US President Donald Trump proclaimed that Iran is “finished” and must either negotiate an agreement to end the conflict or face destruction, he said during a Fox News interview at the close of his three-day trip to China.
“Deal or annihilation for Iran,” Trump told the network, stressing that the United States will not allow Iran to obtain a nuclear weapon. He repeated that Iran can “make a deal, or they will be annihilated,” comments he made after extended talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping on a range of issues, including Iran.
Trump said he had one more meeting and a lunch planned with Xi before returning home to conclude the visit. He added that President Xi would like to see a deal between the United States and Iran and offered to help, saying, “If I could be of any help whatsoever, I would like to help.” Trump said he believes China also does not want Iran to have nuclear arms.
Speaking about military options, Trump cited remarks from General Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who reportedly told him US forces could neutralize Kharg Island in Iran within “four or five minutes.” When asked about China supplying Iran, Trump said he discussed the matter with Xi, who assured him China “is not going to give military equipment” to Iran. The president noted that China currently purchases the bulk of Iranian oil and maintains a strategic partnership and close military ties with Tehran.
Trump described Xi as “a warm person” who is “all business,” adding that he likes the lack of games in their relationship. He defended his praise for Xi, saying he respects Xi as the leader of a country of nearly 1.5 billion people.
The president also highlighted the ceremonial welcome he received in China, calling the military honor guard “incredible” and saying even Hollywood could not match it. He reiterated that his approach to China has produced strong results: “We do great with China,” he said, praising Xi as a powerful and long-serving leader and noting their good relationship.
Defending US military actions against Iran, Trump said these operations are much shorter than past conflicts such as Vietnam and Iraq. He claimed Iran’s navy has been neutralized and that its air and anti-air capabilities are currently limited, saying, “They built it up a little bit. We’ll take it out in one day.”
Trump traveled with several top US CEOs, including Tesla CEO Elon Musk and Apple CEO Tim Cook, and said the business leaders “did fantastically well.” He described the meeting with American executives as a good idea, though different from the original plan.
On trade, Trump said he encouraged Xi to buy American oil, and that Xi “likes the idea.” He said Chinese ships would begin going to Texas, Louisiana and Alaska to pick up US energy shipments, a development Trump called “a big thing.” He urged China to open its markets, saying that would be “unbelievable” for US companies and beneficial for China as well.
Trump added that Xi agreed to order 200 Boeing jets during what he described as a “very good meeting,” and said China would use Visa for trade and purchase a substantial amount of American agricultural goods, which he called “great.”
