Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) questioned the idea of Russian President Vladimir Putin playing a role in the negotiations between Israel and Iran, citing how Putin did “nothing” when Syria requested Russia’s aid last year.

The Israel-Iran conflict has escalated into its fourth day with mounting casualties, widening attacks, and no sign of diplomatic resolution.

Israel's attack on Iran lifted the dollar ahead of the weekend, but it barely rose above the previous session's high.

Iran-aligned Iraqi armed group Kataib Hezbollah warned on Sunday it would resume attacks on U.S. troops in the region if the United States intervenes in the conflict between Israel and Iran.

After mulling such action for 16 years, Israel has launched air strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities – a mission fraught with peril not just for the Jewish state, but for the broader Middle East.

Lapid made a speech last month to Israel’s parliament, which is called the Knesset, that marked 600 days since the start of the war in Gaza. Lapid slammed Netanyahu for bringing a conflict upon Israel that didn’t exist during his own brief time in office.

The Lebanese militant group Hezbollah was long considered Iran’s first line of defense in case of a war with Israel.

Israel’s sudden attack on Iran has threatened to disrupt oil supplies in the Middle East, placing the Opec+ cartel’s recent decision to increase crude production into the spotlight. The Saudi Arabia-led producer group has surprised the oil market this year by fast-tracking the return of idled production even as crude prices fell.