US President Donald Trump on Friday cautioned Russia and China against providing weapons to Iran, while expressing confidence that both countries had so far honored their commitments not to do so.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said he believed neither Beijing nor Moscow was currently involved in arming Tehran.
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“Therefore, two major countries that people often mention in relation to Iran are, in my opinion, not participating,” Trump wrote. “If they did, it would be very bad for them—certainly not in their best interests.”
His remarks came amid reports that US authorities are examining whether Russia and China may have supplied Iran with targeting intelligence following a series of attacks on American military bases.
Trump said Chinese President Xi Jinping assured him during their meeting in Beijing in May that China would not provide weapons to Iran under any circumstances.
“Considering our relationship, I take him at his word,” Trump wrote.
The US president also said Russian President Vladimir Putin had given him a similar assurance despite the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
“He understands that I do not sell weapons to Ukraine, but to NATO countries. They pay full price, and how those weapons are distributed, I have no idea,” Trump stated.
Throughout his presidency, Trump has often adopted a more conciliatory tone toward Xi and Putin than toward some of Washington’s traditional allies, arguing that both leaders deserve respect because they head major global powers.
AFP
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