Trump calls Putin to discuss Iran after Russia pledges 'unwavering support' for Tehran

US President Donald Trump on Monday spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin over the phone to discuss the ongoing conflicts in Iran and Ukraine, according to media reports.

Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov said the call was initiated by Trump and focused on the conflict involving Iran as well as trilateral talks between Washington, Moscow and Kyiv aimed at finding a settlement to the Ukraine war, Russia Today reported.

Russian news agency TASS also confirmed the development, describing the dialogue between the two leaders as open and constructive.

“Tonight, a phone call between the Russian and US presidents took place. The conversation was businesslike, open and constructive, which is usually the case in dialogue between the Russian and US leaders,” Ushakov was quoted as saying.

The phone call was the first between Putin and Trump in more than two months and reportedly lasted about an hour. During the conversation, Trump reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to achieving a long-term settlement between Russia and Ukraine. Ushakov said Putin thanked Trump for his administration’s continued mediation efforts.

Putin also conveyed his concerns about the volatile situation in the Middle East following the US-Israeli airstrikes on Iran and Tehran’s retaliatory strikes targeting US bases in neighbouring Gulf countries, according to the reports.

Notably, the conversation between Trump and Putin came shortly after the Russian leader extended greetings to Mojtaba Khamenei following his appointment as Iran’s new Supreme Leader.

According to Russia Today, Putin in his message to the new leader pledged Russia’s unwavering support for Tehran amid the ongoing conflict.

“At a time when Iran is confronting armed aggression, I am confident that you will honourably continue the cause of your father and rally the Iranian people. I wish to reaffirm our unwavering support for Tehran,” Putin was quoted as saying in the report.