• Source:JND

US President Donald Trump has warned China of "big problem" following the reports that Beijing may be preparing to supply Iran with advanced weaponry. The warning comes at a critical stage as a tenuous two-week ceasefire between Iran and the US faces the risk of collapse.

US President Donald Trump, speaking to a group of reporters on Saturday afternoon as he departed the White House to fly to Miami, said that "If China does that, China is going to have big problems, okay?" though he stopped short of detailing specific retaliatory measures. 
The US State Department, the Chinese embassy in Washington and China's foreign ministry did not respond to Reuters requests for comment earlier on Saturday.

Intelligence Reports Point To Secret Shipments

Recent US intelligence suggests that Beijing is preparing to transfer shoulder-fired anti-air missile systems known as MANPADs, CNN said, citing sources it did not name. According to reports, Beijing may be attempting to disguise the origin of these weapons by routing them through third-party nations.

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These developments coincide with high-level diplomatic talks in Islamabad, Pakistan, where US and Iranian officials are attempting to resolve a six-week-old war.

Strained US-China Relations

The potential arms transfer threatens to destabilise an already complex relationship between Washington and Beijing. US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer recently noted that while the US seeks economic stability with China, Beijing's support for Iran could severely complicate ties.

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"If China is going to be involved in Iran in a way that’s harmful to US interests, then that obviously complicates it," Greer told CNBC, adding that it is Beijing's responsibility to avoid such friction ahead of a planned meeting between President Trump and Xi Jinping next month.

Fragile Peace Amid Decades Of Hostility

The current conflict is the latest chapter in a long history of enmity dating back to the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Tensions spiked dramatically in early 2026 following US and Israeli strikes that killed Iran's supreme leader, leading to direct military engagement and threats to global oil supplies in the Strait of Hormuz.

Current Status of the Ceasefire:

Deadline: The current truce is set to expire on April 22.

Negotiations: Both nations remain deeply skeptical of one another despite the ongoing Islamabad talks.

Trump's Stance: The President downplayed the necessity of a formal deal, stating, "Regardless of what happens, we win."

As diplomatic efforts continue, the US military remains active in the region. President Trump confirmed that minesweepers are currently working to clear the Strait of Hormuz after suggesting Iran may have deployed mines to disrupt maritime traffic.


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