Taiwan has expressed optimism about continued support from the United States, stating that Washington has repeatedly reaffirmed its 'clear and firm' backing. The statement was made by Taiwanese cabinet spokesperson Michelle Li during a press briefing, coinciding with the Trump-Xi summit taking place in Beijing.

The position of Taiwan has emerged as one of the most sensitive topics in the discussions between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Beijing continues to claim the self-governed island of 23 million people as an inseparable part of its territory, while Taiwan’s current government considers itself an independent and sovereign state.

Analysts cited in the report note that any comment or policy shift by Trump regarding Taiwan could significantly affect regional stability. In this context, Taiwan’s assertion of US support carries notable international significance, especially as geopolitical tensions remain heightened during the summit.

U.S. President Donald Trump arrived in Beijing on Wednesday for a two-day state visit to China, receiving a grand welcome led by Vice President Han Zheng. During the trip, Trump is scheduled to hold several key meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping, focusing on the Iran war, Taiwan, trade, and technology. The visit marks Trump’s return to China nearly a decade after his first trip in 2017, when he was lavishly received.

The geopolitical landscape has shifted significantly since then. Xi Jinping, now in his third term, is advancing plans to build “new productive forces” through major investments in renewable energy, robotics, and artificial intelligence. Meanwhile, Trump faces declining popularity due to the Iran war and rising global prices, raising concerns about his party’s prospects in upcoming midterm elections. Analysts note that China now appears more confident and less eager to prove parity with the U.S.

Trump is accompanied by top executives from major American technology firms, including Apple, Tesla, and BlackRock, underscoring the visit’s economic and technological importance. He is also expected to seek China’s help in partially ending the Iran war through a potential agreement with Tehran.

Iran’s military spokesman Brigadier General Mohammad Akraminia stated on Wednesday in Mashhad that Iran will not allow any country to transport U.S. weapons through the Strait of Hormuz. He emphasized the strategic importance of the waterway, noting that it is currently under the control of Iran’s armed forces.

According to Akraminia, the western part of the strait is controlled by the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy, while the eastern part is under the Iranian Navy. He described this coordinated control as a key factor in strengthening Iran’s surveillance and dominance over the region. The spokesman also claimed that such control could generate revenue nearly double Iran’s oil income.

Akraminia warned foreign powers that Iran would prevent any attempt to move American weapons through the strait and added that most of the weapons previously stored in regional bases had already been destroyed.

Iran has issued a strong warning to the United Arab Emirates after reports claimed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the country during the ongoing war between Iran and Israel. Tel Aviv asserted that Netanyahu met UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, though Abu Dhabi denied the visit took place. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned the alleged meeting, calling cooperation with Israel an unforgivable act.

In a post on social media platform X, Araghchi said hostility toward the Iranian people was a foolish gamble and warned that those conspiring with Israel to create division would be held accountable. Netanyahu’s office stated that the meeting occurred in Al Ain near the Omani border on March 26, lasting several hours, according to a source cited by Reuters.

The reports surfaced amid claims by The Wall Street Journal that the UAE secretly carried out multiple attacks against Iran during U.S. and Israeli offensives, further heightening regional tensions.

In Beijing, Chinese authorities extended a lavish red-carpet welcome to U.S. President Donald Trump, drawing global attention for its grandeur and symbolism. The reception included a military parade and children waving flags, underscoring the importance China placed on the visit. Vice President Han Zheng, who holds a largely ceremonial role, greeted Trump at the airport, reflecting the high-profile nature of the occasion. The meeting between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping brought together two contrasting leadership styles—Trump’s outspoken approach and Xi’s measured demeanor.

Analysts cited in the report said China’s elaborate hospitality was a calculated diplomatic gesture aimed at pleasing Trump and signaling goodwill amid ongoing trade and geopolitical tensions. The event took place at the Great Hall of the People, China’s political center, where state visits are used to project the depth of bilateral relations.

Beijing’s objective, according to the report, was to demonstrate to the world that relations with Trump are thawing and that both sides are moving toward a more stable future.

