Trump, Putin talk about Iran’s ability to obtain nuclear weapons
President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are in agreement when it comes to preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons, the White House confirmed. The two leaders, who recently discussed ways to end the war in Ukraine, emphasized the importance of ensuring that Iran does not have access to weapons that could pose a threat to Israel.
During their phone call, Trump and Putin also touched on the broader issue of cooperation in the Middle East to prevent future conflicts. They underscored the need to curb the proliferation of strategic weapons and expressed a shared view that Iran should never be allowed to threaten Israel.
Meanwhile, Russia has been urging the U.S. to ease the sanctions imposed on Iran, which have severely impacted Tehran’s economy. In a meeting in Beijing, Russian, Chinese, and Iranian representatives called on the U.S. to lift the sanctions and resume nuclear discussions. They emphasized the importance of political and diplomatic engagement based on mutual respect as the best way to address the issue.
Russia has maintained a strong relationship with Iran and has used Iranian drones in the conflict in Ukraine. The use of Iranian-made drones by Russia against Ukrainian targets has been documented, highlighting the close ties between the two countries. The Defense Intelligence Agency has also reported that Iran provided Russia with access to attack drones, further illustrating their collaboration.
Trump has been vocal about his concerns regarding Iran’s nuclear ambitions, reinstating a “maximum pressure” campaign against Iran through sanctions targeting its oil exports. He recently hinted at the possibility of a new nuclear deal with Iran, stating that negotiations could be on the horizon. In a letter to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Trump urged Iran to consider reaching a nuclear agreement to avoid potential military intervention.
Failure to reach a deal could lead to military action, Trump warned in a recent interview. He emphasized his preference for negotiation but made it clear that military intervention could be on the table if necessary. The time for action is approaching, he said, and he hopes that Iran will choose to engage in negotiations to avoid a potentially disastrous outcome.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Diana Stancy is a politics reporter with Fox News Digital covering the White House.
