Here’s what Haley had to say.
Former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley is calling on President Donald Trump to take a much tougher approach toward two of America’s biggest geopolitical rivals: China and Russia.
During a recent television appearance, Haley argued that the United States should not focus solely on Iran. Instead, she said the Trump administration should increase pressure on the countries she believes are helping keep the Iranian regime afloat.
Her comments come as tensions remain elevated in the Middle East and as the White House continues pushing for a long-term solution to Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
According to Haley, targeting Iran alone may not be enough.
She argued that Russia and China have played a significant role in supporting Tehran and should face serious consequences if that support continues.
“I think President Trump was absolutely right to respond,” Haley said. “But we also have to address the countries that continue helping Iran behind the scenes.”
Haley specifically pointed to Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying both leaders should hear directly from Trump.
She suggested the president make it clear that continued support for Iran could damage relations with the United States and lead to additional consequences.
The former South Carolina governor has long been one of the Republican Party’s strongest foreign policy voices. During her time at the United Nations, Haley frequently pushed for a harder line against adversaries of the United States and America’s allies.
Now, she believes the same strategy should be applied to Iran’s international partners.
“If China and Russia stop providing assistance, Iran becomes much weaker,” Haley argued.
Her comments arrive at a critical moment as negotiations surrounding Iran’s nuclear program continue to face major obstacles.
President Trump recently expressed frustration with the pace of discussions and renewed calls for Iranian leaders to reach an agreement that would permanently prevent the country from obtaining nuclear weapons.
Iranian officials, however, have signaled they are unwilling to accept outside pressure and have continued defending their position.
Haley remains deeply skeptical of Tehran’s intentions.
She argued that Iranian leaders have used delaying tactics for years, creating the appearance of progress while continuing to pursue their long-term objectives.
“The reality is they’ve done this before,” Haley said. “They stall. They delay. And while everyone waits for a breakthrough, they’re preparing their next move.”
That skepticism is shared by many national security experts who have questioned whether Iran is genuinely interested in reaching a lasting agreement.
Despite the ongoing tensions, Haley praised both the United States and Israel for what she described as significant progress in weakening Iran’s influence throughout the region.
She said recent actions have put Tehran under greater pressure than it has faced in years.
Still, Haley believes more work remains.
In her view, the next phase of America’s strategy should focus on holding Iran’s most powerful supporters accountable.
Her message to President Trump was clear: confronting Iran is important, but confronting the nations that enable Iran could prove even more effective.
As debates continue over U.S. foreign policy, Haley’s remarks highlight a growing belief among many conservatives that lasting results will require pressure not only on America’s adversaries, but also on the governments that help sustain them.
With tensions showing few signs of easing, the question now is whether the Trump administration will expand its strategy beyond Tehran and place greater focus on Beijing and Moscow as well.
