Russia Clarifies No Plan to Supply Iran with Nuclear Warheads Amid U.S. Strikes

Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, now serving as the deputy chairman of the Russian Security Council, has clarified that Moscow has no intention of providing Iran with nuclear warheads. This statement comes in response to accusations by former U.S. President Donald Trump, who criticized Medvedev for suggesting that other nations might supply Iran with nuclear weapons following the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.

Medvedev initially made remarks about the possibility of other countries helping Iran further its nuclear program. He later clarified that his comments were not about Russia. ‘I condemn the U.S. strike on Iran — it failed to achieve its objectives,’ Medvedev stated in a post on X, adding that Russia, unlike Israel, is bound by the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and would not provide nuclear weapons to Iran.

Trump, however, took issue with Medvedev’s original remarks, accusing him of casually mentioning the idea of supplying nuclear weapons to Iran. He posted on Truth Social expressing his disapproval, suggesting that such comments are not to be taken lightly. ‘That’s why Putin’s the boss,’ Trump remarked, highlighting the political tensions between Moscow and Washington.

Andrea Sticker, a deputy director at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, noted that Medvedev’s initial statement was likely an attempt to boast. She suggested that no countries, including Pakistan or North Korea, would supply Iran with nuclear weapons due to the risk of U.S. retaliation. According to Sticker, Moscow and Pyongyang, at least as per available open-source information, appear to be relatively inactive in supporting Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

The U.S. launched air strikes on key Iranian nuclear sites late Saturday, with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dan Caine, confirming the action. The ongoing U.S. strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities have intensified regional tensions, with the conflict between Israel and Iran continuing to escalate amid political and military maneuvering.

Trump further announced a ceasefire between Israel and Iran but expressed dissatisfaction with both nations for alleged violations of the agreement. ‘I’m not happy with them. I’m really unhappy with Israel going out this morning,’ Trump remarked at the White House, indicating the complexities and unresolved issues in the region’s geopolitical landscape.