In an interview with Fox News Radio that aired on Friday, President Donald Trump suggested that Russian President Vladimir Putin may be providing limited assistance to Iran in its war with the United States and Israel, while simultaneously drawing a parallel to American support for Ukraine. "I think he might be helping them a little bit, yeah, I guess. And he probably thinks we're helping Ukraine, right?" Trump told 'The Brian Kilmeade Show'. The president's comments acknowledge the geopolitical landscape in which both Russia and the United States maintain strategic partnerships with nations engaged in active conflict, while stopping short of alleging direct Russian military involvement against American forces.
Trump's remarks come amid deepening cooperation between Moscow and Tehran, which signed a "Comprehensive Strategic Partnership" agreement prior to the current conflict. Throughout the 14-day war, Russian President Vladimir Putin has positioned himself as an international peacemaker, engaging in multiple telephone conversations with Iranian leaders and maintaining dialogue with the Trump administration. Following a Monday call with Putin, Trump noted the Russian leader's desire to be "helpful" in resolving the Iran situation, though Trump suggested that greater assistance would come through resolving the Ukraine conflict.
The Kremlin has consistently reaffirmed its "unwavering support" for Tehran while stopping short of providing military assistance that would directly engage Russian forces in the conflict. Russian officials have publicly called for "a swift de-escalation and political resolution" of the Iran crisis, even as Moscow benefits economically from the conflict-driven surge in global oil prices. The BBC's Russia editor notes that the recent jump in crude prices provides a much-needed boost to Russian government revenues, helping Moscow continue funding its war effort in Ukraine at a time when oil had dropped below the $59 per barrel level on which Russia's federal budget is based.
During the same interview, Trump issued warnings about impending military action, declaring that the United States would strike Iran "very hard over the next week". He also addressed the critical Strait of Hormuz, through which approximately 20 million barrels of oil passed daily before Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced its closure following the February 28 commencement of US-Israeli strikes. Trump stated that the US would escort vessels through the strategic waterway if needed, though White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt later clarified that "the US Navy has not escorted a tanker or a vessel at this time," while confirming that such action "is an option the president has said he will absolutely utilise if and when necessary".
The president's rhetoric has grown increasingly bellicose as the conflict enters its third week. In a Truth Social post shortly after midnight in Washington, Trump celebrated the killing of Iranian leadership, referring to them as "deranged scumbags" and declaring it a "great honour" to eliminate them. He struck out at media coverage questioning the success of the war, asserting that Iran's military is "being decimated, and their leaders have been wiped from the face of the earth". Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reinforced this message, stating that the US military would bombard Iran more heavily on Friday than any previous day of the conflict, promising "the highest volume of strikes that America has put over the skies of Iran and Tehran".
The war has exacted a devastating toll across the region. According to a daily brief from Xinhua News, Iranian Ambassador to the UN Amir Saeid Iravani reported that more than 1,300 civilians have been killed and 9,669 civilian sites destroyed in Iran since February 28. The Pentagon has confirmed approximately 140 US troops wounded, including eight seriously injured, while Iran-backed groups continue to target American assets throughout the Middle East. In Lebanon, where Hezbollah has joined the conflict in support of Iran, the health ministry reports that Israeli strikes have killed at least 570 people, including 86 children, with 14 healthcare workers among the dead.
The conflict has triggered widespread international concern and economic disruption. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned that "this war must be stopped before it becomes bigger and completely engulfs the region in flames," cautioning that continued fighting would result in greater loss of life and increased costs to the global economy. Oil prices have surged dramatically, with Brent crude jumping 5.1 percent to $92.23 per barrel as markets react to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and ongoing attacks on maritime vessels. The International Energy Agency announced it would release 400 million barrels of oil from member country reserves, the largest such release in history, to ease the impact of the war on global energy markets.
Russia, while maintaining its partnership with Iran, has sought to leverage the crisis for diplomatic and economic gain. The Kremlin has offered to mediate the conflict, viewing the situation as an opportunity to boost its profile in the Gulf and Middle East while presenting itself as a power with influence. Russian media has expressed optimism about the economic benefits, with Komsomolskaya Pravda declaring "Expensive oil is a reason for the West to cancel sanctions". However, some Russian newspapers have criticized Trump's handling of the war, with Moskovsky Komsomolets asserting that "The 'peace president' has simply lost his mind".