Updated on: May 13, 2026 8:19:12 AM IST
US President Donald Trump meets traditional opera performers as he arrives with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
US-Iran war LIVE: US President Donald Trump arrived in China on Wednesday, a visit that comes after nearly nine years. He is expected to pressure his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, on the Iran war, and the Strait of Hormuz, that remains closed since the war began on February 8. Ahead of their meeting, an advisor to Iran’s supreme leader on Tuesday warned that Trump should not mistake the current lack of fighting between the US and Iran as a victory.
The US president, however, said that he does not think he needs Xi’s help. “I don’t think we need any help with Iran. We’ll win it one way or the other, peacefully or otherwise,” Trump told reporters as he left for his visit.
Key developments
Beijing a possible mediator? Iranian Ambassador to China Rahmani Fazli said that Beijing is viewed as a potential mediator between Washington and Tehran, CNN reported citing state media.
Price of war: US has spent at least $29 billion in the 74 days of its war with Iran, said Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. During his congressional hearing on Tuesday, Hegseth appealed to Congress for more money, at least around $1.5 trillion, so that the US can “maintain its posture as the most effective military in the world.”
‘Blockade 100% effective’, says Trump: Trump also said that the American blockade of Iranian ports on the Strait of Hormuz was “100% effective”. “The blockade is very effective; it’s been 100% effective. And one way or the other, it’s going to work out very well. I think you’re going to have so much oil, you’re going to have a gusher of oil like you’ve never had before”, he told reporters ahead of his visit to China.
Trump criticises American media: He further accused American media over their coverage of the war, saying the media is “giving Iran false hope”, especially with regard to Iran’s military powers.
Trump rejects Iran’s response to US proposal: Talks between the two nations remain halted after Trump called Iran’s response to its proposal “completely unacceptable”. He further labelled it as a “piece of garbage”, “weak,” adding that he didn’t even get to the end of it. Meanwhile, Iran says the United States must abandon its “one-sided approach” and accept Tehran’s “legitimate demands,” including ending the war, lifting blockades, halting maritime piracy, and releasing frozen Iranian assets.
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The US president, however, said that he does not think he needs Xi’s help. “I don’t think we need any help with Iran. We’ll win it one way or the other, peacefully or otherwise,” Trump told reporters as he left for his visit.
Key developments
Beijing a possible mediator? Iranian Ambassador to China Rahmani Fazli said that Beijing is viewed as a potential mediator between Washington and Tehran, CNN reported citing state media.
Price of war: US has spent at least $29 billion in the 74 days of its war with Iran, said Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. During his congressional hearing on Tuesday, Hegseth appealed to Congress for more money, at least around $1.5 trillion, so that the US can “maintain its posture as the most effective military in the world.”
‘Blockade 100% effective’, says Trump: Trump also said that the American blockade of Iranian ports on the Strait of Hormuz was “100% effective”. “The blockade is very effective; it’s been 100% effective. And one way or the other, it’s going to work out very well. I think you’re going to have so much oil, you’re going to have a gusher of oil like you’ve never had before”, he told reporters ahead of his visit to China.
Trump criticises American media: He further accused American media over their coverage of the war, saying the media is “giving Iran false hope”, especially with regard to Iran’s military powers.
Trump rejects Iran’s response to US proposal: Talks between the two nations remain halted after Trump called Iran’s response to its proposal “completely unacceptable”. He further labelled it as a “piece of garbage”, “weak,” adding that he didn’t even get to the end of it. Meanwhile, Iran says the United States must abandon its “one-sided approach” and accept Tehran’s “legitimate demands,” including ending the war, lifting blockades, halting maritime piracy, and releasing frozen Iranian assets.
Follow all the updates here:
May 13, 2026 8:19:12 AM IST
US-Iran war LIVE: Trump backs Pakistan’s role as mediator with Iran after Lindsey Graham’s ‘don’t trust’ remark
US-Iran war LIVE: Ahead of his visit to China, US President Donald Trump backed Pakistan and its role as a mediator with Iran. Speaking to reporters, the Republican leader added that Washington is not reconsidering finding another mediator.
“They’re great. I think the Pakistanis have been great. The field marshal and the prime minister of Pakistan have been absolutely great,” Trump told reporters as he left the White House.
May 13, 2026 7:26:23 AM IST
US-Iran war LIVE: ‘Anybody that wants them to have a nuclear weapon is a stupid person’, says Trump
US-Iran war LIVE: US President Donald Trump called a reporter “stupid” for suggesting that Iran should be allowed to have a nuclear weapon.
“We had a choice. Let these lunatics have a nuclear weapon. If you want to do that, then you’re a stupid person. And you happen to be! I mean, I know you very well.”
“Anybody that wants them to have a nuclear weapon is a stupid person.”
May 13, 2026 7:23:03 AM IST
US-Iran war LIVE: ‘Not even a little bit’: Trump says he doesn’t consider America’s financial situation in Iran negotiations
US-Iran war LIVE: Speaking to reporters before leaving for China, US President Donald Trump said he doesn’t think about Americans’ financial situations as he negotiates with Iran, “not even a little bit.”
“The only thing that matters when I’m talking about Iran, they can’t have a nuclear weapon. I don’t think about Americans’ financial situation, I don’t think about anybody,” Trump said.
May 13, 2026 7:05:20 AM IST
US-Iran war LIVE: ‘American blockade on Hormuz 100% effective’, says Trump
US-Iran war LIVE: US President Donald Trump said that the American blockade of Iranian ports on the Strait of Hormuz was “100% effective”.
“The blockade is very effective; it’s been 100% effective. And one way or the other, it’s going to work out very well. I think you’re going to have so much oil, you’re going to have a gusher of oil like you’ve never had before”, he told reporters ahead of his visit to China.
May 13, 2026 7:04:27 AM IST
US-Iran war LIVE: Beijing reviewed as potential mediator
US-Iran war LIVE: Iranian Ambassador to China Rahmani Fazli said that Beijing is viewed as a potential mediator between Washington and Tehran, CNN reported citing state media.
May 13, 2026 7:02:49 AM IST
US-Iran war LIVE: ‘We are going to do whatever necessary’, says Trump on extending Russian oil waiver to ease oil prices
US-Iran war LIVE: Responding to ANI’s question regarding whether he would extend the waiver on sanctioned Russian oil to help ease crude prices, US President Donald Trump said, “…We are going to whatever is necessary, including this war over will not be long. You’re going to see oil prices drop, and you’re going to see a stock market, which is already at the highest point in history… You’re going to see the golden age of America, frankly, and you’re seeing it now… Hundreds of ships that are loaded up with oil want to come out.”
“As soon as they come out, we’re to have a gush of oil, and you’re to have inflation that goes way down. Now, with all of this, inflation is much lower than it was under Biden. Biden had the highest inflation in the history of our country. Inflation is nothing by comparison, but our inflation is short-term. Because if you go from before, just before the war, we were, for the last three months, 1.7%. And now, what you have is, as soon as this war is over, given the inflation, will go down to probably 1.5%.”
May 13, 2026 6:36:44 AM IST
US-Iran war LIVE: US has spent $29 billion on Iran war so far, says Pentagon
US-Iran war LIVE: US has spent at least $29 billion in the 74 days of its war with Iran, said Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. During his congressional hearing on Tuesday, Hegseth appealed to Congress for more money, at least around $1.5 trillion, so that the US can “maintain its posture as the most effective military in the world.”
