Trump and Putin Align on Preventing Iranian Nuclear Weapons, Despite Sanction Discrepancies
A recent phone call between former President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin revealed a shared concern: preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. This alignment occurs even as Russia actively urges the United States to ease sanctions on Iran, highlighting a complex and potentially contradictory dynamic in international relations.
According to the White House, Trump and Putin discussed the necessity of ensuring that Iran does not obtain nuclear weapons capable of threatening Israel. The two leaders broadly addressed the Middle East, identifying it as a region ripe for potential cooperation in preventing future conflicts. The White House statement emphasized their shared commitment to stopping the proliferation of strategic weapons, with plans to engage with other nations to ensure widespread adherence to this goal. A core tenet of their discussion was the conviction that Iran should never possess the capability to destroy Israel.
This shared stance stands in contrast to Russia’s recent actions regarding Iran and the existing U.S. sanctions regime. While both Trump and Putin agree on the need to prevent Iranian nuclear armament, Russia has been actively advocating for the United States to lift its sanctions on Iran, which have severely crippled the Iranian economy.
Just days prior to the Trump-Putin call, representatives from Russia met with their Chinese and Iranian counterparts in Beijing. During this meeting, Russian officials pressed the United States to withdraw what they deemed "unlawful" sanctions and resume nuclear discussions with Iran. China’s Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu, speaking on behalf of the three nations, emphasized that political and diplomatic engagement and dialogue, based on mutual respect, are the only viable and practical avenues forward.
This push for sanctions relief contrasts sharply with Trump’s previous "maximum pressure" campaign against Iran, which he reinstated earlier this year. This campaign involved sanctions targeting Iran’s oil exports, aiming to cripple the country’s financial resources and force Tehran back to the negotiating table regarding its nuclear program.
The seemingly paradoxical situation – Russia and the U.S. agreeing on the ultimate goal of preventing Iranian nuclear weapons, while disagreeing on the methods to achieve it – underscores the complex geopolitical landscape involving these nations and Iran.
Russia’s relationship with Iran has been deepening, particularly in the context of the war in Ukraine. Russia has increasingly relied on Iranian-made drones in its conflict against Ukraine. The Washington Institute for Near East Policy reported that Russia began using Shahed-131 and Shahed-136 series drones, manufactured by Iran, in 2022 to target Ukrainian artillery positions and critical infrastructure, specifically targeting electricity distribution grids.
The Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) further substantiated this connection in a 2023 report, detailing how Iran provided Russia with access to hundreds of one-way attack air drones. Although Iran has consistently denied that the drones originated from Tehran, the DIA claims to have obtained debris from attacks within Ukraine that unequivocally demonstrate Iran’s support to Russia.
During his time in office, Trump has voiced concerns about Iran’s nuclear ambitions. In February, he stated his belief that Iran was nearing the development of a nuclear weapon. He also revealed that he had sent a letter to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, urging Tehran to engage in a nuclear agreement. He cautioned that failure to do so could result in military intervention.
"I would rather negotiate a deal," Trump said in a Fox Business interview in March. "I’m not sure that everybody agrees with me, but we can make a deal that would be just as good as if you won militarily." He added, "Something is going to happen one way or the other. I hope that Iran, and I’ve written them a letter saying I hope you’re going to negotiate, because if we have to go in militarily, it’s going to be a terrible thing for them."
Trump’s approach appears to blend the threat of military action with the possibility of a negotiated solution. He emphasizes the potential consequences of military intervention for Iran, while simultaneously holding out the possibility of a deal that could be as beneficial as a military victory. This strategy, coupled with his "maximum pressure" campaign, aims to exert maximum leverage over Iran to achieve a desired outcome.
The situation surrounding Iran’s nuclear program remains highly volatile and politically charged. The varying stances of major players like the U.S., Russia, and China, along with Iran’s own ambitions and regional dynamics, create a complex web of competing interests. The alignment between Trump and Putin on the ultimate goal of preventing Iranian nuclear weapons provides a potential foundation for cooperation, but the disagreements over sanctions and the broader geopolitical context could pose significant obstacles to achieving that shared objective. The future of Iran’s nuclear program and the stability of the Middle East hinge on how these tensions are navigated in the coming months and years.
