Former President Donald Trump issued a strong warning to China and Russia, stating that it would be "very bad" for both nations if they were to arm Iran.
In a statement directed at the two global powers, Trump emphasized that providing military support to Iran would not be in their "best interests." He claimed that both Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin had assured him they were not currently arming Iran and were not involved in the conflict.
Trump recalled a meeting in Beijing where he said Xi Jinping stated he would not "under any circumstances" sell weapons to the Islamic Republic. Similarly, Trump asserted that President Putin, despite the ongoing war in Ukraine, had also assured him of no arms sales to Iran.
These comments follow earlier Western intelligence reports that suggested Russia had sent drones, food, and medicine to Iran. U.S. media also reported that China had considered supplying air defense systems to the country.
Trump concluded his statement by asserting that if China and Russia were to arm Iran, "it would be very bad for them." His remarks come at a time when Iran has reportedly increased its executions, with human rights groups warning of escalating repression within the country. Iran reportedly restarted capital punishment in March, coinciding with the onset of a conflict involving the U.S. and Israel, as a means to suppress protests. Over 50 individuals have been killed for participating in these demonstrations, the largest number since 1979. Experts anticipate a further increase in executions as ceasefire proposals have reportedly failed.