ST PETERSBURG, Russia (Reuters) -Russian President Vladimir Putin made the following comments to senior news agency editors on the conflict between Iran and Israel and on whether he would be willing to speak to German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. ASKED ABOUT ISRAELI REMARKS ABOUT POSSIBLE REGIME CHANGE IN IRAN:

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Tuesday that the leadership in Tehran has been weakened by Israel's attacks in the past few days and will likely not return to its former strength."This regime is very weakened and will probably not return to its former strength,

The German chancellor's support comes amid fresh strikes launched by both Israel and Iran. Meanwhile, in Gaza, dozens were reported killed near a GHF aid distribution site. Follow DW for more.