Russia, China warned by Trump
Supplying weapons to Iran will have very bad consequences
Xi Jinping, Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin. Photo: Collected
US President Donald Trump has warned that the consequences would be ‘very bad’ if China or Russia supplied weapons to Iran. At the same time, he claimed that Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin had assured him that they would not provide weapons to Iran.
Trump made the remarks in a post on his social media platform Truth Social. His comments came as discussions continue in the United States over whether Russia and China have been providing Tehran with intelligence or military assistance following Iran's continued attacks.
According to Trump, during a recent meeting in Beijing, Xi Jinping told him that under no circumstances would China or Chinese companies supply or sell weapons to Iran. He said, “At our recent meeting in Beijing, President Xi told me that under no circumstances would he give or sell weapons to Iran. That includes Chinese companies. Considering our relationship, I believe him, and besides that, I am giving him big, big benefits.”
He also said that despite the ongoing war in Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin had given him a similar assurance. Trump claimed that Putin told him Russia would not sell weapons to Iran either.
Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump also said, “I don't know whether they are helping or not. Xi and Putin have both assured me that they will not supply weapons to Iran.” He further claimed, “I can tell you that President Xi said he would not be part of it. President Putin said the same thing. I believe them.”
According to Trump, both leaders have their own interests in keeping that commitment. He said, “So I don't think they want to disappoint me.”
Since the US and Israel launched military operations against Iran in February, tensions between the two countries have intensified. Amid the situation, US intelligence agencies have been investigating whether Russia and China are providing military or intelligence assistance to Iran, according to reports published by various international media outlets.
A report citing four people familiar with US intelligence said that after Iran attacked US targets in the Gulf region at the beginning of the conflict, the United States has been investigating whether Russia provided Tehran with targeting information or drone technology. However, the Kremlin declined to comment on the matter.
Meanwhile, the United States has already imposed sanctions on several individuals and entities in Russia and China over allegations of helping Iran acquire weapons. In addition, a report published in March claimed that Russia provided Iran with satellite imagery to monitor US military positions and movements. However, the authenticity of that allegation could not be independently verified.
Source: Reuters (Adapted)
