Fact Check: Donald Trump mentioned that Vladimir Putin called him to discuss the possibility of mediating between Israel and Iran.

Fact Check: "Donald Trump mentioned that Vladimir Putin called him to discuss the possibility of mediating between Israel and Iran."

What We Know

On June 12, 2025, former President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin had a phone conversation that lasted approximately 50 minutes. During this call, they discussed escalating tensions in the Middle East, particularly the conflict between Israel and Iran, as well as the ongoing war in Ukraine. Trump stated on his Truth Social platform that both he and Putin feel that the conflict between Israel and Iran should come to an end (AP News).

Putin's foreign affairs adviser, Yuri Ushakov, confirmed that during the call, Putin condemned Israel's military operations against Iran and expressed serious concern about the potential for escalation, which could have unpredictable consequences for the region (Reuters). Ushakov also noted that Putin reiterated Russia's willingness to mediate in the ongoing tensions and mentioned past proposals aimed at finding mutually acceptable solutions regarding Iran's nuclear program (CBS News).

Trump's comments suggest a willingness to consider mediation, as he stated he would be "open" to Putin acting as a mediator in the conflict (Pravda). However, the specifics of any mediation proposals were not detailed in the conversation.

Analysis

The claim that Trump mentioned Putin called him to discuss mediation is partially true. The conversation did indeed cover the Israel-Iran conflict, with both leaders expressing a desire for the situation to de-escalate. However, while Putin indicated Russia's readiness to mediate, it is unclear if Trump explicitly discussed or agreed to any specific mediation efforts during their call.

The sources used for this analysis are generally credible, including major news outlets like the Associated Press, Reuters, and CBS News, which reported on the conversation and provided direct quotes from both Trump and Ushakov. However, the interpretation of Trump's openness to mediation is somewhat nuanced. While he expressed a willingness to consider it, the lack of detailed proposals or a formal agreement during the call suggests that the claim may overstate the certainty of mediation efforts being actively pursued.

Moreover, Trump's prior statements and actions regarding foreign policy, particularly concerning Russia, may influence how his comments are perceived. His history of fluctuating positions on international conflicts raises questions about the reliability of his commitments (Jerusalem Post).

Conclusion

The claim that Donald Trump mentioned that Vladimir Putin called him to discuss the possibility of mediating between Israel and Iran is partially true. While the conversation did touch on the potential for mediation and both leaders expressed a desire for peace, the specifics of any mediation efforts were not clearly defined. The context of the conversation indicates a general openness rather than a concrete plan for mediation.

Fact Check: Donald Trump mentioned that Vladimir Putin called him to discuss the possibility of mediating between Israel and Iran.