Russia and Putin · Second term · № 132
Said 'I trust' Putin's promise not to arm Iran, days after his defense secretary said Russia was 'enabling' Tehran
“Well, I don't know that they're enabling. I mean, I will tell you that President Xi said he will not partake, and President Putin said the same thing. I think—you know, I trust them.”
- Said
- , Oval Office, exchange with reporters at a nuclear energy event; Truth Social
- Subject
- Putin's word on Iran arms
- Type
- Intelligence and security
- Topic
- Foreign policy
- Era
- Second term
What happened
On July 21, 2026 Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told the Senate Appropriations Committee that both Russia and China were 'enabling' Iran's war effort against the United States 'at different levels.' On July 24 Trump posted that Putin 'told me that he would not sell Weapons to Iran' and that the two countries were 'in my opinion, not participating,' and told reporters he trusted both leaders' assurances, adding 'I don't think they'd want to have me disappointed.' The Independent reported that Moscow and Beijing had supplied intelligence and technical help to Tehran, including satellite reconnaissance imagery used for targeting. On July 27, asked about Zelensky's statement that Russia was giving Iran satellite imagery of U.S. bases, he said 'I'll ask Putin about it' and 'I don't think they've been doing it. Certainly not at a high level.' His post also said he did not sell weapons to Ukraine but to NATO countries and had 'no idea' how they were distributed.