Putin speaks to Trump, condemns Israel’s strikes on Iran, Kremlin says
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Putin speaks to Trump, condemns Israel’s strikes on Iran, Kremlin says
Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke to U.S. President Donald Trump for 50 minutes on Saturday. Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said Putin condemned the Israeli military operation against Iran and expressed concern about the risks of escalation. Trump described events in the Middle East as “very alarming” The two leaders said they do not rule out a return to the negotiating track on Iran’s nuclear programme, a Kremlin aide said. The latest round of talks with Iranian representatives, scheduled for Sunday in Oman, has been cancelled, the aide said, adding that Russia stands by its offer to help with the talks. The two presidents expressed satisfaction at their personal relations which have allowed for them to speak in a business-like manner.
Summary Kremlin aide Ushakov says Putin condemned Israeli action
Ushakov also says Russia’s offer stands to help with talks
Trump says hostilities should end, as should Ukraine war
MOSCOW, June 14 (Reuters) – Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke to U.S. President Donald Trump for 50 minutes on Saturday, focusing on hostilities between Israel and Iran and calling for efforts to bring them to an end.
Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said Putin condemned the Israeli military operation against Iran and expressed concern about the risks of escalation.
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Trump, in his account on Truth Social, said most of the discussion centered on the Middle East, but that he also told Putin that Russia’s war in Ukraine should end.
“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,” Ushakov told reporters.
Ushakov said Trump described events in the Middle East as “very alarming”. But the two leaders said they do not rule out a return to the negotiating track on Iran’s nuclear programme, Ushakov said.
Ushakov said U.S. negotiators were ready to hold further talks with Iranian representatives, with Oman as mediator. The latest round, scheduled for Sunday in Oman, has been cancelled.
The Kremlin aide said Putin told Trump that Russia stood by proposals to ease tension and resolve issues concerning Iran’s nuclear programme.
“The Russian president recalled that prior to the current rise in tension our side had proposed concrete steps intended to find mutually acceptable agreements during talks between U.S. and Iranian representatives about the Iranian nuclear programme,” Ushakov said.
“Russia’s principled approach and interest in a resolution is unchanged and, as Vladimir Putin noted, we will continue to act based on this.”
Trump’s account of the conversation included what amounted to his first explicit appeal for the hostilities to end.
“The call lasted approximately 1 hour,” Trump wrote. “He feels, as do I, this war in Israel-Iran should end, to which I explained, his war should also end.”
Trump said he and Putin mostly discussed the Middle East and spent “much less time” talking about the war in Ukraine. Trump hinted at follow-up discussions on the war in Ukraine in the coming week.
On Ukraine, Ushakov said Putin told the U.S. leader that Russia was ready to continue negotiations with the Ukrainians after June 22, according to state news agency RIA.
Ushakov also said that the presidents expressed satisfaction “at their personal relations which have allowed for them to speak in a business-like manner to seek solutions to issues that are bilateral or on the international agenda, however complex those issues might be”.
Putin also congratulated Trump on his 79th birthday.
Reporting by Reuters; Writing by Lucy Papachristou and Ron Popeski; editing by Diane Craft, Nick Zieminski and Deepa Babington
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World leaders weigh in on ‘alarming’ Israel-Iran conflict
World leaders and senior officials have called on both Israel and Iran to walk back from the brink of all-out war as the bitter enemies traded intense attacks for a second day. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed on Saturday that Israel’s strikes on Iranian infrastructure had set its nuclear programme back years, without providing evidence. “We will hit every site and every target of the Ayatollahs’ regime, and what they have felt so far is nothing compared with what they will be handed in the coming days,” he said in a video message. ‘He feels, as do I, this war in Israel-Iran should end, to which I explained, his war should also end,’ Trump wrote in a social media post. � “He sees nuclear negotiations as the only way to resolve the conflict”, Erdogan told Trump in a phone call that he sees nuclear negotiate as a “only way’ to resolve conflict. ” “The issue of Iran�s nuclear programme “can only be resolved through negotiations”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed on Saturday that Israel’s strikes on Iranian infrastructure had set its nuclear programme back years, without providing evidence, but rejected global calls for restraint.
“We will hit every site and every target of the Ayatollahs’ regime, and what they have felt so far is nothing compared with what they will be handed in the coming days,” he said in a video message.
During its surprise attack on Friday, the Israeli army targeted more than 200 military and nuclear sites, killing top Iranian army commanders, scientists and other senior officials.
Iran strong retaliation penetrated Israel’s lauded missile defence on Friday night and overnight into Saturday, with air raid sirens sounding across Israel. At least four people were killed, with the Israeli military saying Iran had fired about 200 ballistic missiles in four waves.
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Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian warned on Saturday of a “more severe and powerful response” if Israel continued to strike.
In light of the escalation, world leaders have spoken to Iranian and Israeli top officials, fearing a possible regional war.
