Brian Kennedy, president of the American Strategy Group, has claimed that Iran’s nuclear program was developed over three decades with scientific and technical support from Russia, China and North Korea.
Speaking during an interview with Fox News on Monday, July 27, 2026, Kennedy discussed reports of growing cooperation between Russia and Iran, as well as concerns that tensions in the Middle East could become linked to the war in Ukraine.
Responding to comments by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that Russia is assisting Iran, Kennedy said the strategic relationship among the countries has evolved over many years and should not surprise the United States.
“The Iranian nuclear program has been developed using Russian scientists, Chinese scientists and North Korean scientists, primarily in North Korea, for the better part of 30 years,” Kennedy said.
He argued that U.S. policymakers have long been aware of the partnership and should continue strengthening the country’s missile defense systems to counter potential ballistic missile threats from Iran, Russia, China and North Korea. Kennedy added that continued coordination among those countries has been anticipated by U.S. officials for years.
