Trump trusts China, Russia not to arm Iran, warns of consequences

Donald Trump said Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin had assured him their countries would not arm Iran. His remarks contrasted with recent US concerns over possible Russian and Chinese support to Tehran.

In Short

• Xi told Trump China would neither give nor sell weapons to Iran
• Putin also said Russia would not sell arms to Tehran, Trump said
• Hegseth earlier told lawmakers Moscow and Beijing were enabling Iranian actions

US President Donald Trump said on Friday that he trusted China and Russia not to help Iran in its conflict with the United States, but warned that any involvement would be “very bad” for both countries.

Trump said Chinese President Xi Jinping had assured him during their recent meeting in Beijing that China would not give or sell weapons to Iran, including through Chinese companies. He added that Russian President Vladimir Putin had also told him that Russia would not sell weapons to Tehran.

“I think I trust them,” Trump told reporters at the White House, saying he did not believe either country was enabling Iran in the conflict.

According to Reuters, Trump’s remarks came days after Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth told lawmakers that Russia and China were involved in ways that were “enabling some of the things Iran is doing”, without providing further details.

US intelligence has also been examining whether Russia may have assisted Iran with targeting information or drone technology following Iranian strikes on CIA targets in the Gulf, according to four people familiar with the matter. The Kremlin declined to comment on the report.

The US has previously sanctioned individuals and companies in Russia and China over alleged assistance to Iran in acquiring weapons.

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