US President Donald Trump has accused Russia and China of not being interested in supporting Iran in the current conflict in the West Asian nation, and warned that any future involvement by both nations would be “very bad” and in their “own interests.
In a statement on the platform Truth Social, Trump revealed that he believes China, amid their meeting in Beijing last month, had pledged “not to provide, not to sell” weapons for Iran, including through Chinese companies.
“President Xi said that he would not sell or give weapons to the Islamic Republic of Iran and I believe him,” Trump wrote. In addition, Trump reported that the Russian leader Vladimir Putin told him that Russia wouldn’t supply arms to Tehran.
Putin, Trump says, is aware of the U.S.’s current defence policy and does not believe Washington is directly militarising Ukraine, turning military assistance over to NATO members. Both Russia and China so far are “playing it safe in the battle,” and the US President believed they were not planning to support Iran militarily.
He also warned of any move by Moscow or Beijing to back Tehran as being in the interests of their countries.
“If they did, it would be very bad for them, certainly not in their best interest,” Trump said.
The comments from Trump coincide with the growing tensions in the Middle East as the U.S. and Iran continue to threaten to further the conflict in the region, and potentially involve other nations and powers.