During a meeting in Beijing with Chinese President Xi Jinping, US President Donald Trump expressed strong optimism about the future of relations between the United States and China. At the start of the meeting, Trump stated with confidence that ties between the two countries would become better than ever before. He also praised the American delegation accompanying him, noting that it included representatives from some of the largest US companies.

Addressing Xi Jinping, Trump said it was an honor to be with him and to be his friend, adding that he believed the relationship between the two nations would improve significantly from now on. Trump further mentioned that the summit was being widely discussed across the United States and that he looked forward to engaging in discussions with Xi on various issues.

The meeting marked the beginning of high-level talks between the two leaders, with both sides signaling interest in strengthening bilateral cooperation, according to the report sourced from Al Jazeera.

Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized the importance of mutual cooperation at the start of his formal meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in Beijing on May 14, 2026. Xi stated that the shared interests between China and the United States are far greater than their differences. Welcoming Trump, he expressed his pleasure at hosting him in Beijing and noted that a stable relationship between the two nations benefits the entire world. Xi also said he looked forward to discussing major global issues with the U.S. president.

According to analysts cited in the report, Xi’s remarks signal a positive gesture toward stabilizing bilateral relations despite existing tensions and geopolitical challenges between the two countries. The meeting is viewed as an important step in maintaining dialogue and cooperation at a time of strained ties.

The report, sourced from Al Jazeera, highlights that the tone of the meeting suggested a willingness from both sides to focus on common ground rather than conflict.

A bilateral summit between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping has drawn mixed expectations about its potential success. According to Leiden University associate professor Salvador Santino Regilme, the outcome will depend on each leader’s priorities and how the results are presented to their domestic audiences.

For Trump, success would mean a visible and positive outcome that can be showcased to the American public. This could include Chinese commitments to purchase US goods, tariff flexibility, cooperation on Iran, or concessions on rare earth exports. For Xi, success would involve maintaining China’s internal stability, ensuring economic predictability, and reinforcing its position as a global power without appearing to yield to Washington.

Experts cited in the report believe that a broad trade deal is unlikely due to unresolved structural rivalries between the two nations. However, limited agreements—such as temporary tariff suspensions, purchase pledges, or frameworks for future talks—remain possible, potentially easing tensions without addressing deeper issues.

US President Donald Trump is meeting Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on May 14–15, marking the first visit by a US president to China in nearly a decade. The summit follows several postponements due to the Iran-Israel war and comes at a time of intensifying competition between the two global powers for international dominance.

The report highlights that China has overtaken the United States as the world’s top exporter, shipping goods worth 3.59 trillion dollars annually compared to America’s 1.9 trillion. China is now the main trading partner for 145 countries, though the US remains China’s largest partner. The United States leads in military spending, allocating 954 billion dollars in 2025, while China spent 336 billion. In technology, the US invests over 100 billion dollars in artificial intelligence, whereas China leads in electric vehicles and rare mineral processing.

Analysts cited in the report suggest that the ongoing rivalry in trade and technology could reshape the global order, with China’s state-driven model contrasting Trump’s “America First” approach focused on tariffs and domestic industrialization.

Einar Tangen, a senior fellow at the Centre for International Governance Innovation, said expectations that Beijing could use its influence over Iran to reopen the Hormuz Strait were unrealistic. Speaking to Al Jazeera from Beijing, he emphasized that China does not control Iran, which currently has more than 30 small military groups operating independently. According to Tangen, this makes it impossible for China to simply intervene and restore peace.

Rejecting comparisons with the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Tangen added that former U.S. President Donald Trump’s impulsive involvement had further complicated the situation. He noted that many now expect China to resolve the issue, but the reality is far more complex.

As the world’s largest oil importer, China itself faces difficulties due to the closure of the Hormuz Strait. Tangen acknowledged that China is also suffering from the disruption, underscoring the broader economic impact of the ongoing crisis.

The United Arab Emirates has firmly denied claims that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a secret visit to the country amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran. The denial came after Israel’s Prime Minister’s Office reportedly stated that Netanyahu had secretly traveled to the UAE and met with its president, sparking renewed debate over regional diplomacy and security.

