Donald Trump has reacted sharply to Vladimir Putin’s public backing of Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, at a moment when the U.S.-Israel war with Iran is intensifying and the Strait of Hormuz is effectively shut to most oil traffic. After Putin pledged “unwavering support” to Tehran and hailed Khamenei Jr.’s rise, he warned that a prolonged Hormuz disruption could halt a major share of global oil flows within weeks. Trump, who says Putin “wants to be helpful,” has responded by urging him to prove it by helping end the Russia‑Ukraine war, arguing that only de‑escalation in Ukraine can reduce Moscow–Tehran coordination and ease the Middle East crisis. Watch for more