As Israel escalates strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, fears grow that the conflict could spill over into a global war. With the US cautious, Russia posturing, and regional powers on edge, the Israel-Iran clash has sparked heated debate over whether World War III has begun.

When Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, officials in Russia described the current escalation in the Middle East as "alarming" and "dangerous." Still, Russian media were quick to stress the potential positives for Moscow.

In a dramatic one-hour phone call, Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump discussed the escalating Iran-Israel conflict, the Ukraine war, and the future of nuclear negotiations.

Israeli officials say they attacked Iran because of new intelligence that claims the nation is inching closer toward full nuclear capabilities. Tom Karako, director of the Missile Defense Project, joins CBS News to discuss.

President Donald Trump threatened Iran's supreme leader with assassination as he pushed Tehran to end its retaliatory airstrikes on Israel.