Trump Weighs Iran Options After China Trip as China Distances Itself From Iran after Trump-Xi summit

WASHINGTON, May 16: US President Donald Trump is reportedly weighing possible next steps on Iran following his recent summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, amid continuing tensions over Iran’s nuclear programme and security in the Strait of Hormuz.

According to a report published by The New York Times, US and Israeli officials are evaluating both military and diplomatic options after recent negotiations failed to produce a breakthrough with Tehran. The report, citing Middle Eastern officials, said discussions are ongoing as Washington faces what analysts describe as an increasingly fragile regional stalemate.

The report said Trump returned from his three-day visit to China under growing pressure over whether to pursue renewed military action or continue diplomatic efforts aimed at reducing tensions.

During the Beijing meetings, Trump said Xi emphasized the importance of keeping the Strait of Hormuz open, underscoring concerns about global energy security and maritime stability in the Gulf.

Meanwhile, US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz said China appeared to have distanced itself from Iran following the Trump-Xi summit.

Speaking on Fox News, Waltz said one of the major outcomes of the talks was Beijing’s agreement on two principles: preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons and opposing militarization of the Strait of Hormuz.

Waltz described China’s evolving position as a significant diplomatic development, suggesting Beijing had “backed away” from Tehran on key regional security concerns following the summit discussions.