Trump maintains that China, Russia are staying out of Iran war, citing relationship with Xi, Putin

President Trump says he does not believe two strategic partners of Iran, China and Russia, are assisting Tehran in its war with the U.S.

Mr. Trump said if either country helped Iran, it would be “very bad for them.”

The president cited his personal relationship and policy actions in asserting his belief that neither Chinese President Xi Jinping nor Russian President Vladimir Putin would go behind his back and assist 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 — And that statement included Chinese Companies,” Mr. Trump said Friday on social media. “Considering our relationship, I take him at his word and, besides, l am doing him very big favors, also.”

Mr. Trump said he also enjoys a working relationship with Mr. Putin “despite the horrible War going on in Ukraine.”

Mr. Putin launched the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

“He understands that I do not sell Weapons to Ukraine, but to NATO Countries,” Mr. Trump said. “They pay full price, and how those Weapons are distributed, I have no idea.

“Therefore, two major Countries that people speak of often in terms of Iran are, in my opinion, not participating. If they did, it would be very bad for them — Certainly not in their best interests.”

It’s not clear what sparked Mr. Trump’s post, but reports suggest Russia and China could be providing Iran with intelligence about U.S. military assets.

Iran was recently able to get through U.S. defenses and strike a military base in Jordan, killing three U.S. troops.