US President Donald Trump has issued a direct warning to Russia and China against supplying weapons to Iran, saying any decision to support Tehran’s military campaign would be “very bad for them” and against their national interests.
Trump said Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping had personally assured him that their countries would not sell or provide weapons to Iran. His statement comes as the United States continues military action against Tehran and concerns grow that the conflict could draw in other world powers.
Writing on his Truth Social platform, Trump said Xi gave him the assurance during a recent meeting in Beijing.
According to the US president, Xi promised that China would not “under any circumstances” supply weapons to Iran. Trump said the commitment also covered private and state-linked Chinese companies.
Trump said he accepted the Chinese leader’s promise because of their relationship. He added that Putin had given him a similar assurance that Russia would not sell arms to Tehran.
“Two major countries that people speak of often in terms of Iran are, in my opinion, not participating,” Trump said.
He added: “If they did, it would be very bad for them — certainly not in their best interests.”
Read related stories:
Speaking to journalists at the White House later on Friday, Trump said he believed the two leaders would keep their promises.
“I think I trust them,” he said, adding that neither Putin nor Xi would want to disappoint him.
Trump’s confidence, however, appears to differ from concerns raised by senior officials within his administration.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth recently told lawmakers that Russia and China were enabling some Iranian activities at different levels. He did not provide details publicly about the nature of the alleged support.
Trump appeared to play down those claims, saying he did not know whether Moscow or Beijing was enabling Iran. He acknowledged that the countries may have taken some actions but said any assistance provided so far had not been significant.
The comments have raised questions about whether there are different assessments within the Trump administration over the role of Russia and China in the conflict.
US intelligence agencies have reportedly examined whether Russia provided Iran with targeting information or drone technology following Iranian attacks on facilities linked to the Central Intelligence Agency in the Gulf.
The Kremlin declined to comment on the intelligence claims. The United States has also imposed sanctions on Russian and Chinese individuals and businesses accused of helping Iran obtain weapons or military equipment.
China has previously denied US allegations that Chinese organisations provided military support to Tehran.
The warning comes during renewed fighting between the United States and Iran.
Washington and Tehran have been at war since the United States and Israel launched strikes against Iran in February. The attacks killed senior Iranian officials, including the country’s supreme leader.
The latest escalation has included further US strikes on Iranian targets. Iran has responded by attacking ships in the Strait of Hormuz and targeting American military assets and US allies across the Middle East.
Explosions were reported near a military base hosting US forces in northern Iraq on Friday, while warning sirens sounded in Bahrain. The American military said it had completed a 13th night of renewed strikes against Iran.
Iranian attacks in the Strait of Hormuz have increased fears over global energy supplies. The narrow waterway is one of the world’s most important routes for oil and gas shipments, meaning prolonged disruption could increase fuel prices and place further pressure on the global economy.
Iran-backed Houthi fighters have also targeted Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea, threatening another major route used to transport energy and commercial goods.
Russia and China have longstanding political, economic and security relationships with Iran, but neither country has publicly entered the war as a direct combatant.