Did Vladimir Putin push Donald Trump to end the escalating Iran war? A dramatic geopolitical twist is emerging after the U.S. President suddenly said the conflict could end “very soon”, just hours after a tense phone call with the Russian leader. The one-hour conversation on March 9 came at a critical moment as the United States and Israel continue major military operations against Iran, a key partner of Russia. According to reports, Putin urged Washington to pursue a quick diplomatic settlement to prevent a wider regional explosion. The call also came shortly after Mojtaba Khamenei was formally named Iran’s new Supreme Leader following the death of his father, Ali Khamenei, who was killed in the first wave of U.S.–Israeli strikes.