President Trump on Monday night dismissed claims that China and Russia are materially assisting Iran in the ongoing U.S.-Israeli military campaign, arguing that both powers have too much at stake to risk deeper involvement.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote: "I see so many comments from the Radical Left Morons and Lunatics that China and Russia are helping the 'wonderful' Islamic Republic of Iran. If they are, it's at a very low level, but I don't believe they are at all." He added, "They have too much to lose, and we would know about it, and know about it very fast!"
The president's remarks echo a similar stance he took in July, when he said he accepted assurances from Chinese and Russian leaders that they were not supplying weapons to Tehran, warning that doing so "would be very bad for them."
His latest comments come after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told lawmakers on Capitol Hill that Beijing and Moscow were "enabling" Iran, and as reports have emerged over the course of the conflict suggesting both countries have provided some form of support to the Islamic Republic.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi acknowledged in a March interview with NBC News that "military cooperation between Iran and Russia is not something new. It's not a secret," though he declined to detail the nature of that cooperation when pressed. Separately, CNN reported in April that China was preparing to deliver advanced air defense systems to Iran, potentially routing shipments through third countries to conceal their origin. Those systems were expected to arrive by September, according to Reuters.
The U.S.-led confrontation with Iran has now stretched into its eighth month, with the conflict proving broadly unpopular among Americans. The war has contributed to a spike in gasoline prices, particularly after Iran effectively shut down the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint for roughly 20 percent of the world's oil supply. The prolonged fighting has also raised concerns about depleted U.S. weapons stockpiles and the financial burden on regional allies.
In response to the energy crunch, the Trump administration announced a deal with Russia to "immediately supply" more than 300,000 tons of diesel fuel to American and global markets. The agreement, unveiled Friday, drew sharp criticism from six Republican senators, who called it "a betrayal of our allies" at a time when Washington is backing Ukraine against Moscow's invasion. The deal has also been downplayed by the president, who has sought to frame it as a pragmatic move to stabilize prices.
Administration officials continue to insist that U.S. strikes have severely degraded Iran's military capabilities, with the stated goal of halting Tehran's nuclear program. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent echoed that optimism on Sunday, telling Fox News that Iran is "collapsing" and cannot pay its soldiers. "I don't know what 'crying uncle' is in Farsi, but they're going to be crying uncle," Bessent said, adding, "You never know how this ends."
The administration's handling of the conflict has drawn scrutiny from both parties, with some lawmakers questioning the long-term strategy and the cost to American taxpayers. The Russian diesel deal has become a flashpoint, highlighting the delicate balance between domestic economic pressures and foreign policy commitments.
