Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Why Trump is downplaying reports Russia and China are helping Iran
FOX ^ | August 4, 2026 | Morgan Phillips

Posted on 08/04/2026 7:34:32 AM PDT by Red6

President Donald Trump cast doubt in recent days on allegations that Russia is helping Iran target U.S. forces, even as members of his own administration acknowledge Moscow and Beijing are supporting Tehran in other ways.

Trump dismissed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's claim that Russia supplied Iran with satellite imagery of U.S. military installations in the Gulf, saying any assistance would have been "very unimpactful" given the damage inflicted on Iran's military.

"We’ll find out if that’s true. I’ll ask Putin. We’ll find out," Trump told reporters at the end of July.

(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; Iran; News/Current Events; Ukraine; War
KEYWORDS: bidensfolly; borisbackstabber; china; gunflinger; intel; intelligence; maplesyrup; obviousconsequence; pootinbetrayal; russia; russianhelp; russiasucksdude; russophrenicsonfr; ukrainepayback; whatgoesaround; worldwareleven
Message from Jim Robinson:

Dear FRiends,

We need your continuing support to keep FR funded. Your donations are our sole source of funding. No sugar daddies, no advertisers, no paid memberships, no commercial sales, no gimmicks, no tax subsidies. No spam, no pop-ups, no ad trackers.

If you enjoy using FR and agree it's a worthwhile endeavor, please consider making a contribution today:

Click here: to donate by Credit Card

Or here: to donate by PayPal

Or by mail to: Free Republic, LLC - PO Box 9771 - Fresno, CA 93794

Thank you very much and God bless you,

Jim


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-36 next last
Probably, like with 99% probability true.

Downplay, yes because you don't want to make a bigger deal and create more problems.

But we can't complain: This goes straight back to Ukraine.

We were very proud and bragged about how awesome our Intel is and all the cool things we could do to help Ukraine against Russia, well guess what?

There is no doubt the Ukraine conflict has added a layer of complexity and difficulty for us elsewhere.

I would not doubt that many of these more "targeted" and effective drone and missile strikes were backed with Russian Intel.

They have the IMINT to see where our AWACS, tankers, and even F15s etc. are parked. Iran is crude when it comes to some of that tech but if they know where to fly that drone...

Not counting the toys lost that everyone focuses on in combat.

--We have lost Four (4) aerial tanker so far (minimum). --We lost an AWACS. --We likely had an F15 destroyed (sheltered - taken out by drone).

Unforeseen consequences.

Should not have really been that unforeseen either, we are essentially the hegemon in the Middle East (in the background) and that is what all this with Iran is really about in the "big picture."

Iran wants to literally kick us out and declare themselves in control of that region.

Between Iraq, Iran, Yemen, Syria, Libya, Nigeria... it's not rocket science to realize we're going to be involved in a greater sense sooner or later in a place where we could cross paths with the Russians playing against us in the background.

We average a conflict where we are militarily involved globally (publicly) every 4.6 years and our Center of Gravity became the Middle East and North Africa post Cold War.

It doesn't really matter who the President is, we are engaged across the entire globe, and unless we want crawl into our shell we'll be sucked into conflicts.

It's the price you pay when you want to be a nation engaged in global trade and you need to secure your people, investments/interests, sea and air lanes, resources, etc.

We are today basically like the British Empire was in the past. Only we are not the "overt" colonial power like they were.

1 posted on 08/04/2026 7:34:32 AM PDT by Red6
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Red6

At some point Trump should just blast the hell out of Iran...then leave.

Let those that need that oil deal with it.


2 posted on 08/04/2026 7:36:07 AM PDT by for-q-clinton
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Red6
We are today basically like the British Empire was in the past. Only we are not the "overt" colonial power like they were.

It's overt. We just publicly lie about it, and some people prefer to embrace the lie. It's much like the Emperor's new clothes.

3 posted on 08/04/2026 7:38:56 AM PDT by Gunslingr3
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Red6

<< “We’ll find out if that’s true. I’ll ask Putin. We’ll find out,” Trump told reporters at the end of July. >>

Lol, what a comedian.


4 posted on 08/04/2026 7:42:53 AM PDT by Mr. Mojo
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Red6

Like he downplayed cyber attacks on water supply systems from Georgia to Minnesota and blamed them on incompetent workers in Minnesota and gov. Walsh?

Brilliant.


5 posted on 08/04/2026 7:45:49 AM PDT by Sequoyah101 (Opinions and belly buttons, everybody has one and they get to show them if they want to.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Red6

Wherever evil is, Russia will be there supporting it.

The article is about Red China and Russia, they are allied and China is aiding Russia in its invasion in Europe and training the Russian troops, and Iran assists the invasion while North Korea actually has Army troops fighting in Europe in support.


6 posted on 08/04/2026 7:50:35 AM PDT by ansel12
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Red6

Of course they are helping. But for some reason Trump wants to get along with everyone - including vile scumbags like Erdogan.


