Did Russia Help Iran Target US Bases? Trump Says He'll Ask Putin

Washington: US President Donald Trump has said he will directly ask Russian President Vladimir Putin whether Moscow is helping Iran target American military bases in the Middle East. This statement comes after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy alleged that Russia is using satellites to monitor Gulf countries and US military bases there and transmitting images to Iran.

What did Donald Trump say?

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Donald Trump said, "I'll ask Putin about it. We'll find out." However, he downplayed the impact of this alleged aid, saying it hadn't had much impact because the US had severely damaged Iran's military capabilities.

"It hasn't had much impact because we've knocked the hell out of" Iran, he said.

What did Zelenskyy say?

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy claimed on the social media platform X that Kyiv has evidence that Russia has been actively monitoring Gulf countries and US military bases there since early July. According to him, these images led to attacks on the relevant bases by Iran.

Zelenskyy said there was a clear link between Russian satellite surveillance and the Iranian attacks. He said satellite imagery was used to prepare for the attacks and to assess the damage afterward.

"These images subsequently appear in Iran. At the same time, there is a clear correlation between Russia's satellite imagery of these sites and Iranian strikes — both before the attacks, in preparation for them, and afterward, to assess the damage inflicted," he wrote.

He cited examples such as the fact that on July 19 and 20, Russian satellites focused on four military airbases: two in Bahrain, one in Jordan, and one in Kuwait. According to Zelensky, these bases later became part of Iran's military plans.

"The purpose is clear. None of us in the world should turn a blind eye to one very simple fact: evil always seeks ways to make things worse and spread further. Russia must be stopped. This war must be stopped. Pressure on the aggressor must work," Zelenskyy said.

Zelensky said that the world should not ignore this issue and there is a need to increase pressure on Russia.

What did the US President say?

Amid accusations against Russia, Trump indicated that the US's immediate priority was dialogue and a diplomatic solution with Iran. He cited the temporary halt in the recent military campaign, saying Iran had requested the US to resume talks.

Trump said, "They told us very politely, 'Please wait, let's talk together.'" He said that if a deal isn't reached, the US could resume similar military action.