Here is what some countries have said:
US/Russia
The United States President Donald Trump says he spoke to his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin about the conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine. “He feels, as do I, this war in Israel-Iran should end, to which I explained, his war should also end,” Trump wrote in a social media post.
Earlier, top Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov told reporters Putin spoke to Trump and condemned Israel’s attacks on Iran. Putin “expressed serious concern about a possible escalation of the conflict, which would have unpredictable consequences for the entire situation in the Middle East”, Ushakov said,
According to Ushakov, Trump described the current events in the Middle East as “very alarming”.
The two leaders did not rule out a return to the negotiating meetings on Iran’s nuclear programme, Ushakov said.
Turkiye
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told the Iranian president that Israel was looking to “drag the whole region into the fire,” according to a statement from the Turkish presidency. Erdogan also told Pezeshkian that Israel’s attacks aimed to divert attention from the genocide in Gaza.
Erdogan told Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman that Israel needed “to be stopped”, calling it “the main threat to stability and security in the region”. The issue of Iran’s nuclear programme “can only be resolved through negotiations”, he added. The Turkish leader also spoke with Jordan’s King Abdullah II and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.
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Similarly, Erdogan told Trump in a phone call that he sees nuclear negotiations as the only way to resolve the conflict.
Erdogan told Trump that Turkiye supports Washington’s view that nuclear negotiations should continue to resolve the fighting and that Ankara is ready to help prevent an uncontrolled escalation, a statement by his office said.
China
Foreign Minister Wang Yi spoke to his Iranian and Israeli counterparts and made clear Beijing’s support for Tehran.
Wang told Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi that Beijing “supports Iran in safeguarding its national sovereignty, defending its legitimate rights and interests, and ensuring the safety of its people”, according to a statement by the foreign ministry.
Wang told Araghchi that Israel’s actions “seriously violate … the basic norms governing international relations”, adding attacks on nuclear facilities “have set a dangerous precedent with potentially catastrophic consequences”.
During his conversation with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, Wang expressed that its attack on Iran was “unacceptable”.
“Diplomatic means for the Iranian nuclear issue have not been exhausted, and there is still hope for a peaceful solution. Force cannot bring lasting peace,” Wang said, adding that Beijing was willing to play a role in de-escalating the conflict.
Qatar
Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani also spoke with Pezeshkian and reiterated Qatar’s strong condemnation and denunciation of the Israeli attack targeting the territory of Iran, considering it a “blatant violation of Iran’s sovereignty and security, and a clear breach of the rules and principles of international law”.
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The Qatari leader also called for a diplomatic solution to reach a lasting and comprehensive peace in the region.
Saudi Arabia
Pezeshkian has held a phone call with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, IRNA reports. The Saudi State news agency confirmed the call.
“Since taking office as president, I have sought to strengthen peace, stability and security in the region, but the Zionist regime has disrupted and sabotaged every area where we wanted to achieve something,” Pezeshkian was quoted as saying.
The Saudi crown prince said, “the Kingdom condemns ongoing attacks that undermine Iran’s sovereignty and security. ”
Ties between Riyadh and Tehran have improved significantly since the two countries agreed to restore diplomatic relations in 2023 after years of animosity.
United Kingdom
The British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Saturday that the UK is moving military assets, including fighter jets, to the Middle East for contingency support across the region.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy said he was “alarmed” by the overnight strikes “with reports of fatalities and injuries in Israel”. “We must urgently de-escalate & prevent any further harm to civilians,” Lammy said on X, adding that he had spoken to his Iranian counterpart “to urge calm”.
Germany
Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul spoke to his Saudi Arabian counterpart, Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, and warned that the risk of “further escalation is real.” “Iran’s nuclear program threatens not only Israel, but also Saudi Arabia and the broader stability of the region. The countries here share a clear goal: to prevent nuclear proliferation. Germany is firmly committed to de-escalation,” he wrote on X.
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France
President Emmanuel Macron said he spoke to his Iranian counterpart and called for French “diplomatic facilities and nationals in Iran and the wider region not to be targeted under any circumstances”. “I also urged the utmost restraint to avoid escalation. Iran’s nuclear program is a serious concern and must be resolved through negotiation,” Macron wrote on X.
“I therefore invited President [Masoud] Pezeshkian to return swiftly to the negotiating table to reach an agreement — the only viable path to de-escalation … We stand ready to contribute and to mobilise all our efforts to achieve that goal,” he added.
Vatican
Pope Leo XIV called on Israel and Iran to show responsibility and reason.
“The situation in Iran and Israel has seriously deteriorated at such a delicate moment. I wish to forcefully renew an appeal for responsibility and reason,” the pope said in a statement. “The commitment to build a safer world free from the nuclear threat must be pursued through a respectful meeting and sincere dialogue,” he said.
“No one should ever threaten the existence of the other,” he added.