7 posted on 08/04/2026 7:53:49 AM PDT by montag813
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: montag813

No one wants to get along with eedogan. Everyone has to, because turkey is too strategically important


8 posted on 08/04/2026 8:04:24 AM PDT by Mount Athos
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: Red6
Trump - and by extension America - is paying for his duplicity.

He provided material support and intel to Ukraine that was used to kill Russians, after calli Putin his friend and repeatedly promising to end the war on "day one." He calls Xi a "friend" too - how's that working out?

Just as he betrayed his voters. Just as he murders heads of state - and their entire families - while pretending to negotiate with them.

Trump's word is worth less than a handful of s**t.

9 posted on 08/04/2026 8:04:28 AM PDT by AAABEST (That time Washington DC became a corrupted, existential threat to us all...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: for-q-clinton
I believe, in the bigger picture, yes that is what it will have to come down to.

You're not going to get a deal with Iran. Not anything which lasts or is real IMHO. Even if trump hammers something out, the Iranians will try to probe and see what they can get away with as soon as he's gone. Realize, government in Iran has been around and very consistent since 1979, while we change course and try a new approach ever 4 or 8 years.

The only way you can fix this is by breaking so much of their $#i!, degrading Iran's economy, infrastructure, security apparatus, command and control as well as civilian government and bureaucracy, that you deny them the ability to be a threat. You reduce them so much that they lack the ability to finance, build, move, communicate, effectively.

Critical is to what degree Russia and China are willing to back Iran. That I do not know.

If Russia and China are only willing to help Iran for what they can pay for, yes we can be effective. That's basically our approach with Ukraine today - albeit we are still providing Ukraine Intel, so if they return that favor in Iran what leg do we really have to stand on?

But if this is a full outright Cold War era proxy conflict, if the Russian are willing to pay us back the same way we did with them in Ukraine in the Biden era (where they are willing to flip the bill because they see Iran as a thorn in our side and weakening us) then no degree of bombing will achieve that end. What's good for the goose is good for the gander and we were very proud of this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3k-R3xo780 Heck, you had folks here in the FR cheering that on!!!

For the next four (4) months, I do not think Trump has a large-scale and protracted air campaign in the stars for him.

If anything big is going to happen, expect that AFTER 3 November: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_United_States_elections

I suspect that is how the stars are aligned and Iran knows this too.

10 posted on 08/04/2026 8:17:45 AM PDT by Red6
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Red6
The only way you can fix this is by breaking so much of their $#i!, degrading Iran's economy, infrastructure, security apparatus, command and control as well as civilian government and bureaucracy, that you deny them the ability to be a threat. You reduce them so much that they lack the ability to finance, build, move, communicate, effectively.

Yep, when the people start starving to death they will rise up, but not until then.

11 posted on 08/04/2026 8:19:43 AM PDT by 1Old Pro
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: Red6

During the Soviet incursion into Afghanistan the CIA was helping the Mujahadeen. The Soviets made it public thinking that would force the CIA to stop. It had the opposite effect. America simply went public with our support, and it made supplying arms tremendously easier and more efficient. I’d imagine the same could happen with China and Russia. Although, Russia probably can’t afford giving much help.


12 posted on 08/04/2026 8:20:26 AM PDT by Gen.Blather (Oh, gosh! I said that out loud. I'm so sorry.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Red6

Destroy Kharg island. Screw the oil prices...Iran won’t have any money for a long while. And when they rebuild it...just bomb it again.


13 posted on 08/04/2026 8:21:04 AM PDT by for-q-clinton
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: for-q-clinton
Destroy Kharg island.

Just do a strifing run and take out a major pipe that they use to load oil and when they fix it a few days later, do it again, and again

14 posted on 08/04/2026 8:23:38 AM PDT by 1Old Pro
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: for-q-clinton

Trump announces negotiations and BOOM! the stock market goes up.

Somebody’s making a killing on all this.


15 posted on 08/04/2026 8:26:48 AM PDT by dfwgator ("I am Charlie Kirk!")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: AAABEST
Trump's word is worth less than a handful of s**t.

I don't think Trump lies. I think he believes it when he says it.

But he's always changing his mind. And whenever he does, he thinks it's legitimate to renegotiate, or to just ignore, whatever he previously promised.

16 posted on 08/04/2026 8:35:20 AM PDT by Angelino97
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: Red6

Doing business with is not helping, not the same.

But, then, most MSM doesn’t have the common sense of a rotten turnip.


17 posted on 08/04/2026 8:36:10 AM PDT by bobbo666
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Red6

We’ve been helping Ukraine kill Russians for four years.


18 posted on 08/04/2026 8:38:55 AM PDT by McGruff
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: dfwgator

Everyone can do it. Next time we go to bomb (or actually bomb them) buy on the dip.


19 posted on 08/04/2026 9:41:22 AM PDT by for-q-clinton
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: Red6

I don’t why Trump denies the possible help from Russia and China to Iran. Iran seems to know the location of many U.S. bases in the middle east. Ballistic missiles that can hit US bases in Jordan. Does Iran have a network of spy satellites or is another country providing Iran the intelligence? I think another country is helping Iran.


20 posted on 08/04/2026 9:54:43 AM PDT by convoter2016 ( )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-36 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson