Russian newspapers slammed former U.S. President Donald Trump as the “President of War” after American forces launched major airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities over the weekend. The operation, reportedly involving 30,000-pound “bunker buster” bombs, marked a significant military escalation aimed at halting what Trump called “the nuclear threat posed by the world’s No. 1 state sponsor of terror.”
Why It Matters
The strikes—carried out at sites in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan—are a major escalation in the already volatile Middle East. The U.S. action, reportedly involving over 125 military aircraft in what was dubbed Operation Midnight Hammer, comes as Israel and Iran trade deadly missile attacks. Hundreds have been killed on both sides.
The U.S. intervention may reshape the region’s future, test global alliances, and raise concerns about nuclear nonproliferation. American lawmakers and protesters have warned this could spiral into the third major U.S. war in the Middle East since 2001.
Russian Reaction
Russian President Vladimir Putin condemned the strikes as “unprovoked aggression.” During a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Putin said the U.S. had “no basis or justification” for the attack and vowed to support the Iranian people.
Russia’s media echoed those sentiments loudly:
- Nezavisimaya Gazeta declared: “Trump has become the President of War,” accusing him of abandoning his promise to keep the U.S. out of foreign entanglements. The paper warned this shift could also affect Russia’s hopes for peace talks in Ukraine.
- Rossiskaya Gazeta, a state-run outlet, mocked Trump’s slogan with the headline: “Trump Makes America Wage War Again.”
- Komsomolskaya Pravda raised fears about regime change in Iran, quoting a regional expert who warned that instability could spread into Central Asia and the South Caucasus—areas vital to Russian security.
- Moskovsky Komsomolets focused on potential economic fallout, asking whether the airstrikes could drive oil prices to $200 per barrel if Iran retaliates by closing the critical Strait of Hormuz, which handles over 25% of the world’s oil trade.
- Kommersant, a respected independent publication, ran the headline: “The U.S. attacks Iran to ‘end the war’…”, casting doubt on the administration’s narrative.
Trump’s Message
Despite Vice President JD Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth insisting the U.S. is not pursuing regime change in Iran, Trump hinted otherwise on his Truth Social platform:
“It’s not politically correct to use the term, ‘Regime Change,’ but if the current Iranian Regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldn’t there be a Regime change??? MIGA!!!”
Kremlin Position
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters that while Russia maintains a strategic partnership with Iran, the strikes would not necessarily derail its ongoing efforts to rebuild relations with the United States.
“We are working on both fronts,” Peskov said. “One does not interfere with the other, though the regional situation clearly affects global dialogue.”
What’s Next
Iran has pledged to retaliate but has not detailed how or when. Trump claimed the strikes were “hard and accurate” and said they “obliterated” Iran’s nuclear capabilities.
The long-term consequences—military, diplomatic, and economic—remain unclear. But with tensions rising and criticism mounting, this moment may prove to be a defining test of U.S. foreign policy in the Trump era and beyond.
