US President Donald Trump has warned China and Russia against providing support to Iran as Washington continues its military campaign against Tehran amid rising tensions in the Middle East.
The warning came after US intelligence officials launched an investigation into whether Russia had helped Iran target CIA facilities in the Gulf region earlier this year.
Sources told Reuters that Moscow may have assisted Iran by providing advanced drone technology, although US intelligence officials have yet to reach a final conclusion on Russia’s alleged involvement.
Trump said Russian President Vladimir Putin had assured him that Moscow would not sell weapons to Iran, while also claiming Chinese President Xi Jinping had made a similar commitment.
“President Putin told me that he would not sell weapons to Iran,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social, adding that he believed both leaders understood the consequences of such actions.
However, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said China and Russia had been “enabling” some of Iran’s activities, while noting that certain intelligence details remained classified.
The US president also warned Iran that it faced two choices — either continue facing intensified military action or agree to a negotiated settlement.
Speaking from the White House, Trump said the conflict could continue through increased military operations or end through what he described as a “smarter strategy” involving a deal.
He claimed discussions with Iran were ongoing and said Tehran appeared interested in reaching an agreement despite publicly maintaining a tougher stance.
The latest developments followed reports that US-linked facilities, including CIA locations in Saudi Arabia and Iraq, had been targeted in attacks earlier this year.
Concerns over foreign involvement increased after strikes on a US-linked base in Jordan killed two soldiers, with officials examining possible links to Iran’s wider military operations.
Trump has also threatened “major military punishment” against Iran and its Houthi allies in Yemen following attacks on Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea.
The escalation comes after Iran rejected a proposed ceasefire deal reportedly delivered through Iraq’s prime minister on behalf of Washington.
Trump previously said he was considering launching a larger military operation against Iran, warning that any future attack could be more severe than previous strikes.
The US president added that Israel could join any future operation if requested, but warned that any involvement could trigger further consequences in the region.
