Former President Donald Trump has issued a strong warning to China and Russia, stating that it would be "very bad" for both nations if they arm Iran. Trump asserted that providing military support to Iran is "certainly not in their best interests."
Trump claimed that Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin assured him during recent interactions that they were not arming Iran and were not participating in the conflict involving the Islamic Republic. He specifically referenced a meeting in Beijing where Xi Jinping allegedly stated he would not sell weapons to Iran "under any circumstances." Similarly, Trump said President Putin indicated he would not sell weapons to Iran, despite the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
These remarks follow earlier Western intelligence reports suggesting that Russia had supplied drones, food, and medicine to Iran. Additionally, U.S. media reported that China had considered shipping air defense systems to the country.
Trump’s comments also come amid a reported increase in executions in Iran, with human rights groups noting a ramp-up in repression. The Islamic Republic reportedly executed over 100 individuals last month, including three women, as it sought to clamp down on protests. More than 50 people have been killed for participating in these demonstrations, which have been described as the largest since the current Iranian government came to power in 1979. Experts have expressed concerns that the rate of executions may accelerate following the failure of ceasefire proposals.