President Trump said he talked by phone to Russian President Vladimir Putin about Iran on Saturday, hours before the Iranians began firing a new round of missiles at Israel. 

Mr. Trump said Mr. Putin called to wish him a happy birthday, “but to more importantly, talk about Iran, a country he knows very well.”

Mr. Trump turned 79 on Saturday.

Iran Saturday retaliated with a fifth wave of ballistic missiles fired against Israel following Israel’s attack on Iranian nuclear sites and targeted strikes that killed high-ranking government and military officials.

Mr. Trump said he talked to Mr. Putin for about an hour.

“We talked at length. Much less time was spent talking about Russia/Ukraine, but that will be for next week,” Mr. Trump said, referring to Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine, which he is trying to help the two nations settle.

“He is doing the planned prisoner swaps - large numbers of prisoners are being exchanged, immediately, from both sides,” Mr. Trump said. “He feels, as do I, this war in Israel-Iran should end, to which I explained, his war should also end.”

Video posted Saturday by the Israel Defense Forces showed missiles raining down on northern Israel. 

Mr. Trump is set to host a military parade Saturday marking the 250th anniversary of the Army. 

• Susan Ferrechio can be reached at sferrechio@washingtontimes.com.