In a display of sharply diverging international responses, Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump have taken opposing stances on Israel’s recent strikes against Iran.
According to the Kremlin press service, Putin held phone conversations with both Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, amid escalating tensions in the Middle East. During his call with Tehran, the Russian president condemned the Israeli attacks, offering his condolences to Iran over the casualties and damage. The Kremlin emphasized the importance of restraint and diplomacy, warning that further escalations could destabilize the broader region.
Israel launched a major attack on Iran overnight, targeting nuclear facilities and various military installations. The strikes continued into the day, inflicting considerable material damage and casualties on Iran’s top military leadership and, reportedly, high-profile nuclear scientists.
“The Russian president expressed his condolences to the leadership and people of the Islamic Republic of Iran in connection with the numerous human casualties, including civilians, resulting from the Israeli strikes,” the Kremlin press service said in a statement on Friday.
Russia “condemns Israel’s actions, which violate the UN Charter and international law,” Putin stressed, according to the statement. At the same time, the Russian leader expressed a readiness to mediate and to “continue to contribute to the de-escalation of the conflict between Iran and Israel.”
Putin also underscored the importance of “returning to the negotiation process and resolving all issues related to the Iranian nuclear program exclusively through political and diplomatic means.” The ongoing escalation “is fraught with the most disastrous consequences for the entire region,” he warned.
The Israeli attack comes after five rounds of US-Iranian talks about Tehran’s nuclear program that effectively stalled and failed to produce any tangible result. The sixth round of negotiations was expected to take place in Oman on Sunday.
US and Trump’s stance
Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump publicly praised the Israeli strikes as “excellent,” asserting that the Israeli government was right to take “preemptive action” against Iranian threats. Speaking at a rally in Florida, Trump added, “There’s more to come unless Tehran agrees to a real, verifiable nuclear deal — not the weak one Biden had.”
Speaking on the strikes, Trump lauded the attacks, “I think it’s been excellent,” Trump said, commenting on the attack. “We gave them a chance, and they didn’t take it. They got struck, very hard. They got hit about as hard as you’re going to get hit. And there’s more to come. A lot more.”
Trump earlier told Fox News that he was aware of the planned attack beforehand. Asked by Karl whether the US took part, he replied, “I don’t want to comment on that.”
The contrast between Moscow and Washington’s former leadership highlights the deepening global divide over how to manage Iran’s nuclear ambitions and regional influence. While Russia has sought to position itself as a mediator in the conflict, Trump’s comments suggest a willingness to back further Israeli military action.
“Two months ago, I gave Iran a 60-day ultimatum to make a deal. They should have done it,” Trump wrote. “I told them what to do, but they just couldn’t get there. Now they have, perhaps, a second chance!”
The Israeli government has not officially commented on the conversations, but sources suggest it is seeking continued support from key allies while managing backlash from international critics.
The latest developments come at a time when nuclear diplomacy with Iran has largely stalled, and military tensions continue to rise across the region. With both Washington and Moscow once again finding themselves on opposite ends. The clash could now escalate into something larger if the two decide to actively get involved. For the world, it would be better if they could act as peacemakers rather than instigators, or it would mean a geopolitical clash that could engulf the entire region.
