Trending Now - Putin Seeks Advantage as Trump’s Iran Links Emerge

WHO:

Special envoy Kirill Dmitriev met with Trump’s team, including special envoy Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, and White House senior adviser Josh Gruenbaum on March 11th, 2026.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated on CBS’ “60 Minutes” that “No one is putting us in danger” regarding risks to US troops from Russian activity.

Yury Ushakov, aide to President Putin, stated that the conversation with Trump was “very substantive.”

Daniel Yergin, vice chair of S&P Global, referred to Putin as having "won the lottery" due to the spike in oil prices.

President Vladimir Putin, President Trump, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Nicolás Maduro, Bashar al-Assad, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, President of the United Arab Emirates Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Hanna Notte, Sam Greene.

WHAT:

The Trump administration is considering easing more sanctions on Russian oil, as Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated, “We may unsanction further Russian oil” on March 10th, 2026.

Reports indicate that Russia is helping Iran with drone tactics learned in Ukraine to target US and Gulf assets, according to a Western intelligence official on March 11th, 2026.

The price of oil surged past $100 per barrel on March 9th, 2026, with experts warning it could reach $150 per barrel by the end of March 2026.

The Trump administration is considering easing more sanctions on Russian oil to address rising oil prices, as stated by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.

Putin spoke by phone with Trump on March 9th, 2026, discussing the US-Israeli war with Iran and the conflict in Ukraine.

The price of oil surged past $100 per barrel on March 9th, 2026, with experts warning it could reach $150 per barrel by the end of March 2026.

The Trump administration granted Indian refiners a 30-day waiver to buy Russian oil stranded at sea.

Russia's two largest oil companies faced sanctions from the US Treasury Department last year (2025).

WHERE:

The Gulf region, Strait of Hormuz, Russia, Ukraine, and various Middle Eastern countries.

WHEN:

The meeting between Trump’s team and the Russian envoy occurred on March 11th, 2026.

The statement from Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent was made on March 10th, 2026.

The phone call between Putin and Trump was their first since December 2025.

The phone call between Putin and Trump occurred on March 9th, 2026.

The regime of Bashar al-Assad fell in early December 2024.

The ouster of Nicolás Maduro occurred in early January 2026.

WHY:

The easing of sanctions is intended to address rising oil prices and alleviate political pressure on Trump amid the ongoing Iran conflict.

The Trump administration's potential easing of sanctions is aimed at addressing the political challenges posed by rising oil prices amid the Iran conflict.

Putin aims to find diplomatic and economic benefits from the ongoing conflict in Iran and to maintain his relationship with Trump for leverage over Europe.

The US-Israeli military campaign against Iran has created opportunities for Russia amid a global energy crisis.

HOW:

Russia is reportedly providing Iran with intelligence about the locations and movements of American assets in the Gulf region, according to multiple sources familiar with US intelligence reporting.

Putin expressed thoughts for a swift diplomatic resolution to the Iran conflict based on contacts with Gulf state leaders and the president of Iran during his call with Trump.

(UPDATED March 12, 2026 07:16 UTC)

In a significant meeting on March 11, Trump’s team, including special envoy Kirill Dmitriev and senior advisers Jared Kushner and Josh Gruenbaum, discussed potential changes to sanctions on Russian oil, as Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent hinted at easing restrictions to combat rising oil prices. Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth assured viewers on CBS’ “60 Minutes” that “no one is putting us in danger” regarding the risks to U.S. troops from Russian activities, despite reports that Russia is sharing drone tactics with Iran to target U.S. and Gulf assets. This backdrop of geopolitical tension comes as the Trump administration navigates political pressures amid the ongoing conflict with Iran.

(UPDATED March 12, 2026 05:22 UTC)

In a significant development, Yury Ushakov, an aide to President Putin, described a recent phone call with Trump as “very substantive,” marking their first conversation since December 2025. This comes as oil prices surged past $100 per barrel on March 9, with experts warning they could climb to $150 by the end of the month, prompting the Trump administration to consider easing sanctions on Russian oil to tackle the rising costs. Meanwhile, reports indicate that Russia is sharing intelligence with Iran about the movements of American assets in the Gulf region, adding another layer to the ongoing geopolitical tensions.

(UPDATED March 11, 2026 19:17 UTC)

In a significant phone call on March 9, President Putin spoke with Trump about the ongoing US-Israeli war with Iran and the conflict in Ukraine, emphasizing the need for a swift diplomatic resolution. Meanwhile, the price of oil surged past $100 per barrel, with experts warning it could reach $150 by the end of March, as the Trump administration granted Indian refiners a 30-day waiver to purchase Russian oil stranded at sea. This comes as Russia's two largest oil companies face sanctions from the US Treasury Department, highlighting the complex dynamics in the Gulf region and the broader Middle East.