In an interview with Sky News Arabia on Saturday, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that Russia is prepared to assist Iran in developing its peaceful nuclear program, affirming that Iran has the right to pursue such initiatives. He emphasized that neither Russia nor the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has found any evidence that Iran is working toward nuclear weapons. “We’ve shared this position with Israeli leadership on multiple occasions,” Putin added.

A joint assessment by the U.S.-based Institute for the Study of War and Critical Threats Project reveals that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has moved key nuclear materials to undisclosed, secure locations to protect them from potential Israeli strikes. Analysts suggest this could be a strategic move to apply diplomatic pressure and steer Western powers toward negotiations instead of war. Iran continues to maintain that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.

Former U.S. President Bill Clinton criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, stating, “Netanyahu has been pushing for war with Iran for years because he sees it as a way to stay in power for life. He’s been in office for most of the past 20 years.” Clinton urged President Trump to help de-escalate the conflict and end civilian casualties. Emphasizing a peaceful resolution, he said, “We will support and protect our allies, but entering covert or unofficial wars that primarily harm innocent civilians is not a solution.”

In a recent speech, former U.S. President Donald Trump claimed, “I should have won the Nobel Peace Prize four or five times, but I’m not being given the award because I’m not a liberal.” Trump highlighted his role in reducing tensions in regions like Rwanda, Congo, Kosovo, and between India and Pakistan. Pakistan has officially nominated Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of his mediation efforts during the India-Pakistan conflict.

Tulsi Gabbard, head of U.S. National Intelligence, wrote on X (formerly Twitter) that American intelligence has evidence suggesting Iran has reached a stage in its nuclear program where it could produce a nuclear weapon in a matter of weeks or months if it chose to. “President Trump has made it clear this cannot be allowed to happen, and I fully agree,” she added. This contrasts with her earlier statement in March, where she claimed U.S. intelligence believed Iran was not pursuing nuclear weapons. Former President Trump responded to the contradiction by stating, "Mrs. Gabbard is misrepresenting Iran’s intentions."

Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed grave concern over increasing global conflict risks, warning of the potential for a world war. “All crises must be resolved peacefully,” he emphasized. Putin criticized NATO for repeatedly ignoring Russia’s security concerns, calling it another form of Western colonialism. He also revealed that the US has promised to ensure the safety of Russian personnel at Iran’s Bushehr nuclear facility. Commenting on Israeli threats to assassinate Iran’s Supreme Leader, Putin added, “I hope it’s only rhetoric.”

US President Donald Trump stated on Friday that there is no reason for Israel to halt its strikes on Iran, adding, “Israel is winning decisively. I want to give them a timeframe—two weeks at most. I want to see if Iran regains its senses.” Earlier, on Thursday, Trump said he would assess the situation for two weeks before deciding on further military action against Iran.

European diplomats have urged the United States to intervene and stop Israeli airstrikes in Iran, appealing for reduced violence and dialogue. When asked if he would pressure Israel to heed these calls, U.S. President Donald Trump replied, “Israel is winning right now and doing very well. It’s hard to tell the winning side what to do in this situation.” His response indicates reluctance to intervene against ongoing Israeli attacks in Iran, implying no immediate U.S. interference is forthcoming.

Dorothy Shea, the US Deputy Ambassador to the UN, mistakenly said, “The Israeli government has also spread chaos, terrorism, and suffering,” before quickly correcting herself to say, “Iran’s government has also spread chaos, terrorism, and suffering.” Shea emphasized that Iran was ideologically and materially behind Hamas’ deadly attack on Israel in October 2023. She also highlighted that Iran had launched hundreds of ballistic missiles at Israel in two separate assaults last year.

At a UN Security Council emergency session, Russia’s envoy Vasily Nebenzya condemned Israel for launching a unilateral attack on Iran, ignoring UN resolutions and diplomatic efforts. He warned that Iran’s peaceful nuclear sites remain vulnerable to attacks that could trigger a nuclear disaster. Nebenzya highlighted that the attack occurred amid ongoing indirect talks between the US and Iran, undermining diplomatic progress. He emphasized that Iran’s nuclear facilities are under strict IAEA supervision, and Israel’s actions showed blatant disregard for international norms and UN authority.

Yasmin Ansari, the youngest female member of the U.S. Congress and a Democrat of Iranian descent, has expressed grave concern over how former President Donald Trump is handling the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran.

“I am extremely worried about the way President Trump is managing the Israel-Iran crisis,” Ansari stated. “We have a president who changes his stance every day. No one trusts his words.”

Referring to the U.S. involvement in the Iraq War, she emphasized that America has no positive or “successful” history in the region and warned against further intervention. Ansari also clarified that not all Iranians support the ruling regime. “Millions of Iranians oppose the Islamic Republic. They should not be the ones paying the price in bombings,” she said.

The congresswoman urged Trump to prioritize a diplomatic resolution to avoid unnecessary loss of American lives.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov warned that using U.S. tactical nuclear weapons against Iran would lead to catastrophic consequences. The Guardian reported that conventional bombs may not be sufficient to destroy Iran’s underground uranium enrichment facility at Fordow. Some U.S. defense officials have reportedly discussed nuclear options to target the site.

However, the report adds that former U.S. President Donald Trump is not currently considering using nuclear weapons against Iran.

Following a joint meeting, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio have reaffirmed their unified stance that Iran must never be allowed to develop or obtain nuclear weapons. Lammy described the Middle East situation as increasingly dangerous and emphasized that there is a diplomatic window within the next two weeks to find a lasting solution.

Two Bangladeshi-American citizens have been convicted of electoral fraud in the 2021 Milbourne mayoral election. Former council members Md. Nurul Hasan and Md. Rafiqul Islam were sentenced to 36 months and one year and one day in prison, respectively, by a US court. While voter fraud was previously rare in the city, the case has raised serious concerns about election integrity.

Steve Witkoff, the US Special Envoy to the Middle East, has reportedly been in contact with Iranian representatives, according to a report from Al Jazeera’s Kimberly Halkett. Witkoff recently met with UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy and US Senator Marco Rubio at the White House. Iran’s Foreign Minister is scheduled to meet with his French, British, and German counterparts in Geneva this Friday. Halkett noted, “We expect those talks to clarify that the US is seeking a diplomatic solution.”