‘Xi, Putin assured they won’t arm Iran’: Trump says China, Russia keeping promise
US President Donald Trump Friday said his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping and Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin had personally assured him that their countries would not supply weapons to Iran, even as he warned that any such move would have serious consequences.In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said both leaders had pledged not to arm Tehran and expressed confidence that they would honour their commitments.“Therefore, two major Countries that people speak of often in terms of 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.”Trump said Xi gave him the assurance during their recent meeting in Beijing, where the Chinese leader promised that neither the Chinese government nor its defence companies would provide military equipment to Iran.“President Xi, at our recent meeting in Beijing, China, told me that he would not, under any circumstances, give or sell Weapons to the Islamic Republic of Iran,” Trump posted. He added that he trusted Xi’s commitment.“Considering our relationship, I take him at his word and, besides, I am doing him very big favours, also,” Trump remarked.Trump also claimed that Russian President Vladimir Putin had made a similar promise despite the ongoing war in Ukraine.“Likewise, President Putin, despite the horrible war going on in Ukraine (the relationship remains, as it does with President Zelenskyy), told me that he would not sell Weapons to Iran,” Trump stated.Trump further said Putin understood that the United States sells weapons to NATO allies rather than directly to 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 said.Trump’s remarks come amid reports that Washington is examining whether Russia or China may have shared targeting intelligence with Iran following recent attacks on US military installations in the region.Although he did not comment on any investigation, Trump maintained that neither Beijing nor Moscow was currently providing military support to Tehran.Repeating his warning, Trump said any decision by China or Russia to arm Iran would ultimately damage their own strategic interests.
