WASHINGTON — President Trump warned Monday that the US is willing and able to use “the most powerful and lethal weapons ever built” after Russia’s former president suggested “a number of countries” could help Iran rebuild its nuclear program.
On Sunday, Dmitry Medvedev, who served as Russia’s president from 2008 to 2012, rebuked the previous day’s US strikes on three key Iranian nuclear facilities, warning on X: “The enrichment of nuclear material — and, now we can say it outright, the future production of nuclear weapons — will continue.”
“A number of countries are ready to directly supply Iran with their own nuclear warheads,” added Medvedev, who has a history of aggressive and outlandish statements on social media. “Trump can forget about the Nobel Peace Prize.”
“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?” Trump responded on Truth Social 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.’
“By the way,” the 79-year-old continued, ” if anyone thinks our ‘hardware’ was great over the weekend, far and away the strongest and best equipment we have, 20 years advanced over the pack, is our Nuclear Submarines.
“They are the most powerful and lethal weapons ever built, and just launched the 30 Tomahawks — All 30 hit their mark perfectly. So, in addition to our Great Fighter Pilots, thank you to the Captain and Crew!”
Medvedev, 59, appeared to back off in a subsequent message on X.
“Regarding President Trump’s concerns: I condemn the US strike on Iran — it failed to achieve its objectives. However, Russia has no intention of supplying nuclear weapons to Iran because, unlike Israel, we are parties to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty,” he said.
“I know quite well what this would entail, having overseen our nuclear forces as president. But other countries might — and that’s what was said,” he continued. “And we definitely shouldn’t be arguing over who has more nukes.”
The Kremlin has long aligned itself with the theocratic regime in Tehran, and received support from Iran in its war against Ukraine, particularly through the supply of drone technology.
Over the weekend, Vice President JD Vance hit back at Medvedev’s stunning remarks about giving Iran a nuke.
“First of all, I think it’s a bizarre response, but I also don’t know that that guy speaks for President Putin or for the Russian government,” Vance told ABC News’ “This Week” on Sunday about Medvedev’s chest-thumping. “[Russia has] been very consistent that they don’t want Iran to get a nuclear weapon.”
US and Israeli officials are still assessing the extent of the damage done to Iran’s nuclear capabilities during the Saturday strikes, while Trump has publicly insisted all three facilities were “totally destroyed.”
