“We caught a ship yesterday with things that were not good. Maybe it was a gift from China—I don’t know,” he said, without providing further details about the cargo or evidence supporting the claim.
The president expressed surprise over any possible Chinese link, noting his previously positive relationship with Chinese President Xi Jinping. “I thought we agreed on many things,” he added.
Earlier reports from US intelligence sources suggested that China may be preparing to supply Iran with advanced air defense systems in the coming weeks. Trump had previously warned that Beijing would face serious consequences if it supplied weapons to Iran.
However, his tone appeared more restrained on Tuesday, when he said that “things like this happen in war.”
Diplomatic sources also indicated that Trump is expected to visit China next month, where the issue could be discussed further at the highest level.
Meanwhile, the US military has claimed it seized an oil tanker in the Asia-Pacific region allegedly linked to Iran and under sanctions. Neither China nor Iran has officially confirmed or denied the latest allegations.