Trump says Xi assured him China would not send weapons to Iran

US president also says he could again strike Iran if progress on ceasefire is not made within ‘days’.United States President Donald Trump says Chinese leader Xi Jinping has assured him that Beijing would not send weapons to Iran during the ongoing war.The statement on Tuesday came after Trump returned from his three-day visit to China last week, after which the US president hailed several trade agreements but made no major breakthrough on the US-Israel Iran" class="entity-link entity-event" data-entity-id="121993" data-entity-type="event">war on Iran.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Trump departs China touting deals, but little clarity on Iran or Taiwanlist 2 of 3Iran warns of readiness for war and economic costs as US talks falterlist 3 of 3Iran plans to offer insurance for Hormuz transit: Will it work?end of listIt also came as Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived for his own visit to China, continuing a longstanding strategic partnership with Beijing that has long caused disquiet in Washington. Moscow has also, for years, provided weapons to Iran.“President Xi has promised me that he’s not sending any weapons to Iran. That’s a beautiful promise. I take him at his word,” Trump told reporters during an event at the White House ballroom construction site.He added that Xi wants the Strait of Hormuz open “like me”.Trump and his top officials had sent contradictory messages before the president’s visit to China, suggesting that they hoped Beijing would use its influence over Iran to help reach a more lasting ceasefire while simultaneously playing down the idea that the war would be a major topic of discussion with Xi.There has been little indication since the meeting that China, which has largely avoided more involvement, would take a more active role.Trump says US may strike Iran againTrump spoke shortly after he lodged a new threat against Iran, saying in a social media post that the “Clock is Ticking” to reach a more lasting ceasefire beyond the ongoing pause in fighting that has persisted since April 8.