Trump issues 72-hour ultimatum to Iran as Beijing summit commences
Markets rally on summit start, but geopolitical tensions over Iran and trade dominate the agenda
US President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning to Tehran, stating that Iran has “two or three days” to reach a deal and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The ultimatum comes as diplomatic and military tensions escalate in the region, with the US president linking the deadline to broader strategic objectives involving regional security and maritime trade routes.
The announcement was made against the backdrop of Trump’s two-day summit in Beijing, which began on 14 May 2026. Accompanied by a delegation of major technology executives, the president is engaged in high-level talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The summit is occurring amid complex geopolitical dynamics, including ongoing disputes over trade, artificial intelligence, and the escalating situation in the Middle East.
During the proceedings, Trump asserted that President Xi Jinping would not supply arms to Iran. This claim forms part of the US administration’s broader strategy to isolate Tehran and limit its capacity to influence regional conflicts. However, the accuracy of this assertion remains unverified within the provided reporting, and it stands as a statement from the US president rather than an independently confirmed position from Beijing.
Financial markets reacted positively to the commencement of the summit, reflecting investor sentiment ahead of the diplomatic engagements. On Thursday, US stock markets rose, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average gaining 0.8 per cent, the S&P 500 rising 0.3 per cent, and the Nasdaq Composite climbing 0.2 per cent. Additionally, Nvidia shares surged more than 2 per cent following US approval of a specific action, though details regarding this approval were truncated in the source material.
The specific details of the “deal” urged upon Tehran have not been defined in the available reports. The urgency implied by the “two or three days” deadline is reported as a warning issued by the US president, serving as a focal point for international attention as the summit continues. The interplay between the diplomatic talks in Beijing and the military posturing in the Middle East remains a critical variable for global markets and policy makers.
