DST News: US President Donald Trump travelled to Beijing on Tuesday for a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping amid rising tensions over Iran and regional security.

Before departing, Trump said trade would be the main focus of the meeting, but added that he planned a “long talk” with Xi about the Iran conflict. The visit comes as fears grow over a wider regional war involving Iran, Israel, and the United States.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei accused the US and Israel of spreading false claims to justify attacks on Iran, describing the conflict as a struggle between “a proud people” and “professional liars”.

Meanwhile, China urged Pakistan to strengthen mediation efforts aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil shipping route disrupted by recent fighting.

In other developments, Lebanon reported that two paramedics were killed in an Israeli strike in southern Lebanon, while several countries continue discussing a post-war security mission to protect shipping in the Gulf region.

The crisis has also increased debate over Trump’s proposed “Golden Dome” missile defense system, now estimated to cost about $1.2 trillion over 20 years.

Source: Aljazeera