Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev appeared to retreat from provocative nuclear comments Monday after Donald Trump warned that U.S. nuclear capabilities remain unmatched, the New York Post reported.
The exchange came in the wake of U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites and Medvedev's sharp response suggesting other nations might supply Tehran with nuclear arms.
On Saturday, the United States launched targeted strikes on three significant Iranian nuclear facilities. The action was carried out in coordination with Israel as part of an ongoing strategy to deter Iran's nuclear ambitions.
Following the strikes, Medvedev posted on X (formerly Twitter), denouncing the U.S. military action and claiming that Iran's nuclear efforts would continue despite the attacks. He stated bluntly that Iran would pursue nuclear weapon production.
He further claimed that “a number of countries” were prepared to supply Iran with nuclear warheads, a statement that elevated already high tensions and drew widespread condemnation.
President Trump responded Monday on his Truth Social platform, expressing shock and disbelief. He questioned whether Medvedev truly made those remarks and implied such talk of nuclear warfare should never be treated lightly.
Trump used the opportunity to showcase American military strength, emphasizing the role of nuclear submarines in the recent operations. He revealed that 30 Tomahawk missiles were launched and all hit their targets with precision.
He called the submarines “the most powerful and lethal weapons ever built” and thanked both the pilots and the submarine crews for their flawless execution during the strikes.
In a follow-up message, Medvedev appeared to walk back some of his earlier remarks. While reaffirming his criticism of the U.S. action against Iran, he clarified that Russia had no intention to arm Iran with nuclear weapons due to its obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
While distancing Russia from the threat, Medvedev warned that other countries might still take such actions. He advised caution and discouraged nuclear one-upmanship, referencing his prior experience overseeing Russia's nuclear forces.
Vice President JD Vance addressed Medvedev's remarks during an interview on ABC News, calling them “bizarre” and casting doubt on whether they reflected official Russian policy. He questioned whether Medvedev’s statements had any connection to President Vladimir Putin's intentions.
Vance noted that Russia has historically opposed a nuclear-armed Iran, making Medvedev's comments even more difficult to interpret. He suggested the remarks might represent a personal opinion rather than Kremlin strategy.
Iran and Russia have grown closer in recent years, especially in military technology cooperation. Iran's provision of drones for use in Russia’s war against Ukraine has deepened its strategic ties, drawing concern from allies in the West.
As global leaders monitor the aftermath of the strikes and the diplomatic fallout from Medvedev's statements, attention remains focused on whether similar threats will emerge again. The episode highlights the ongoing risks of escalation in nuclear-related conflicts.
With both rhetoric and military action intensifying, experts warn that future missteps could quickly destabilize already fragile regional dynamics. For now, both reassurances and warnings continue to shape the international response.
