Trump and Putin Discuss Israel-Iran Conflict on President's Birthday Call
A Significant Birthday Call
On Saturday, US President Donald Trump disclosed that he received a birthday call from Russian President Vladimir Putin, during which they discussed the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran. Both leaders expressed their desire for the war to come to an end. This conversation took place just before Trump was set to celebrate his 79th birthday at a military parade in Washington DC, commemorating the 250th anniversary of the US Army.
Details of the Conversation
Trump shared on his social media platform, Truth Social, that Putin called him to extend birthday wishes and to discuss Iran, a nation with which Putin is quite familiar. The call lasted about an hour and primarily revolved around the rising tensions between Israel and Iran. Trump noted that Putin is knowledgeable about Iranian matters and conveyed his concerns regarding the conflict.
Concerns Over Regional Stability
During the call, Trump remarked, "The call lasted approximately 1 hour. He feels, as do I, this war in Israel-Iran should end, to which I explained, his war should also end." He described the situation in the region as "very alarming" and urged Putin to conclude Russia's involvement in Ukraine. Trump indicated that they spent less time discussing the Ukraine conflict during this call, suggesting that it would be a topic for their next discussion.
Potential Prisoner Exchange
The leaders also explored the possibility of a prisoner swap, with significant numbers of prisoners being exchanged from both sides. Trump mentioned, "We talked at length. Much less time was spent talking about Russia/Ukraine, but that will be for next week. He is doing the planned prisoner swaps – large numbers of prisoners are being exchanged, immediately, from both sides."
Shifts in US-Russia Relations
While the majority of their discussion focused on the Middle East, Trump did bring up the Ukraine situation, indicating they would delve deeper into it next week. Putin reportedly updated Trump on his recent discussions with Iranian and Israeli leaders, reiterating Russia's proposals for acceptable solutions regarding Iran's nuclear ambitions. This call marked the fifth interaction between the two leaders since Trump assumed office, indicating a notable shift in US policy towards Russia, contrasting sharply with the approach of his predecessor, Joe Biden.
Biden vs. Trump on Russia
While Biden sought global support to denounce Russia's invasion in 2022, Trump has maintained a cordial relationship with Putin, often commending his strategic insights. Trump's approach has drawn criticism, particularly for his inclination to blame both Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for the ongoing conflict.
Criticism of Zelenskyy
Trump has openly criticized Zelenskyy’s management of the war, even labeling him a "dictator" due to postponed elections in Ukraine. Meanwhile, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov confirmed the call, stating, "Vladimir Putin condemned Israel's military operation against Iran and expressed serious concern about a possible escalation of the conflict, which would have unpredictable consequences for the entire situation in the Middle East."
Escalating Tensions in the Middle East
According to Ushakov, Trump characterized the events in the Middle East as "very alarming." The two leaders also indicated they do not dismiss the possibility of returning to negotiations regarding Iran's nuclear program. Recently, Israel conducted a significant strike on Iranian territory, targeting nuclear facilities, which prompted Iran to launch retaliatory missile strikes against Israel.
Ongoing Military Operations
Reports indicate that projectiles were observed in the skies over Jerusalem as Iran and Israel exchanged missile fire. The Israeli military confirmed that they have been conducting a series of strikes targeting various locations in Iran. An Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson stated that their operations have been ongoing for nearly 40 hours, focusing on over 150 strategic objectives.
Iran's Response
Air defenses were activated in several Iranian cities, including Tehran, Isfahan, and Mashhad, as reported by Iran's state media. Additionally, Iranian outlets released videos claiming to show air defenses intercepting projectiles. Iran has reportedly launched a new wave of missiles and drones towards Israel, according to state media.