Trump, Putin Discuss Ways to End Iran, Ukraine Wars
President Donald J. Trump spoke by phone Monday with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss the growing conflict involving Iran as well as ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the war in Ukraine.
According to the Kremlin, the conversation marked the first publicly known call between the two leaders since the latest fighting tied to Iran began.
Russia has historically maintained close relations with Tehran, raising concerns among U.S. officials that Moscow could potentially assist the Iranian government during the conflict. Trump appeared to dismiss those fears, while White House envoy Steve Witkoff said over the weekend that American officials had clearly warned Russian counterparts against sharing intelligence with Iran.
Putin’s foreign policy adviser, Yuri Ushakov, told reporters in Moscow that the call lasted roughly an hour and described the discussion as “frank” and “businesslike.”
Ushakov said Putin offered several proposals aimed at de-escalating the conflict involving Iran. Meanwhile, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said on state television that officials from France, China, and Russia had initiated discussions about potential ceasefire conditions, according to reporting by Axios.
Hours after the conversation concluded, Trump confirmed the call to reporters and described it positively.
“He wants to be helpful [with Iran]. I told him you can be more helpful by ending the war in Ukraine,” Trump said.
Fetterman Clashes With CNN Host Over Iran Strike
While diplomatic talks unfolded abroad, debate intensified in Washington over recent U.S. military actions tied to the conflict.
Sen. John Fetterman delivered a forceful defense of American military operations in Iran during a tense exchange Wednesday night with Kaitlan Collins on the The Source with Kaitlan Collins.
The discussion centered on fallout from a Feb. 28 Tomahawk missile strike that hit the Shajarah Tayyebeh elementary school building in Minab, southeastern Iran. Iranian reports claim at least 175 people were killed, many of them children.
A preliminary U.S. military review later indicated the strike resulted from faulty targeting intelligence based on outdated data reportedly supplied by the Defense Intelligence Agency. The intended target was believed to be an Iranian military installation located nearby.
Following the incident, nearly every Senate Democrat signed a letter urging Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to conduct a “swift investigation.” Fetterman was the lone Democrat who declined to sign the letter.
Collins confronted him directly during the interview.
“Every Senate Democrat except you signed a letter today… asking for an investigation into that strike on a girls’ school in Iran,” she said. “Why did you not sign that letter, senator?”
Fetterman responded that while he acknowledged the tragedy and supported accountability, he rejected broader criticisms of the war effort coming from many within his party.
“Well, because we all agree that it is a tragedy having that school hit, absolutely,” Fetterman said. “And we all agreed now for an investigation. What I don’t agree with the rest of my colleagues… is that it’s a war of choice or it’s dumb… I think it’s a good thing and I support that.”
He noted that the Pentagon had already acknowledged possible responsibility and said an apology would be appropriate if the findings are confirmed.
Fetterman then shifted his criticism toward what he described as selective outrage in media coverage of the conflict.
“And I would remind everybody listening right now, the United States never, ever targets civilians,” he said. “Iran does… and they massacred 35,000 of them just a couple of weeks ago.”
As Collins attempted to interrupt, Fetterman continued speaking.
“The left media is much more angry… about this hospital. And it is a tragedy. But they didn’t seem to be as concerned about the Iranians massacring tens of thousands of their young people just a couple of weeks ago.”
Collins responded by noting that CNN had extensively covered protests and unrest within Iran.
“Well, I don’t watch, so I don’t know,” Fetterman replied, adding that he was referring more broadly to what he described as coverage by “other left media,” including outlets such as The New York Times, which he said often portray the war effort as a failure.
The heated exchange highlights growing divisions in Washington as the conflict continues—both over U.S. strategy abroad and over how the war is being covered at home.