Trump Downplays Reports Russia, China Aided Iran as 100s of Missiles Allegedly Loom
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Aug 4
Trump Downplays Reports Russia, China Aided Iran as 100s of Missiles Allegedly Loom
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Aug 4
Summary
Trump said alleged Russian intelligence help and possible Chinese arms support for Iran were likely "very unimpactful," arguing U.S. strikes had already badly degraded Tehran’s military.
The remarks push against claims from Zelenskyy that Russian satellites surveyed 4 U.S.-linked air bases in Bahrain, Jordan and Kuwait before Iranian attacks, and a Reuters report that China could send hundreds of shoulder-fired missiles via Pakistan.
Hegseth and a White House official still acknowledged Moscow and Beijing are enabling Iran in some ways, while insisting any outside help has not improved Tehran’s ability to hit Americans.
Russia, China and Pakistan denied the allegations, but outside analysts said the reports were plausible because intelligence sharing or air-defense transfers would let Moscow and Beijing raise U.S. costs without direct military engagement.
The dispute underscores a wider concern that Russia, China and Iran are acting in closer alignment across the Ukraine and Middle East wars, even as Trump says he trusts assurances from Putin and Xi.