In an official statement released through the state news agency WAM, the UAE dismissed the reports as completely baseless, clarifying that no visit by Netanyahu or any Israeli military delegation had taken place. The statement emphasized that the UAE’s relations with Israel are transparent and based on the Abraham Accords, not on any secret communications or undisclosed agreements. It further urged international and regional media to refrain from spreading unverified or politically motivated information.

The episode highlights the growing importance of information management and diplomatic messaging in the tense Middle Eastern environment, where misinformation can quickly influence regional perceptions and political narratives.

Talks between the United States and China may take on new dimensions as the Iran conflict becomes a key topic. A potential meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese leaders is expected to include the Iran crisis among the long list of mutual interests and disagreements. US officials have suggested that China should play a more active role in pressuring Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

Analysts believe that in exchange for helping to resolve the crisis, Beijing may seek significant diplomatic concessions from Washington. Experts suggest that China could bring the Taiwan issue to the center of the discussions, pressing the US to take a clearer stance against Taiwan’s independence. According to Inderjeet Parmar, professor of international politics at City, University of London, China may use its influence over Iran as leverage in this negotiation.

Observers note that the Middle East’s instability has evolved beyond a regional issue, becoming a new arena for US–China geopolitical bargaining. The future of the Iran conflict and the Strait of Hormuz may thus depend not only on Tehran and Washington but also on Beijing’s strategic calculations.

Reports published Wednesday revealed that during the ongoing war with Iran, the heads of Israel’s two main intelligence agencies secretly visited the United Arab Emirates in recent months. According to the Wall Street Journal, Mossad chief David Barnea traveled to the UAE at least twice in March and April, meeting senior Abu Dhabi officials to discuss wartime coordination. Israeli sources confirmed Barnea’s visits, though they were not officially announced. Around the same period, Shin Bet chief David Zinio also visited the UAE to strengthen cooperation between Israeli and Emirati security agencies.

The reports said the coordination covered intelligence sharing, missile and drone interception, and target selection against Iran. Earlier, the Wall Street Journal reported that the UAE had secretly carried out strikes inside Iran, including on an oil refinery on Lavan Island, though Abu Dhabi did not claim responsibility. Iran later retaliated with missile and drone attacks on the UAE and Kuwait.

According to the UAE Defense Ministry, Iran launched about 550 ballistic and cruise missiles and over 2,200 drones at the UAE, making it the most targeted Gulf state during the conflict.

Israel has been identified as the most negatively viewed country in the 2026 Global Country Perception Ranking, according to a new international survey. The study, conducted by research organization Nira Data, analyzed opinions from 46,667 respondents across 129 countries and three international organizations. North Korea, Afghanistan, and Iran followed Israel on the list of least positively perceived nations.

The survey attributes Israel’s declining global image to the ongoing war in Gaza, large-scale displacement of Palestinians, food shortages, and rising violence in the occupied West Bank. Allegations of international law violations by human rights groups, UN experts, and international courts have further worsened perceptions of the country. In contrast, Switzerland topped the list of most positively viewed nations, followed by Canada, Japan, Sweden, and Italy.

The United States also saw a sharp drop in its global standing, now ranking among the five most negatively viewed countries. Analysts linked this decline to President Donald Trump’s foreign policies, strained NATO relations, trade disputes, and Washington’s role in the Iran-Israel conflict.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has accused the United States of attempting to establish dominance over the global energy market. In an interview with the Indian edition of Russia’s state broadcaster RT, Lavrov claimed that the Trump administration aims to control key energy supply routes and push Russian energy companies out of international markets.

Lavrov stated that the United States has adopted policy documents explicitly referring to American dominance in the global energy sector. He alleged that companies such as Lukoil and Rosneft are being targeted as part of this strategy to remove Russian influence from the market.

The remarks come at a time when both the United States and Iran have strengthened their positions around the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime route through which nearly 20 percent of the world’s energy resources are transported.