Despite evidence that the conflict between Israel and Iran is escalating, U.S. President Donald Trump expressed optimism on Sunday that peace would come soon and cited the possibility that Russia's Vladimir Putin could help.

Russia’s diplomatic balancing act between Israel and Iran has been tested by recent tensions. As Israel’s strikes on Iranian targets escalate hostilities, Russia could emerge as a key mediator in the conflict,

As an unprecedented Israeli attack on Iran last week sparks a spiraling conflict between the two enemy states, China has seen an opportunity to cast itself as potential peace broker – and an alternative voice to the United States.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz also spoke with Netanyahu. “Israel has the right to defend its existence and the security of its citizens,” he said Sunday in a social media post. “Iran’s nuclear weapons program is an existential threat to the State of Israel.”

Russia is pushing itself as a candidate to hold Iran's enriched uranium in hypothetical peace arrangements with Israel.

Blasts have been heard in Tehran and sirens have sounded in Israel as US president convenes National Security Council.