Trump says Putin may be helping Iran ‘a bit’
Trump says Putin may be helping Iran ‘a bit’
During a recent interview with Fox News, US President Donald Trump expressed the belief that Russian leader Vladimir Putin and his country are providing Iran with some level of assistance in the current conflict involving the United States and Israel. He also mentioned the US’s continued support for Ukrainian forces in their confrontation with Russian troops.
Russian Intelligence Exchange with Iran
According to reports from US media outlets, Russia has been transmitting coordinates of US military assets to Iran, which could be used to direct missile and drone strikes in the Middle East. However, US Special Envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff clarified that Russia had assured the Trump administration it was not sharing intelligence directly with Tehran.
“I think he [Putin] may be helping them a bit, yeah,” Trump stated, acknowledging the possibility of Russian involvement in Iran’s operations.
Trump further noted that Putin likely perceives the US as aiding Ukraine, remarking, “They do it, and we do it.” This comparison underscores the dual strategy of supporting allies while engaging in geopolitical tensions.
Iran’s Satellite Limitations
Recent findings from the Wall Street Journal revealed that Russian satellites provide critical data for Iran, compensating for its limited satellite capabilities. This information could enhance Iran’s ability to target US military ships and aircraft effectively.
Trump had previously downplayed the significance of Russian intelligence in the conflict, asserting on Air Force One in March that “If they are, they’re not doing a very good job.” He added, “Iran is not doing too well,” reflecting his ongoing skepticism about Moscow’s impact.
Sanctions and Global Energy Markets
Following the US’s decision to temporarily ease sanctions on Russian oil, Trump aims to stabilize rising energy prices as the conflict enters its third week. Initially, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent described the measure as offering minimal financial benefit to Moscow, but he later admitted it was “an inevitability” and “unfortunate.”
“It was an inevitability,” Bessent said, while acknowledging the move’s unintended consequences.
The Kremlin responded positively, with special envoy Kirill Dmitriev stating that the US was “effectively acknowledging the obvious: without Russian oil, the global energy market cannot remain stable.”
US Support for Ukraine
Although US intelligence has played a role in Ukraine’s military operations, including targeting strategic sites and energy infrastructure, this assistance was briefly halted in March of the previous year due to heightened diplomatic discussions between US and Ukrainian officials.