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Kremlin: Putin Discussed Iran, Ukraine War in Call with Trump

In this pool photograph distributed by Russian state agency Sputnik, Russia's President Vladimir Putin attends a video meeting in Moscow on June 13, 2026, amid the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian conflict. (Photo by VYACHESLAV PROKOFYEV / POOL / AFP)
In this pool photograph distributed by Russian state agency Sputnik, Russia's President Vladimir Putin attends a video meeting in Moscow on June 13, 2026, amid the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian conflict. (Photo by VYACHESLAV PROKOFYEV / POOL / AFP)
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Kremlin: Putin Discussed Iran, Ukraine War in Call with Trump

In this pool photograph distributed by Russian state agency Sputnik, Russia's President Vladimir Putin attends a video meeting in Moscow on June 13, 2026, amid the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian conflict. (Photo by VYACHESLAV PROKOFYEV / POOL / AFP)
In this pool photograph distributed by Russian state agency Sputnik, Russia's President Vladimir Putin attends a video meeting in Moscow on June 13, 2026, amid the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian conflict. (Photo by VYACHESLAV PROKOFYEV / POOL / AFP)

Russian President Vladimir Putin called US counterpart Donald Trump on Sunday, Trump's 80th birthday, and discussed the wars in Ukraine and Iran and an upcoming visit of Washington's envoys to Russia, the Kremlin said.

"The conversation focused on the situation surrounding the memorandum of understanding being drafted between the United States and Iran. Donald Trump said an agreement is close," Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov told reporters.

Ushakov also said that "it has been agreed that US presidential special representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who are currently closely involved in Iranian affairs, will return to Russia soon".

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sunday he will discuss the Russian invasion and peace efforts to end it during a meeting with Trump at the G7 summit in France.

Zelensky, who earlier spoke by phone with the US leader, said they "discussed things that could help bring about peace now, and I informed the president about the latest developments on the battlefield and how our position has strengthened. We agreed that we will discuss more during our meeting at the G7 summit."

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World

US Launches ‘Economic Onslaught’ Against Iran’s Financial Connections

WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 24: US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announces a new set of sanctions against Iran in the Cash Room at the Treasury Department on August 24, 2026 in Washington, DC. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images/AFP
WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 24: US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announces a new set of sanctions against Iran in the Cash Room at the Treasury Department on August 24, 2026 in Washington, DC. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images/AFP
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US Launches ‘Economic Onslaught’ Against Iran’s Financial Connections

WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 24: US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announces a new set of sanctions against Iran in the Cash Room at the Treasury Department on August 24, 2026 in Washington, DC. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images/AFP
WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 24: US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announces a new set of sanctions against Iran in the Cash Room at the Treasury Department on August 24, 2026 in Washington, DC. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images/AFP

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent unveiled Monday what he described as an "economic D-Day" that aims to give a final warning to countries to sever their business ties with Iran or risk having key companies and entities cut off from the dollar-based financial system.

"We are launching an economic onslaught against Iran’s financial connections around ⁠the globe. Our ⁠objective is to sever every economic lifeline that sustains this tyrannical regime until Tehran stands alone," Bessent said.

He added that it’s “no longer acceptable to operate in the gray spaces” of the conflict.

He did not name what countries could face potential secondary sanctions from the United States.

“Let there be no ambiguity as to the position of the United States,” Bessent told a news conference. “An economic engagement of any kind with this murderous regime will expose those responsible to the full reach of American power.”

The US Treasury Department has mapped the networks, facilitators, and financial channels that Iran uses to smuggle oil and evade sanctions and said that Washington would be working with US partners to target any source of Iran's "illicit revenue."

The department said it has issued determinations against five sectors -- digital assets, technology, gold, ⁠aviation and shipping -- that the Iranian government is using to prop up its economy. The Treasury has also imposed sanctions on nearly 60 entities, individuals and vessels.

