'A Gift, Perhaps': Trump Says US Caught China-Linked Vessel Delivering Materials To Iran

Last Updated:April 22, 2026, 11:24 IST

Trump said the US intercepted a vessel allegedly carrying a Chinese “gift” for Iran, raising concerns about potential lethal aid that could cross Washington’s red line.

US President Donald Trump has indicated that American authorities intercepted a vessel allegedly linked to China that may have been carrying materials potentially intended for Iran, a development that could test Washington’s stated red line on foreign support to Tehran during the ongoing war.

The remarks were reported by Bloomberg, which cited Trump’s comments during a CNBC interview on Tuesday.

LIVE Updates On The US-Iran War

Trump spoke in cryptic terms about the interception while discussing US efforts to restock munitions, suggesting the seized cargo could represent lethal assistance for Iran.

“We caught a ship yesterday that had some things on it, which weren’t very nice, a gift from China, perhaps, I don’t know," Trump said.

“I thought I had an understanding with President Xi, but that’s alright. That’s the way the war goes, right?"

BEIJING REJECTS ALLEGATIONS

China denied any connection to the seized vessel.

Bloomberg reported that Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Guo Jiakun addressed questions about unverified reports linking China to chemical shipments for missile use.

“As far as I know, the vessel seized by the US is a foreign container ship. China rejects any false association and speculation," Guo said.

The Chinese embassy in Washington also stressed that Beijing regulates exports of military-related goods responsibly.

Bloomberg reported that the embassy emphasised China handles the “export of military products prudently and responsibly and strictly controls the export of dual-use articles."

The report noted that while US officials have indicated Russia has supported Iran during the war, China’s involvement has remained less clear.

Beijing generally avoids openly supplying weapons to overseas conflicts or violating US sanctions, given the potential economic consequences.

POTENTIAL ECONOMIC CONSEQUENCES

Bloomberg reported that Trump has warned of economic penalties for countries that provide weapons to Iran, including tariffs of up to 50 per cent.

He had stated that there would be “no exclusions or exemptions" for countries supplying such military support.

US intelligence assessments cited by CNN earlier this month indicated that China may be preparing to send Iran a new air defence system, including shoulder-fired anti-air missiles.

Bloomberg reported that Trump previously said Chinese President Xi Jinping assured him in a letter exchange that Beijing was not providing weapons to Tehran.

Chinese officials have repeatedly denied sending weapons to Iran.

Trump and Xi are expected to meet in Beijing in mid-May after an earlier meeting scheduled for April was postponed because of the Iran war, according to Bloomberg.

STRAIT OF HORMUZ STANDOFF CONTINUES

Bloomberg reported that the interception comes as the US intensifies efforts to monitor shipping activity in the Strait of Hormuz amid tensions with Iran.

The US has been intercepting vessels attempting to pass through the key waterway as part of pressure on Tehran ahead of negotiations scheduled this week.

Iran has threatened attacks on oil and gas tankers since the US and Israel launched the war on February 28.

On April 13, Trump said the US would blockade the strait, although some Iran-linked vessels or ships from friendly nations have continued limited movement.

According to US Central Command, cited by Bloomberg, the US has stopped one sanctioned oil tanker and one Iranian cargo ship so far and has turned back a total of 28 vessels attempting to transit the waterway.

Bloomberg also noted that China has previously been accused of indirectly assisting Russia during its war in Ukraine through commercial support, including satellite imagery and drone-related know-how, raising questions about the extent of Beijing’s involvement in the Middle East conflict.

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