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Iran’s telecom minister says Gazprom and Tehran in talks on gas project investments

Iran plans to hold a tender on development of oil and gas fields for international companies in late March

© Alexei Filippov/TASS

MOSCOW, March 13. /TASS/. Gazprom and Iran are holding talks on investing in the republic’s gas fields, Iran’s Telecom Minister and co-chairman of the Russian-Iranian intergovernmental commission Mahmoud Vaezi told reporters on Monday.

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"Russia and Iran made a decision to cooperate on gas and oil. The gas issue is related to investments into certain gas projects. Gazprom is holding talks with Iran in this regard," Vaezi pointed out.

Tehran plans to hold a tender on the development of oil and gas fields for international companies in late March. Twenty-nine foreign companies were qualified to participate in the tender, including Russia’s Gazprom and Lukoil.

The Presidents of Russia and Iran, Vladimir Putin and Hassan Rouhani, will meet at the end of March in Moscow.

"The meeting (of presidents - TASS) will be organized at the end of March in Moscow," he said, adding that preparations for the meeting, including the drafting the agenda, are currently underway."

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said earlier that preparations for Rouhani’s visit to Moscow are underway. "Preparations for such contacts are underway, we will make a relevant statement," Peskov said when asked whether the talks are scheduled for March 28.

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Hungarian PM highlights need to lift sanctions on Russia once Ukraine conflict is resolved

Viktor Obran added, however, that only a couple of EU countries shared Hungary’s position

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US defense companies capitalize the most on Ukraine conflict — Russia’s UN envoy

Vasily Nebenzya referred to data from the SIPRI which put last year’s revenues from sales of arms by the world’s top 100 largest businesses in the industry at $632 billion

Acting Kursk region governor revises death toll in Rylsk attack down to five

The number of those injured in the missile attack was revised up to 12 from 10

Russia recognizes Ukrainian businessman Akhmetov as extremist

According to the Justice Ministry, the Ukrainian businessman belongs to the group which "is based on ideological and property interests clearly aimed against Russia"

Orban does not intend to react to Zelensky's provocations, will remain calm

The Hungarian prime minister reiterated that his proposal for a Christmas ceasefire and prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia remains on the table

Russian troops liberate 10 communities in Donbass region over week — top brass

Russia’s Battlegroup West inflicted more than 3,610 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed six enemy ammunition depots in its area of responsibility over the week

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Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, December 20th

Putin meets with Federation Council Speaker Matviyenko in Kremlin

The upper chamber of the parliament wrapped up its autumn session

Baltic states threaten mass deportation of Russians, take lead in Russophobia — statement

The Foreign Ministry noted that the facts of discrimination and persecution of Russians are often ignored by the official leadership of countries and international human rights agencies, leading many victims to remain silent

Ukraine will soon run out of willing fighters, Putin says

The head of state pointed out that ex-British Prime Minister Boris Johnson had said at some point that Ukraine "needs to keep fighting until the last Ukrainian"

Ship with Syrian-Egyptian crew sends distress call in Kerch Strait

According to international law, the ship can be seized if wages are not paid

Ukraine's refusal to transit Russian gas will hit EU economies hard — French expert

According to Jacques Sapir, the decision not to extend transit contracts was no surprise given the political landscape

Assad allegedly hands list of military targets over to Israel before leaving Syria — media

According to the Turkish newspaper, the former Syrian president did it to ensure his own safety

Airborne troops from Russia’s Battlegroup Dnepr wipe out enemy position in Kherson region

A Russian airborne crew hit the target by firing a 120-mm mortar gun on a Ukrainian temporary position

Scholz says he intends to continue to speak directly with Putin in future

The German Chancellor claimed he intended to "make clear" to the Russian leader the need for his contribution to ending the conflict and withdrawing troops

Artyom military plant reportedly on fire after explosions in Kiev

The Artyom plant is known for producing air-to-air missiles, as well as equipment for aircraft

Russia forgives Somalia's Soviet-era debt

"One hundred percent of the stated amount is consolidated in accordance with this agreement," the document reads

Ukrainian lawmaker slams Zelensky for trying to bribe Slovak PM

The lawmaker believes that the bribe money wasn’t meant to come from Russia’s frozen funds but Zelensky "could have brought it in a suitcase"

Yemen’s Houthis announce hypersonic missile strike at military facility near Tel Aviv

Israel’s Ynet media outlet reports that at least 30 people suffered injuries after a missile fired from Yemen fell in central Israel

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TASS has compiled the key facts behind the deadly attack

Kherson Region governor says Ukraine tries to make people leave Kherson City

According to Vladimir Saldo, Ukrainian authorities are stopping the provision of humanitarian aid to people

Poland to import 10% of LPG from Russia after EU sanctions take effect

According to the Polish Liquid Gas Association, Poland purchased about $500 mln worth of liquefied petroleum gas from Russia during the first ten months of 2024

Strike on SBU control center response to Russian general’s assassination, expert says