US President Donald Trump's war with Iran, which has pushed energy prices higher worldwide, is about to hit its six-month mark. While heavy fighting has ‌subsided, diplomatic efforts to end the war have stalled and oil and raw material shipping through the Strait of Hormuz ⁠remains blocked, ⁠keeping energy prices elevated.

World

Trump Says Iran 'Collapsing' Ahead of Sanctions Announcement

Motorcyclists pass a billboard depicting US President Donald Trump with hands around his neck beneath the words "Revenge is inevitable" in Tehran, Iran, Monday, Aug. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)
Motorcyclists pass a billboard depicting US President Donald Trump with hands around his neck beneath the words "Revenge is inevitable" in Tehran, Iran, Monday, Aug. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)
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Trump Says Iran 'Collapsing' Ahead of Sanctions Announcement

Motorcyclists pass a billboard depicting US President Donald Trump with hands around his neck beneath the words "Revenge is inevitable" in Tehran, Iran, Monday, Aug. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)
Motorcyclists pass a billboard depicting US President Donald Trump with hands around his neck beneath the words "Revenge is inevitable" in Tehran, Iran, Monday, Aug. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

President Donald Trump said Monday that Iran is "collapsing" hours before the US government was set to announce details of what it says will be crushing sanctions against Tehran.

"IRAN IS COMPLETELY COLLAPSING!!!" Trump posted in his trademark all-caps style on his social media platform Truth Social.

“President Trump decimated Iran’s economy to a point where the rial has never been weaker and inflation has rarely been higher,” US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent wrote Sunday in an opinion piece in the Financial Times.

“The regime’s final refuge now lies in the self-deception of fearful nations that still believe accommodating aggression can secure a durable peace.”

World

Health of Norway's King Deteriorated but he is Stable Now

(FILES) Norway's King Harald gives a speech at the gala dinner at the Castle in Oslo on April 8, 2025 during the state visit of Iceland's President Halla Tomasdottir and her husband Bjorn Skulason. (Photo by Fredrik Varfjell / NTB / AFP)
(FILES) Norway's King Harald gives a speech at the gala dinner at the Castle in Oslo on April 8, 2025 during the state visit of Iceland's President Halla Tomasdottir and her husband Bjorn Skulason. (Photo by Fredrik Varfjell / NTB / AFP)
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Health of Norway's King Deteriorated but he is Stable Now

(FILES) Norway's King Harald gives a speech at the gala dinner at the Castle in Oslo on April 8, 2025 during the state visit of Iceland's President Halla Tomasdottir and her husband Bjorn Skulason. (Photo by Fredrik Varfjell / NTB / AFP)
(FILES) Norway's King Harald gives a speech at the gala dinner at the Castle in Oslo on April 8, 2025 during the state visit of Iceland's President Halla Tomasdottir and her husband Bjorn Skulason. (Photo by Fredrik Varfjell / NTB / AFP)

Crown Prince Haakon visited his father King Harald of Norway on Monday at the hospital, after the king's health deteriorated over the weekend, public broadcaster NRK reported.

The 89-year-old monarch, who has been on sick leave for several weeks, was admitted to the National Hospital a week ago. He is now receiving antibiotics for a bacterial blood infection and has responded to treatment, the royal palace said late Sunday, adding that his condition is stable.

Haakon, has been serving as regent during that time, The Associated Press quoted the palace as saying.

The king has hemolytic anemia and was being treated with cortisone, leading to fluid accumulation in the body that required hospital treatment, the palace said last week.

Norway's prime minister sent his wishes for the king and said that “all of Norway is following and thinking about the king,” NRK reported.

“My strong wish is that he continues to receive good treatment from the good healthcare system we have,” Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said.

Harald, who has been monarch since 1991, has been in and out of the hospital several times in recent years.

In February, he was admitted to a hospital in Spain’s Canary Islands during a winter vacation for treatment for a skin infection.

Two years ago, the king fell ill during a private vacation with the queen in Malaysia and received a temporary pacemaker there. Harald returned aboard a medical airplane to Norway, where he was fitted with a permanent pacemaker.