WASHINGTON, July 25, 2026 (Reuters) – US President Donald Trump warned on Friday that it would be “very bad” for China or Russia if either country were to provide weapons to Iran, saying he believes both governments have pledged not to do so.

Trump said Chinese President Xi Jinping assured him during their recent meeting in Beijing that China would neither supply nor sell weapons to Iran, including through Chinese companies.

“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, l am doing him very big favors, also,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.

Trump also said Russian President Vladimir Putin had given similar assurances despite the ongoing war in Ukraine, and told him that Russia would not sell weapons to Iran.

“He understands that I do not sell Weapons to Ukraine, but to NATO Countries. They pay full price, and how those Weapons are distributed, I have no idea.

“Therefore, two major Countries that people speak of often in terms of Iran are, in my opinion, not participating. If they did, it would be very bad for them — Certainly not in their best interests,” Trump said.

‘I don’t think they’d want to have me disappointed’
Later, Trump said he trusts both Xi and Putin to honor their commitments not to provide weapons to Iran.

Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump was asked to reconcile his comments with those of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who has said Russia and China are “enabling” Iran.

“I don’t know that they’re ‘enabling’,” said Trump.

The president said both Xi and Putin had assured him they would not supply arms to Iran.

“I will tell you that President Xi said he will not partake. And President Putin said the same thing. I think I trust them,” Trump said.

Trump added that he believes both leaders have an incentive to uphold those commitments.

“I don’t think they’d want to have me disappointed,” he said.