President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social that he believes China and Russia are "not participating" in the conflict involving Iran, saying both Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin promised not to sell weapons to Tehran. Trump repeated that he is "doing very big favors" for Xi and emphasized he sells arms to NATO countries, not Ukraine. His statement reflects his account of private conversations and has not been independently verified. The remarks arrived as the House passed a nonbinding resolution to end U.S. involvement, 214-208, with four Republicans joining Democrats.
Trump Says Russia and China Are "Not Participating" in Iran Conflict, Cites Promises From Xi and Putin
Donald Trump
President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social that he believes Russia and China are "not participating" in the war involving Iran, saying both Presidents Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin told him they would not sell weapons to Tehran.
In a post published Friday, Trump reiterated his account of a recent meeting in Beijing in which he says Xi told him China would not "under any circumstances" give or sell weapons to the Islamic Republic of Iran, including through Chinese companies. Trump added that, because of their relationship, he "takes him at his word" and that he is "doing him very big favors."
"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. Considering our relationship, I take him at his word and, besides, I am doing him very big favors, also." — President Donald J. Trump
Trump also wrote that Russian President Vladimir Putin told him he would not sell weapons to Iran, even as Putin presides over the war in Ukraine. Trump noted he does not sell weapons to Ukraine but sells to NATO countries, which "pay full price" and control distribution — adding that he has "no idea" how those weapons are ultimately distributed.
There is no independent verification in Trump's post that Beijing or Moscow have refrained from providing arms to Iran; his statement reflects his account of private conversations with foreign leaders.
Domestic Context
The remarks come amid an ongoing, months-long conflict involving Iran that has intensified debate in the United States. On Thursday, a nonbinding House resolution seeking to end U.S. involvement passed 214-208 after four Republicans joined 210 Democrats in voting for it. The Republican lawmakers who voted with Democrats were Representatives Thomas Massie (R-KY), Tom Barrett (R-MI), Warren Davidson (R-OH) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA).
Trump's post follows weeks in which he has alleged China attempted to influence U.S. elections, comments that have added to tensions in U.S.-China relations even as he described assurances from Xi in person.
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