President Trump took aim at a top Kremlin official for saying there are countries that will supply Iran with nuclear warheads, in the wake of U.S. forces bombing Iranian nuclear facilities.
“Did I hear Former President Medvedev, from Russia, casually throwing around the ‘N word’ (Nuclear!), and saying that he and other Countries would supply Nuclear Warheads to Iran? Did he really say that or, is it just a figment of my imagination?” Mr. Trump wrote on social media Monday.
“If he did say that, and, if confirmed, please let me know, IMMEDIATELY. The ‘N word’ should not be treated so casually. I guess that’s why Putin’s ‘THE BOSS,’” he wrote, referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Mr. Medvedev, currently the deputy chair of the security council for Russia, shared his thoughts Sunday on the United States’ attack, questioning in a social media post what was accomplished.
He said Iran’s nuclear facilities only sustained minor damage, the production of nuclear weapons will continue and that “a number of countries are ready to directly supply Iran with their own nuclear warheads.”
Mr. Medvedev also slammed Mr. Trump, saying, “Donald Trump, once hailed as ‘president of peace,’ has now pushed the U.S. into another war,” and said he could forget winning a Nobel Peace Prize” — something Mr. Trump has been eyeing.
“What a way to kick things off, Mr. President,” he wrote. “Congratulations!”
The comments come after the U.S. bombed three sites, including the key Iranian nuclear site at Fordo, an underground facility that could only be penetrated by 30,000-pound U.S. “bunker buster” bombs. The others were Natanz and Esfahan.
In his televised address to the nation Saturday night, Mr. Trump said the strikes were “a spectacular military success.”
“Iran’s key nuclear enrichment facilities have been completely and totally obliterated,” he said.
He also threatened further strikes on Iran if it does not make peace.
“Iran, the bully of the Middle East, must now make peace. If they do not, future attacks will be far greater and a lot easier,” he said.
Russian presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters Monday that Russia will help Iran with its growing conflict in the Middle East, but only if the Islamic Republic tells Moscow what help it needs
“It all depends on what Iran needs. We have offered our mediation efforts. This is concrete. We have stated our position, which is also a very important form of support for the Iranian side,” Mr. Peskov said, according to TASS, the country’s state-run media. “Going forward, everything will depend on what Iran needs at this moment.”
He also noted that Mr. Putin will meet Monday with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to discuss “views in the wake of this traumatic escalation.”
They will also discuss “proposals and its vision of the current situation,” he said.
