Russian President Vladimir Putin has stated that, despite internal political complications, the Iranian people are uniting around their leadership. When asked about threats against Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Putin declined to comment specifically but noted growing national solidarity in Iran.

He added that Israel’s initial aim was to destroy Iran’s nuclear program, not to cause regime change. “Israel has failed to strike Iran’s underground uranium enrichment sites—they remain intact. It's time for all sides to pursue compromise,” Putin said.

The possibility of a U.S. military strike on Iran has sparked division within former President Donald Trump's support base—particularly among his core "Make America Great Again" (MAGA) followers. Many are voicing strong opposition to involving the United States in another Middle Eastern conflict.

Prominent Trump ally and former White House strategist Steve Bannon warned, “We can't do this again. We don’t want another Iraq.” Influential MAGA voice Tucker Carlson also criticized any move toward military escalation. Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene echoed these sentiments, saying, “Those who want to drag the U.S. into a war between Israel and Iran are not true MAGA. We're tired of endless foreign wars.”

A group of demonstrators staged a protest in front of the White House, urging the U.S. government to stay out of any potential war between Israel and Iran. Protesters also decried the billions of dollars in military aid provided to Israel. With three U.S. aircraft carriers currently stationed in the Middle East, activists demanded that military assets on board—including aircraft and munitions—be used strictly for defense.

U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders has strongly opposed any U.S. involvement in a potential Israel-Iran conflict. In a statement, Sanders wrote, "Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is not the president of the United States and does not determine our foreign or military policy." He emphasized that if Israel chooses to go to war with Iran, it is their decision—and the U.S. should stay out of it entirely.

The Wall Street Journal reports that former U.S. President Donald Trump has granted policy-level approval for a potential military strike on Iran to halt its nuclear program. However, he has not yet issued a final order.

Trump is reportedly waiting to see whether Tehran shows willingness to reach a last-minute agreement. One of the potential U.S. targets is Iran’s Fordow uranium enrichment facility, which could only be destroyed with the most powerful bombs available.

When previously asked about the possibility of a strike, Trump commented ambiguously: “I may or may not do it.”

U.S. President Donald Trump has urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to continue military operations against Iran. Speaking outside the White House, Trump confirmed daily conversations with Netanyahu and expressed strong support for his actions. When asked about a potential U.S. attack on Iran, Trump remained vague, saying no one knows what he might do. He added that Iran is in trouble and now wants to negotiate, but criticized them for not coming to the table earlier when they had the chance.

The United States is set to deploy a third aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, near the Middle East amid rising tensions between Israel and Iran. Although the deployment was pre-planned, growing regional instability suggests the carrier may move closer to potential conflict zones. Another carrier may also be repositioned to either replace or join the USS Carl Vinson. These moves underscore a significant escalation in U.S. military presence, raising the risk of direct involvement in any future confrontation.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has confirmed that the Pentagon is fully prepared to execute any military orders from President Donald Trump regarding Iran. During a Senate hearing, he refrained from disclosing whether specific attack options had been presented but emphasized that the Department of Defense stands ready to implement decisions related to war or peace. This statement highlights the US’s active preparation amid rising tensions between Iran and Israel, with the Pentagon awaiting the President’s instructions.

U.S. President Donald Trump has declined Russian President Vladimir Putin’s proposal to mediate in the Israel-Iran conflict. Speaking at the White House, Trump said he told Putin to first resolve the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war before getting involved elsewhere. Trump emphasized that it would be more appropriate for Putin to address his own country’s conflict rather than interfering in other global crises. The statement underscores the U.S. stance on prioritizing Russia’s accountability in the Ukraine war before accepting its role as a peacemaker.

Deputy Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov issued a stark warning to the United States, stating that even considering military assistance to Israel could severely destabilize the already volatile situation in the region.

Ryabkov revealed that Moscow is currently maintaining diplomatic communication with both Iran and Israel in an effort to contain the crisis. Separately, the head of Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service, Sergey Naryshkin, described the situation as "critically unstable," noting that even a minor provocation could trigger full-scale war.

Reports also suggest that former U.S. President Donald Trump and his political allies are actively discussing potential strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities in support of Israel.

As Israel intensifies strikes on Iran, Russia remains unusually silent, avoiding military intervention due to its ongoing war in Ukraine and strategic economic ties with Gulf states. Drawing lessons from its failed gamble in Syria, Moscow is instead positioning itself as a neutral mediator. While Iran’s regime faces collapse, Russia sees a chance to retain influence through diplomacy, not force. Rising oil prices from the chaos also benefit Russia economically—turning regional instability into strategic opportunity.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has offered to mediate between Iran and Israel amid escalating tensions in the Middle East. In a conversation with the President of the United Arab Emirates, Putin expressed serious concern over the growing conflict and called for an immediate de-escalation.

Both leaders reportedly agreed on the urgency of finding a diplomatic resolution. Meanwhile, Russian state media suggested that the conflict could inadvertently benefit Russia's oil market.

Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, affirmed Iran’s legitimate right to pursue peaceful nuclear programs. She condemned Israel’s recent attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities, stating they pose a “direct threat to regional and global security.”

“Middle East nuclear threats are not theoretical—they are real and escalating,” she warned. Russia’s UN envoy Gennady Gatilov also demanded international accountability for Israel’s actions.

Eric Trump, son of Donald Trump and executive at the Trump Organization, has unveiled a new venture named Trump Mobile. The company will exclusively sell smartphones made in the United States. The first model, dubbed T1, is expected to hit the market in about two and a half months, but pre-orders are already underway. The project marks the Trump Organization's entry into competition with tech giants like Apple and Samsung.

A U.S. federal court has blocked a Trump-era policy aimed at denying passports to transgender and non-binary Americans. Judge Julia Kobick of the U.S. District Court in Boston issued a preliminary injunction expanding on her earlier April ruling, which had limited the block to six specific plaintiffs. The court cited constitutional violations as the basis for the injunction. Previously, in his second term, Trump had signed an executive order declaring that the U.S. government would only recognize two genders, and that gender could not be changed.