The ministry clarified that Ukraine launched a missile strike against the Kamensky Integrated Plant in the Rostov Region using six US-made ATACMS missiles and four Storm Shadow cruise missiles

Kremlin spokesman clarifies Putin’s statement about Oreshnik 'duel'

"It is very important to talk about these statements by the president in the context of the question he was asked," Dmitry Peskov pointed out

Russia to raise issue of Ukrainian strikes on Rylsk at UNSC meeting on Friday — diplomat

Acting Kursk Region Governor Alexander Khinshtein said earlier that the town of Rylsk, located some 120 kilometers west of Kursk, had come under Ukrainian fire

Ukrainian unit of machine-gunners disguised as Russian soldiers shoots civilians — captive

According to Bogdan Nikitchenko, the command sends "anyone available" to the Kursk Region

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Kiev Mayor Vitaly Klitschko reported the fires in Solomensky and Shevchenkovsky districts

German police confirm death of four people in Magdeburg Christmas market attack

According to the law enforcement agencies, a total of 205 people suffered injuries, with 41 being in critical condition

Russia to retaliate against Ukrainian strikes, just as Putin said — Kremlin

"Russia’s position is well known, it was voiced by Putin back in St. Petersburg," Dmitry Peskov stressed

Russia’s capture of two DPR settlements paves way for liberation of Kurakhovo — official

Vladimir Rogov also noted that the liberation of Zelenovka and Novy Komar hastens the process of liberating major logistics hubs

Ukraine loses over 300 troops, two Bradley vehicles in Kursk Region in past day

Eight motor vehicles and two electronic warfare stations were also destroyed? the ministy added

Ship with sailors from Syria, Egypt sends distress signal in Kerch Strait

According to the trade union, there are 16 people on board: one Egyptian citizen and 15 Syrians

Putin responds to question about Russia's weakness by quoting Mark Twain

The president noted that Russia had become much stronger over the past two or three years as it became a truly sovereign country

Several HIMARS rockets downed over Kursk Region as Ukraine continues attacks

Acting Governor Alexander Khinshtein added that he was currently in Moscow for a State Council meeting but planned to travel to Rylsk as soon as possible

Mother of missing US reporter thanks Putin for promising help in locating her son

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Arkhangelsk nuclear submarine ready to join Russian Navy — Sevmash Shipyard CEO

Project 885M nuclear-powered submarines carry Oniks and Kalibr-PL cruise missiles as their basic strike weapons

Zelensky actually flips the bird to Trump by insulting Putin, Medvedev says

The politician emphasized that "the president of a major country should be extremely polite and amiable"

Regional authorities confirm deaths of five people in Magdeburg Christmas market attack

A BMW driver ploughed his car into an outdoor Christmas market in downtown Magdeburg on Friday night

Nine-months pregnant woman injured in Ukrainian attack on Russia’s Rylsk

According to the latest data, a total of nine people sought medical assistance after the attack

Turkish president calls on West to stop Israel in Syria before it’s too late

"All international mechanisms need to be effectively employed in order to prevent Israel from exploiting the situation in Syria," Recep Tayyip Erdogan said

Almost 20 drones downed over four Russian regions, Black Sea last night

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Putin shrugs off potential deployment of US THAAD missile defense systems in Ukraine

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According to John Mearsheimer, Russia has become much stronger over the past two to three years because it has managed to become "a truly sovereign country"

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Hungarian PM highlights need to lift sanctions on Russia once Ukraine conflict is resolved

Viktor Obran added, however, that only a couple of EU countries shared Hungary’s position

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Ukraine to halt Russian gas transit on January 1, 2025 — Ukrainian PM

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NATO prepares for war with Russia, Moscow takes these risks into account — senior diplomat

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West should consider Putin's words on Oreshnik missile duel — diplomat

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Ukraine files charges in absentia against Russian army deputy general staff chief

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Ukrainian troops struggling to escape being trapped in Lozovaya in Kharkov region — expert

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Russian forces create bridgehead near Kupyansk-Uzlovoy in Kharkov Region — expert

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Russia calls Israel’s annexation of Golan Heights unacceptable — MFA

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Expert predicts Russia, new Syrian authorities to establish strong ties

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Russia’s Battlegroup South liberates settlement of Ostrovskogo in DPR — Defense Ministry

"The enemy lost up to 285 troops, two armored combat vehicles, two motor vehicles, a D-30 122 mm howitzer, a US-made M119 105 mm howitzers and five field ammunition depots," the ministry added

Russia-US dialogue on Ukraine can be conducted on different platforms — senior diplomat

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TASS has gathered the main information about the incident

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Putin grants Russian citizenship to Italian opera icon Giancarlo del Monaco

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Putin challenges West to try to intercept Oreshnik missile in Kiev

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Russian troops break through Ukrainian defenses near Oskol Reservoir in Kharkov Region

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Ukrainian attack on Kursk Region town kills 6, injures 10 — official

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Possible arrival of new Russian envoy before Trump’s inauguration depends on US — diplomat

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