On June 24, 2025, Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev responded to criticism from US President Donald Trump over his statement about the possible supply of nuclear weapons to Iran by other countries following US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. In his post on the X platform, Medvedev condemned the US strikes on Iran, calling them ineffective, but stressed that Russia does not intend to transfer nuclear weapons to Tehran, citing obligations under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).

"I know very well where this can lead, because I was in charge of our nuclear forces as president. But other countries can - and that's what I was talking about," — Medvedev wrote, adding that arguing about the number of nuclear warheads is inappropriate, especially given the effect of the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START), which he signed with the United States in 2010.

"The question is, what happens next?" - he concluded.

The context for Medvedev's statement was Trump's post on Truth Social, where he expressed concern about Medvedev's words about the possible transfer of nuclear warheads to Iran, calling it a "careless use of the N-word." Trump demanded an "immediate report" if the information is confirmed, and praised the American nuclear submarines that participated in the strikes on Iran, calling them "the most powerful weapons in the world." Medvedev, in turn, clarified that Russia, unlike Israel, which has not signed the NPT, adheres to international obligations, but did not rule out that other states could take such a step.

The June 22 U.S. strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, as part of Operation Midnight Hammer, have caused widespread controversy. According to CNN, the attack involved B-2 bombers that dropped 14 GBU-57 bunker buster bombs and submarines that fired more than 30 Tomahawk missiles. Satellite images from Maxar Technologies showed extensive damage, including huge craters at Fordow, although Iran claims to have evacuated its uranium stockpile. Bloomberg reported that the U.S. avoided striking research reactors in Isfahan, including a 1991 Chinese mini-reactor, to prevent a radiation disaster.

Iran responded on June 23 by launching 14 missiles at the al-Udeid air base in Qatar and one at a base in Iraq as part of Operation Basharat al-Fatah. Trump called the attack “weak,” noting that 13 of the missiles were intercepted and one was not a threat. He thanked Iran for the warning that prevented casualties and called for peace. Qatar confirmed the successful interception of the missiles and condemned Iran, reserving the right to respond.