Trump warns Russia and China against arms sales to Iran

US President Donald Trump warned Russia and China on Friday against selling weapons to Iran, saying he believed assurances from Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin that neither country was doing so. He made the comments on his Truth Social platform amid growing scrutiny of both nations' ties to Tehran.

Why is Trump warning China and Russia against arming Iran?

Trump said two major countries often linked to Iran were not currently participating in arming it, warning that doing so would be "very bad for them" and against their own interests. His remarks came as Washington investigates whether Moscow or Beijing has been providing Iran with targeting information following recent strikes on US bases.

The president said Xi told him during their May meeting in Beijing that China would not arm Iran under any circumstances. Trump added that given the relationship between the two countries, he took Xi "at his word."

What did Putin tell Trump about arming Iran?

Trump said Putin made a similar promise despite Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine, adding that Russian weapons are sold to NATO countries rather than Ukraine directly. He said NATO members pay full price for the weapons, and he has no insight into how they are later distributed.

Trump has repeatedly taken a more accommodating tone toward Xi and Putin than toward Washington's traditional allies, arguing that both leaders command respect as heads of major world powers.