United States President Donald Trump has warned Russia and China against arms sales to Iran, saying any attempt to support Tehran militarily would carry serious consequences for both countries.
According to AFP, Trump issued the warning on Friday through his Truth Social platform amid growing concerns over possible foreign support for Iran. However, he said Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin had assured him that their countries were not supplying weapons to Tehran.
“Therefore, two major countries that people speak of often in terms of Iran are, in my opinion, not participating,” Trump said. “If they did, it would be very bad for them — certainly not in their best interests.”
Trump says he trusts Xi’s assurance
The American president said Xi made the commitment when both leaders met in Beijing in May. According to Trump, the Chinese leader promised that Beijing would not arm Iran under any circumstances.
Trump said he accepted the assurance because of the relationship between the two leaders.
“Considering our relationship, I take him at his word,” he said.
China has maintained close economic and diplomatic relations with Iran, while repeatedly opposing unilateral sanctions and military action against Tehran. Trump’s comments suggest that Washington wants Beijing to avoid taking a direct role in the ongoing conflict.
The warning follows reports that American officials are investigating whether China or Russia has provided Iran with targeting information after attacks on United States military bases.
Putin also promised not to arm Iran, Trump says
Trump said Putin had given him a similar assurance despite continuing disagreements between Washington and Moscow over the war in Ukraine.
The US president also defended his administration’s approach to supplying weapons to Ukraine, saying Washington sells military equipment to NATO members rather than giving it directly to Kyiv.
“He understands that I do not sell weapons to Ukraine, but to NATO countries,” Trump said. “They pay full price, and how those weapons are distributed, I have no idea.”
Trump has often stressed the need to maintain direct communication with the leaders of Russia and China because of their influence on international security.
His latest warning comes as tensions between Washington and Tehran continue to rise following Iranian attacks on American bases and further US military action against Iranian targets.
Although Trump said he believed Russia and China were not currently involved in arming Iran, he made clear that Washington would respond strongly if either country changed its position.
