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U.S. President Donald Trump said Friday that Russian President Vladimir Putin may be providing limited support to Iran, while also downplaying Ukraine’s potential role in countering Iranian drones.
"I think he might be helping them a little bit, yeah, I guess. And he probably thinks we’re helping Ukraine, right?" Trump told Fox News Radio. "Yeah, we’re helping them also. And so he (Putin) says that, and China would say the same thing, you know. It’s like, hey, they do it and we do it in all fairness."
U.S. intelligence has earlier reported that Russia provided Iran with information that could help Tehran target U.S. military ships, aircraft and facilities in the region.
Trump also dismissed the idea that the U.S. would rely on Ukraine’s experience in countering Iranian Shahed drones. "No, we don’t need their help on drone defense," Trump said. Zelenskyy previously said the U.S. had sought Ukraine’s expertise in responding to Iranian-made drones used by Russia in the war.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that when Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Moscow used drones containing Iranian components to attack Ukrainian targets.
He added that Iran is now receiving Russian components that could help it conduct strikes across the Middle East and against U.S. bases. According to Zelenskyy, Russia is also supplying drones and air defense systems to Tehran and may consider sending troops to Iran.
Trump also indicated the U.S. has not begun escorting commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil shipping route, but left the option open. "We would do it if we need to," he said. "Hopefully things are going to go very well."
He asserted that U.S. currently has no operation underway to take control of Iran’s enriched uranium, which is believed to be stored underground. "No, not at all," he said when asked about such a possibility. "We’re not focused on that. But at some point, we might be."
In response to questions over duration of the conflict, he argued that it will last sooner but did not outline specific conditions. "This will bounce right back when it’s over, and I don’t think it’s going to be long," he said. "When I feel it — when I feel it in my bones."
In a separate message posted on Truth Social earlier Friday, Trump said the United States was "totally destroying" Iran militarily and economically and signaled further developments later in the day.
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