President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed Friday that Iran cannot obtain a nuclear weapon [1, 2].

The agreement signals a rare alignment between the U.S. and China on Middle East security, specifically regarding the prevention of nuclear proliferation, and the protection of global maritime trade routes.

Speaking to reporters in Beijing on May 15, 2026, Trump said the two leaders reached a consensus on the necessity of keeping Iran from acquiring nuclear arms [1, 2]. The president said that a nuclear-armed Iran would pose a significant threat to regional security and international commerce [3, 4].

"Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon," Trump said [1].

Beyond nuclear capabilities, the leaders discussed the status of the Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf. Trump said the two parties agreed that the strategic waterway must be reopened [1, 2]. This corridor is vital for the transit of global energy supplies, a point of critical concern for both superpowers.

"We have agreed that the Strait of Hormuz must be reopened," Trump said [1].

While the president said the need for a permanent barrier to nuclear weapons, he indicated a willingness to consider specific time-bound suspensions. Trump said he would accept Iran suspending its nuclear enrichment for a period of 20 years [5], provided that a real guarantee were offered in exchange.

Trump said that his patience with the Iranian government was running out [3, 4]. The discussion in Beijing suggests a strategy of coordinated pressure to ensure the Strait of Hormuz remains open and that Iran does not advance its nuclear program.

“"Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon," Trump said.”

The alignment between the US and China on Iran suggests a shared priority in maintaining the stability of the Strait of Hormuz, which is essential for the global oil trade. While the two nations often clash on trade and ideology, the prospect of a nuclear-armed Iran creates a mutual security risk that outweighs their bilateral frictions, potentially leading to more coordinated diplomatic or economic pressure on Tehran.