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.

Russian President Vladimir Putin held phone calls with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Friday after Israel pelted Iran with a series of strikes.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal on Sunday urged President Donald Trump to immediately push for legislation that would ratchet up sanctions against Russia. “This moment cries out for presidential leadership. There is an urgency here,” the Connecticut Democrat said on CBS’ “Face the Nation.”

Launching weapons from within their territory forces adversaries to look not only outward but also inside for threats, one expert said.

Russia and Israel have built a close political, economic and cultural relationship that helped them tackle delicate and divisive issues, including developments in Syria.

Russia is prepared to continue to work to resolve issues surrounding Iran's nuclear programme, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says rising global oil prices following Israeli strikes on Iran will strengthen Russia by increasing its oil revenues, aiding its war effort in Ukraine.

Donald Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social, "President Putin called this morning to very nicely wish me a Happy Birthday, but to more importantly, talk about Iran, a country he knows very well.