President Donald Trump delivered a pointed response to Russian President Vladimir Putin, rejecting an offer of assistance on Iran with a five-word swipe.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One en route to the Netherlands for a NATO summit in The Hague, Trump said he had recently spoken with Putin by phone, The Mirror reports.
During the conversation, the Russian leader offered to help mediate the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran. Trump, however, dismissed the gesture, saying his concerns lay more with Russia than with Iran.
The comments came in response to a journalist’s question about whether Trump would support strong language condemning Russian aggression in the final NATO summit declaration.
Trump did not commit to the language but emphasized that he is open to diplomatic engagement.
“I said, ‘I don’t need help with Iran. I need help with you,’” Trump told reporters. “I’d like to see a deal with Russia.”
The remarks followed a weekend of heightened international tension after the United States launched targeted airstrikes on three nuclear sites in Iran.
Under Trump’s directive, American B-2 stealth bombers struck key facilities in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan.
The strikes, which took place overnight from Saturday into Sunday, marked a significant escalation in the ongoing confrontation between Iran and the West. Trump later declared that the targeted nuclear facilities had been “completely and fully obliterated.”
In response, Russia’s foreign ministry issued a sharp condemnation of the U.S. action, calling it “irresponsible” and warning of dire consequences.
“The consequences of this action, including radiological ones, have yet to be assessed,” the ministry said in a statement, via The Moscow Times. “But it is already obvious that a dangerous escalation has begun, fraught with further undermining of regional and global security.”
Iran responded to the U.S. strikes on Monday by launching an attack on the American Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, a key hub for U.S. operations in the Middle East.
The retaliation prompted Trump to call for a ceasefire, stating that the U.S. is not seeking regime change in Tehran.
“We want peace and stability,” Trump said, adding that he believes Iran has the potential to become “a great trading nation,” citing its vast oil resources.
Trump landed in Amsterdam just after 7PM local time and is scheduled to attend a series of events, including a formal dinner with NATO leaders and a meeting with Dutch King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima.
Also attending the NATO summit is Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who is expected to press Western allies for increased military aid in Ukraine’s ongoing defense against Russia.
The war, now in its fourth year, has claimed over 12,000 civilian lives, according to United Nations figures.
Ukraine has also launched drone attacks deep into Russian territory in recent weeks, with reports of strikes hitting residential areas.
Trump confirmed that he plans to meet with Zelensky during the summit to discuss further U.S. support.