Trump Criticizes 'Radical Lunatics' Over Claims Russia and China Aid Iran
US President Donald Trump rejected claims that Russia and China are helping Iran and accused 'radical lunatics' of raising these allegations.
US President Donald Trump said Russia and China are unlikely to help Iran in a conflict with the US and Israel because they have too much to lose. He rejected claims that the two countries support Tehran and stressed that Washington would quickly detect any significant involvement.
These statements are made while American officials and Western media claim that Russia and China are providing military and intelligence assistance to Iran, even though both countries want an end to the conflict.
In a social media post on Monday, Trump lashed out at political opponents who claim Russia and China are helping Iran, while acknowledging that limited aid cannot be ruled out.
Trump wrote: I see the comments of many idiots and madmen of the radical left that China and Russia are helping the "wonderful" Islamic Republic of Iran.
"If they are, it's at a very low level, but I don't believe they are at all. They have a lot to lose, and we know about it, and we know about it very quickly!" he added.
These statements of Trump follow the previous claims of US Secretary of War Pete Hegsett that Russia and China are helping Iran in different ways. Speaking at a Senate hearing in July, Hexett said both countries "are at different levels enabling some of the things that Iran is doing," but declined to elaborate, citing classified information.
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Cain also declined to discuss the extent of any involvement, saying it would reveal sensitive U.S. information.
Washington has sanctioned Chinese companies accused of supplying Iran with military equipment. In June, the US Treasury targeted companies based in China and Hong Kong that were allegedly involved in supplying weapons to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Iran's Defense Ministry.
Further sanctions in July targeted entities in China, Russia and elsewhere accused of supporting an Iranian airline linked to arms shipments.
The Wall Street Journal also reported that Chinese entities have delivered satellite imagery, dual-use electronics, and components used in missiles and drones to Iran. China has rejected military aid to Iran.
Trump's comments follow a series of high-level contacts with Moscow and Beijing focusing on energy and economic cooperation.
Trump discussed Iran, trade and energy during his September meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Washington, urging Beijing to increase production of refined fuel to help stabilize global markets.
On Friday, Trump struck a diesel deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin to reduce record fuel prices, after his administration repeatedly called on Kiev to end attacks on Russian oil infrastructure.
The US subsequently eased sanctions on Russian diesel exports until April 2027. Moscow pledged to supply 300,000 tonnes in October, 500,000 tonnes in November and 1 million tonnes in December. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said that monthly shipments could eventually reach 3 million tons and that Russia would lift its export restrictions ahead of schedule.