Trump Warns Russia, China Against Involvement in Iran Conflict

U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday issued a public warning to China and Russia against any involvement in the ongoing military conflict with Iran, stating that such participation would carry severe consequences. The remarks underscore the high-stakes diplomatic maneuvering surrounding the war in the Middle East.

Trump Cites Assurances from Xi and Putin

In a post on the Truth Social platform, Trump said he does not believe either nation is currently "participating" in the conflict. He cited personal assurances from Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin that they would not sell weapons to the Islamic Republic of 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," Trump wrote. He added that if either country were to get involved, "it would be very bad for them — Certainly not in their best interests."

Context of the Ongoing War

The president's warning comes amid a war that began in February following joint U.S. and Israeli strikes that killed senior Iranian officials, including the supreme leader, according to Reuters. The conflict has raised concerns about potential escalation and the involvement of other global powers.

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U.S. intelligence has been investigating whether Russia provided targeting information or drone technology to Iran for strikes on CIA targets in the Gulf earlier in the war, according to four people familiar with the matter. The Kremlin reportedly declined to comment on the issue on Thursday.

Geopolitical and Market Implications

Any confirmation of material support for Iran from China or Russia would represent a significant escalation of geopolitical risk, with potential impacts on global markets. Investors are closely watching for any signs of a widening conflict, which could disrupt energy supplies and trigger a flight to safe-haven assets.

The United States has previously used economic measures to counter such support, having sanctioned various individuals and companies in both Russia and China for aiding Iran's weapons procurement programs.