A high-stakes telephonic conversation between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart Donald Trump stretched well over an hour and a half, with both leaders discussing some of the most critical global flashpoints, as per AFP. According to the Kremlin, the interaction was “friendly and businesslike”. The Kremlin confirmed that the two leaders placed significant emphasis on developments in the Middle East, particularly the ongoing war involving Iran. Putin’s top diplomatic aide, Yuri Ushakov, briefed reporters that the leaders “paid particular attention to the situation regarding Iran and in the Persian Gulf.”