Trump Rebukes Medvedev Over Nuclear Comments Amid Rising US-Iran-Russia Tensions
US President Donald Trump criticized senior Russian official Dmitry Medvedev on Monday over remarks suggesting that some countries could supply Iran with nuclear warheads, following US airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.
Medvedev, who served as Russia’s president from 2008 to 2012 and now holds the role of deputy chairman of the Russian Security Council, made the controversial claim on social media. He stated that nuclear weapons development in Iran would proceed and that “a number of countries are ready to directly supply Iran with their own nuclear warheads.”
Trump responded via his Truth Social platform, questioning whether Medvedev was “casually throwing around the ‘N word’ (Nuclear!)” and warning against such rhetoric.
“The ‘N word’ should not be treated so casually,” he said, adding that if the comments were accurate, he wanted confirmation “IMMEDIATELY.”
The comments come amid a highly volatile moment in the Middle East, as Iran threatens retaliation for the US bombing of three of its nuclear sites — including the Fordow and Natanz enrichment facilities. The strikes were described by the White House as targeted efforts to curtail Iran’s ability to pursue a nuclear weapon. Tehran denies any such intention and insists its nuclear program is civilian in nature.
Trump defended the military operation, noting that all 30 Tomahawk missiles launched from US submarines “hit their mark perfectly.” He also emphasized the continued power of the American nuclear deterrent, writing:
“They are the most powerful and lethal weapons ever built.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin has condemned the US strikes as an “unprovoked act of aggression” and expressed solidarity with Tehran. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi would meet Putin to discuss the fallout and share Iran’s perspective.
In his post, Medvedev accused Trump of pushing the US into “another war” and criticized the former president’s earlier promises to bring peace to the Middle East. He also mocked Trump’s past Nobel Peace Prize ambitions.
Trump appeared to respond in kind, alluding to Medvedev’s diminished political stature, saying:
“I guess that’s why Putin’s ‘THE BOSS.'”
The potential for nuclear proliferation and escalating regional conflict has raised alarm among US lawmakers. Representative Ro Khanna, a Democrat from California, criticized the strikes, arguing that they risk broader conflict and should have required congressional approval.
“Dragging the US into another Middle East war is not the solution,” Khanna said, urging Congress to reconvene and pass a bipartisan War Powers Resolution to restrain further military action.
Meanwhile, Iran has reportedly asked Russia for increased support, including military and diplomatic backing. Moscow’s response remains under close watch, especially amid concerns that deepening ties between Iran and Russia could complicate Western diplomatic efforts.
