Perdue says Trump warned Xi over Iran, then concedes there is no direct evidence
The US ambassador to China gave the only public account of what was said in the Oval Office on 24 September. His own framing of the intelligence is the most useful line in it.
Reuters reported from Washington on Friday that Trump made clear during White House talks with Xi Jinping that Chinese help for Iran is unacceptable, according to US Ambassador to China David Perdue, who told CNBC: “This is an ongoing drumbeat.” Asked about the basis for the charge, Perdue said: “There’s been indirect support we think, but there’s no direct evidence.” On Fox News he said the Chinese side “assured us yesterday they’re not doing that.” Beijing has denied US allegations that it assisted Iran’s leadership during the conflict. Xi’s three-day state visit ended on Friday with a National Archives stop; Trump said the two leaders did discuss Iran and that the summit produced great strides despite the absence of concrete results. China is the largest buyer of Iranian oil, providing Tehran a critical revenue stream despite US sanctions, and Washington has accused Chinese entities of supplying technology and other assistance.
Assessment: Everything known about this meeting comes from one participant’s ambassador, briefing two friendly outlets. That is not a reason to dismiss it, but it is a reason to mark it as advocacy rather than readout. Perdue’s admission — indirect support suspected, no direct evidence — is the rare instance of an official pricing his own claim accurately, and it suggests the pressure is aimed at Chinese refiners' risk calculus rather than at any specific transfer. Note the timing against the lead: Tehran is selling Washington a seven-day reopening while Washington works the buyer of last resort for Iranian crude. Both moves target the same variable, which is how much oil Iran can sell and at what discount.