US President Donald Trump on Wednesday said he would be "disappointed" if China supplied weapons to Iran. He repeated that Chinese President Xi Jinping had assured him that Beijing would not provide arms to Tehran. Trump made the remarks after reports claimed China was preparing to send 400 shoulder-fired air-defence missile launchers to Iran under a new agreement. The reported move comes as Iran works to strengthen its air defence capabilities during the ongoing war with the United States.

Trump responded to questions from reporters in the Oval Office about reports that Iran could receive up to 400 Chinese-made shoulder-fired missiles in the coming weeks. He said the reports came as a surprise and hoped they were not true. Speaking on the matter, Trump said, “That was surprising. I mean, things like that happen, but that would be surprising.”

The US President also referred to his previous conversations with Xi Jinping. Trump said the Chinese leader had assured him that China would not take part in supplying weapons to Iran. He added that Xi knew how he would react if such reports turned out to be true. Trump said, “He told me very strongly he wouldn’t partake, but he knows I’d be quite disappointed. He’s coming here, I think, on September 24.” He made the remark while referring to Xi's expected visit to the United States for a meeting later this year.

Trump has raised similar concerns in the past. In April, he said Xi had written to him and assured him that China was not sending arms to Iran. Reports have noted that China does not directly export weapons to Tehran. However, according to Bloomberg News, China does supply dual-use technology that can have both civilian and military applications.

The US President has also warned countries against supporting Iran with weapons. He has said his administration could impose a 50% tariff on imports from countries that supply arms to Tehran. Trump has repeatedly linked economic measures with national security concerns and has maintained a strong position on countries that support Iran militarily.

The latest reports about the alleged deal between China and Iran were published by Reuters. Citing three sources familiar with the agreement, the news agency reported that Iran is expected to receive the first shipment of up to 400 Chinese-made shoulder-fired air-defence missile launchers within the next few weeks. The report said the weapons would help Iran strengthen its short-range air defence network.

China has strongly denied the Reuters report. Responding to the claims, China's foreign ministry rejected the allegations and dismissed them as false. In an official statement, the ministry said, "The relevant reports are completely groundless. China has consistently played a role in promoting peace and ending the conflict."

According to the Reuters report, the proposed agreement is estimated to be worth between $60 million and $70 million. If completed, it would become one of Iran's biggest known efforts to improve its short-range air defence system since the war with the United States and Israel began. The reported purchase aims to increase Iran's ability to defend against aerial threats.

The agreement reportedly includes the purchase of between 300 and 400 man-portable air defence systems, also known as MANPADS. The reported package includes the Chinese-made QW-12 and FN-16 missile systems. These shoulder-fired missile launchers are designed to target aircraft and other aerial threats at short range.

Reuters also reported that Zhongqing Baoshang International Investment, a Hong Kong-based company, signed the agreement as an intermediary between the Iranian side and the Chinese supplier. The company reportedly handled the transaction between both parties.

While Reuters has cited sources familiar with the deal, China has firmly denied plans to supply weapons. Trump has also expressed concern over the reports and said he would be disappointed if China failed to honour the assurance that Xi Jinping had previously given him.