"Putin might use this perceived distraction as an opportunity to obtain further territory," a retired U.S. Colonel told Newsweek.

It was the two leaders’ first call since 2022, and the Russian president’s first with any major European leader since last year.

Russian President Vladimir Putin had a "substantial" phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron on the Iran-Israel conflict and Ukraine, the Kremlin said on Tuesday, the first such exchange between the two leaders since September 2022.

Iran is assessing the damage and lashing out over the American and Israeli airstrikes that damaged its nuclear sites.

White House officials continue to swagger, but there may be less cause for optimism than they would have the public believe

Iranian authorities have arrested hundreds of people and executed dozens in a wave of repression following the 12-day war with Israel, activists say, accusing the Islamic republic of using fear to compensate for weaknesses revealed by the conflict.

As he considered military strikes against Iran, President Donald Trump publicly mused about killing the Islamic Republic's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Now, a senior Iranian cleric has made Trump a target.

President Donald Trump said early Monday he is "not offering Iran anything" despite suggesting new nuclear talks with Tehran.