Putin warns Trump of "Dire Consequences" if Iran war resumes in 90-minute phone call

Russian President Vladimir Putin warned President Donald Trump in a 90-minute phone call that resuming military operations against Iran, especially a ground invasion, would have extremely damaging consequences for the international community. Putin offered Russian assistance to secure Iran's enriched uranium as part of a diplomatic deal, but Trump rejected the offer and told Putin to focus instead on ending the four-year war in Ukraine. The exchange occurs as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faces bipartisan congressional scrutiny over the unauthorized February war with Iran, which has cost an estimated $25 billion, with lawmakers challenging his claim that Iran's nuclear facilities were obliterated. Trump rejected Iran's latest proposal to reopen the blockaded Strait of Hormuz in exchange for ending the war, leaving the U.S. and Iran in a stalemate as Iran refuses to abandon its nuclear ambitions.

Putin's Warning to Trump About Renewed Iran Hostilities

• ▪Vladimir Putin offered assistance with uranium enrichment during the phone call with Donald Trump on Wednesday
• ▪Donald Trump told Vladimir Putin he would rather have Russia involved in ending the war with Ukraine than assisting with uranium enrichment
• ▪Vladimir Putin told Donald Trump that renewed hostilities against Iran would be dangerous and unacceptable, especially any ground operation on Iranian territory
• ▪Russian President Vladimir Putin raised concerns about renewed hostilities against Iran in a phone call with President Donald Trump on Wednesday

Congressional Scrutiny of the Unauthorized Iran War

• ▪The U.S. war with Iran was launched in February without congressional authorization
• ▪Members of both parties in Congress are pressing Pete Hegseth and General Dan Caine for clarity on the Iran conflict's objectives, results, and strain on U.S. forces and munitions
• ▪The Trump administration's proposed 2027 defense budget would increase Pentagon spending to a record $1.5 trillion
• ▪Pete Hegseth's statement that Iran's nuclear facilities had been obliterated triggered sharp pushback during a House Armed Services Committee hearing
• ▪Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman General Dan Caine testified before Congress as part of hearings on the Trump administration's proposed 2027 defense budget
• ▪The U.S. war with Iran is estimated to have cost $25 billion

Perspective of Pete Hegseth and U.S. Defense leadership

• ▪The Trump administration defense leadership seeks a record $1.5 trillion Pentagon budget to support military operations including the Iran conflict