Trump says ‘war in Israel-Iran should end’
The president of the U.S. and the leader of Israel spoke by phone. They discussed the situation in the Middle East. They also discussed the future of the Iran nuclear program. The president said he was concerned about Iran’s nuclear program, which is under review by the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Reuters
“Vladimir Putin condemned Israel’s military operation against Iran and expressed serious concern about a possible escalation of the conflict,” a Kremlin aide told reporters.
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke for about an hour by phone on June 14, touching on the Israeli military operation against Iran and expressing concern about the risks of escalation, according to statements from Trump and the Kremlin.
“He feels, as do I, this war in Israel-Iran should end, to which I explained, his war should also end,” Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social.
Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov confirmed the call between the world leaders, telling reporters, “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.”
According to Ushakov, Trump described events in the Middle East as “very alarming.” The two leaders also said they do not rule out a return to the negotiating track on Iran’s nuclear program, Ushakov said.
On Ukraine, Putin told Trump that Russia was ready to continue negotiations with the Ukrainians after June 22, according to state news agency RIA.
Trump reiterated his interest in a speedy resolution to the conflict, the Kremlin aide said.
Putin also congratulated Trump on his 79th birthday.
Japan and US trade negotiators spoke again on Saturday, Japan gov’t says
Japan’s top tariff negotiator, Ryosei Akazawa, and U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick spoke by phone for 30 minutes on Saturday. The two sides “explored the possibility of reaching an agreement that would benefit” both countries. Japan has been hoping to clinch a deal at the Group of Seven leaders’ summit that begins on Sunday in Canada.
June 14 (Reuters) – Japan’s top tariff negotiator, Ryosei Akazawa, and U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick spoke by phone for 30 minutes on Saturday and explored the possibility of a trade deal, the Japanese government said in a statement.
Akazawa held separate in-person meetings on Friday with both Lutnick and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent — meetings that Akazawa had described to media on Friday as very detailed and an advance towards a potential trade agreement
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Using similar language, the Japanese government statement described Saturday’s discussion between Akazawa and Lutnick as “very in-depth” and said the two sides “explored the possibility of reaching an agreement that would benefit” both countries.
The statement said the negotiations occurred “with an eye towards” the planned meeting between Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and U.S. President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the Group of Seven leaders’ summit that begins on Sunday in Canada.
Japan has been hoping to clinch a deal at the summit.
Japan faces a 24% tariff rate starting in July unless it can negotiate a deal with the U.S. It is also scrambling to find ways to get Washington to exempt its automakers from 25% tariffs on automobiles, Japan’s biggest industry.
reporting by Nathan Layne in New York Editing by Nick Zieminski and Franklin Paul
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Putin slams Israeli strikes on Iran in call with Trump, warns of ‘unpredictable’ fallout in West Asia
Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke to US President Donald Trump for 50 minutes on Saturday. Putin condemned the Israeli military operation against Iran and expressed concern about the risks of escalation. Both leaders agreed that the possibility of resuming negotiations over Iran’s nuclear programme should not be ruled out. Israel on Saturday threatened to strike “every target of the ayatollah regime’ in Iran, whose president warned of a severe response if the Israeli attacks continue. The threats came as the two longtime foes exchanged fire a day after Israel unleashed an unprecedented aerial bombing campaign.
Russian President Vladimir Putin held a 50-minute phone conversation with US President Donald Trump on Saturday during which he sharply criticised Israel’s recent military action against Iran and warned of the potential for dangerous escalation in West Asia, according to the Kremlin.
Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov told reporters, “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 West Asia,”.
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Ushakov noted that President Trump also viewed the situation in the region as “very alarming.” Despite the tensions, both leaders agreed that the possibility of resuming negotiations over Iran’s nuclear programme should not be ruled out.
On the issue of Ukraine, Putin conveyed to Trump that Moscow remains open to continuing talks with Kyiv after June 22, according to Russia’s RIA news agency. Trump, for his part, reaffirmed his desire for a swift resolution to the conflict, Ushakov added.
Putin also congratulated Trump on his 79th birthday.
Meanwhile, Israel on Saturday threatened to strike “every target of the ayatollah regime” in Iran, whose president warned of a severe response if the Israeli attacks continue, fuelling fears of an escalating conflict.
The threats came as the two longtime foes exchanged fire a day after Israel unleashed an unprecedented aerial bombing campaign, which scuppered plans for a new round of Iran-US nuclear talks Sunday.
The Israeli strikes since Friday hit military and nuclear sites in Iran, and according to officials killed dozens, including top army and Revolutionary Guards commanders as well as civilians.
Iran responded with barrages of drones and missiles fired at Israel overnight.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said that “the continuation of the Zionist aggression will be met with a more severe and powerful response from the Iranian armed forces.”
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According to a statement from his office, Pezeshkian condemned Washington’s “dishonesty” for supporting Israel while the United States was engaged in nuclear talks with Iran – which mediator Oman said would no longer take place on Sunday, when a sixth round had been scheduled.
With inputs from agencies