In response to the former Russian president’s outlandish claim of preparing to provide nuclear warheads to Iran, President Trump did not hesitate to strike back.
President Trump took to the media platform “Truth Social” on Monday, June 23rd, and declared, “Did I hear ex-Russian President Medvedev blurt out the ‘N-word’ (nuclear weapons) and say that he and other countries are ready to provide Iran with nuclear warheads? Did he really say that, or is it just my imagination? If he indeed said so and it is confirmed, please inform me immediately.”
Medvedev served as the President of Russia from 2008 to 2012 and he was a senior aide to President Putin.
On Sunday, Medvedev posted on Telegram strongly condemning the US strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities. Furthermore, Medvedev claimed that “some countries are ready to directly provide Iran with their nuclear warheads,” without specifying which countries.
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion, Medvedev has been known for making bold and tough statements towards Ukraine and the United States. He served as the Deputy Chairman of the Kremlin Security Council, second only to Putin.
Trump criticized Medvedev’s statement, saying, “The ‘N-word’ shouldn’t be treated so casually. I guess that’s why Putin is called the ‘big boss’.”
He added, “By the way, if anyone thinks our ‘hardware’ over the weekend was awesome, far surpassing others including our nuclear submarines, which are the strongest and best equipment we have, leading 20 years ahead of our rivals. They are the most powerful and deadliest weapons in history, launching 30 ‘Tomahawk’ missiles – all hit the target. So, in addition to our great fighter pilots, thanks to our captains and the entire crew!”
The US deployed seven US Air Force B-2 stealth bombers flying west across the Pacific, each capable of carrying 30,000-pound bunker-buster bombs, powerful enough to penetrate Iran’s critical Fordo nuclear facility mountains.
In coordination, the US Navy submarines from the Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group deployed in the Arabian Sea launched ‘Tomahawk’ cruise missiles.
The swift and precise actions of the US military have already shifted the course of the conflict between Israel and Iran.
According to Business Insider, nuclear weapons analysts suggest that Medvedev’s claim of transferring nuclear warheads is not credible.
Pavel Podvig, Senior Researcher at the UN Institute for Disarmament Research’s WMD Program, stated, “It’s practically impossible because nuclear weapons are not like bombs and not something you can carry in a suitcase.”
A nuclear warhead is a comprehensive system that requires trained personnel for security and maintenance. Podvig further stated that even tactical nuclear weapons with more portability and lesser explosive power require high storage standards.
“Unless you establish a nuclear program in a country or almost establish it, you can’t directly hand over your nuclear weapons to them,” he added.
Moreover, simply transferring nuclear warheads to another country would violate the first clause of the UN Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons signed by Russia and China.
Podvig pointed out that in Europe, the nuclear weapons are safeguarded by the US, and the ones deployed by Russia in Belarus are also under similar custody.
“I think technically, this won’t happen,” Podvig concluded.
Adam Lowther, Co-founder and Vice President of Research at the National Deterrence Research Institute, told Business Insider that from a political standpoint, Medvedev may be referring to the three countries – China, Russia, and North Korea, the only three nations considered adversaries or competitors of the US in terms of nuclear power.
Lowther stated that these three countries are aware that providing nuclear weapons to Iran, even as a deterrent, could potentially lead to intense conflicts with the US and Israel.
He further commented that due to the US and Israel’s focus on preventing Iran from deploying nuclear weapons, if Iran were to obtain nuclear warheads, they may have only two choices: using the nuclear weapon or losing it.
Lowther emphasized that if Iran detonates a gifted nuclear warhead, the US’s “forensic experts” would easily trace fissile material and nuclear design to determine the weapon’s origin.
“In that case, that country will be put on the US’s target list,” Lowther concluded.