Trump-Xi accord on Iran elusive as US president’s China trip winds down

On 15 May 2026, as Trump's China trip wound down, no major breakthrough on Iran emerged from his talks with China's Xi. Trump said he and Xi agree Iran cannot have nuclear weapons and that Xi would also like to see the Strait of Hormuz open. He said he did not ask Xi to pressure Iran, and China said there was 'no point in continuing' the Iran war. Trump also said he spoke with Xi about lifting sanctions on Chinese companies that buy Iranian oil.

Trump said he was losing patience with Iran, that the 'decimation' of Iran's army was 'to be continued', and that he would accept Iran suspending nuclear enrichment for 20 years if there is a 'real' guarantee. Anadolu Agency reported that Israel was pushing for a return to the Iran war and weighing options with the US.