Daijiworld Media Network - Washington

Washington, Apr 12: Donald Trump on Saturday warned China of “big problems” if it supplies weapons to Iran, amid concerns that the fragile ceasefire between Washington and Iran may not hold.

Speaking to reporters before departing the White House for Miami, Trump said, “If China does that, China can have big problems,” without elaborating further.

The remarks come in the backdrop of US intelligence assessments suggesting that Iran could receive new air defence systems from China in the coming weeks. Reports indicate that Beijing may be routing shipments through third countries to conceal their origin.

The development follows a temporary ceasefire between the US and Iran, even as both sides continue to maintain a strong military presence in the region. American warships remain deployed near Iran, while Tehran is reportedly working to rebuild air defence capabilities damaged in recent strikes by the US and Israel.

China, however, strongly denied the allegations. The Chinese embassy in Washington said it had “never provided weapons to any party to the conflict” and urged the US to refrain from making “baseless allegations” and engaging in “sensationalism.”

Any potential military assistance from China to Iran would be seen by Washington as a major escalation and could impact Trump’s expected visit to China next month for talks with President Xi Jinping.

For Iran, which continues to face Western sanctions, China and Russia remain key strategic partners, offering diplomatic and economic support.

According to US officials, the suspected weapons package could include shoulder-fired anti-air missile systems, known as MANPADS, which could be used against low-flying US aircraft. Similar systems are believed to have been used in recent clashes involving American fighter jets and helicopters.

While Iran has not officially confirmed the details, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has claimed that a “new, advanced defence system” was responsible for recent successful strikes on US aircraft.

Trump also said that the United States is in “very deep negotiations” with Iran, while downplaying the importance of reaching a final agreement. “Maybe they make a deal, maybe they don’t — regardless of what happens, we win,” he said. He further noted that Iran may have deployed mines in regional waters, adding that US minesweepers are working to clear the Strait of Hormuz to ensure safe navigation.