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World oil prices

Price of Brent oil down over 1.3% on ICE

By 4:52 p.m. Moscow time, the Brent price had extended losses to 1.35% and traded at $80.3 a barrel

MOSCOW, March 4. /TASS/. The price of futures contracts of Brent crude oil for May 2026 delivery on London’s ICE has moved to negative territory, falling by more than 1.3%, according to trade data.

As of 3:00 p.m. Moscow time (12:00 p.m. GMT) the Brent price was up by 1.61% at $82.71 a barrel. By 4:00 p.m. Moscow time (1:00 p.m. GMT) the price of Brent had moved to negative territory reaching $81 per barrel (-0.49%).

By 4:52 p.m. Moscow time (1:52 p.m. GMT) the Brent price had extended losses to 1.35% as it traded at $80.3 a barrel.

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Maersk suspends cargo booking to certain Middle East countries

Exceptions will be made for critical foodstuff, medicine and other essential goods, the Denmark-based shipping company said

Russian troops liberate two communities in Ukraine operation over past day — top brass

According to the latest figures, the Ukrainian army lost roughly 1,290 troops in battles with Russian forces in all the frontline areas over the past 24 hours

Oil price possibly reaching $200, declining stocks: situation in economy

The price of futures contracts of Brent crude oil has exceeded $85 per barrel for the first time since mid-2024

Press review: Iran missile risks may expand conflict and US eyes regime change in Cuba

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, March 4th

Iran can wage war with drones almost indefinitely — expert

Dmitry Kuzyakin believes that today only Russia, Ukraine, and Iran have mastered the art of warfare under the new rules

Iraqi authorities won’t allow to drag country into war — prime minister

Mohammed al-Sudani says the government will not tolerate destabilization in the country

US-Israel attacks wound 300 minors in Iran — government

The youngest victim of the brutal Zionist-American attacks on Iran is a one-year-old child

Russian special services have data about Kiev plotting to sabotage gas pipelines — Putin

Moscow has shared this information with Ankara, the Russian leader stated

Pentagon admits unable to intercept all Iranian drones — CNN

According to the report, during a closed-door briefing, US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine acknowledged that drones pose a much bigger problem than previously thought

Russia rejects West’s attempt to deny its plans to provide Ukraine with nukes — diplomat

According to Maria Zakharova, London and Paris "have the capability, incentive and means to commit the indicated international law crime"

Three people injured in Ukrainian drone attack on Saratov Region — governor

Roman Busargin says several civilian facilities were damaged

Kurdistan Democratic Party denies reports of offensive in Iran — TV channel

The party says that the region "will not be a party to the conflict in this war"

Zelensky sees no signals from US for new round of negotiations on Ukraine

On Monday, Zelensky said the new round of talks between Russia, the US, and Ukraine scheduled for March 5-6 has not yet been canceled

Putin holds Kremlin meeting with Hungary’s top diplomat

Peter Szijjarto has already met with Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov

IOC should clarify its stance on suspension of Russian athletes — presidential spokesman

The IOC announced on Tuesday that sports must remain a unifying force in a world shaken by conflicts, divisions and tragedies

Iranian forces claim responsibility for attack on Ben Gurion Airport — press release

The IRGC also reported having hit the Israeli Defense Ministry building

Air defenses destroy 34 Ukrainian UAVs over Russian regions within four-hour period

In particular, 21 UAVs were intercepted over the Black Sea

Explosions heard in Tehran and Tabriz — agency

This information reported NourNews agency

Russia ready to boost oil supplies to China, India — Novak

Russian oil is in demand, the deputy prime minister noted

Press review: Israel opens second front as Trump shows no clear Iran strategy outlook

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, March 3rd

US destroys over 20 Iranian vessels — Pentagon

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine reported that Iran's major naval presence in the theater was neutralized

Impact on GDP and $779 mln in one day - what we know about cost of Iran attack for US

According to Anadolu, the largest expense during the first day was the launch of Tomahawk missiles

Casualties from Iranian attacks on UAE up to 78 — Defense Ministry

No Russians were hurt

Two sailors injured in attack on Russian gas tanker — transport ministry

They were taken off the ship by a lifeboat and taken to a hospital in Benghazi

Mossad conducts overnight ground operation in Iran — Al Arabiya

According to the TV channel, the operation was carried out by Mossad operatives with the support of special forces

Israel attacked Saudi Aramco’s refinery in false flag operation — news agency

According to the agency's source, the port of Fujairah in the UAE is one of the next targets of Israelis

Israeli PM suspects White House of conducting separate talks with Tehran — TV

According to the sources cited by Channel 12, Benjamin Netanyahu asked the White House for clarification on this matter

Slovakia approves termination of electricity supplies agreement with Ukraine

The Slovak Finance Minister is recommended to take steps in respect of SEPS company for immediate termination of the agreement between SEPS and Ukrenergo

Putin raises topic of oil supplies to Hungary at meeting with Szijjarto

Not everything depends on Russia on this matter but Russia has always been the reliable supplier, the president stressed

Chaos in Middle East, nuclear arms race provocation: Russian MFA’s statements

Maria Zakharova emphasized that the crisis in the Middle East "has no military solution"

Russian oil supplies to India may return to 1.5 mbd due to Middle East crisis

Analyst Sergey Kaufman noted that in the event of a protracted conflict in the Middle East, the US could be interested in allowing more Russian oil into India and overall on the global market to avoid excessively raising prices

New Middle East war more dangerous than nuclear war — analyst

According to Dmitry Kuzyakin, the world is witnessing the beginning of the end of the old paradigm of warfare

Iran’s foreign policy to continue relying on Khamenei’s legacy — envoy to Russia

Kazem Jalali called Iran's Supreme Leader a great architect

Cargo ship hit by missiles near Strait of Hormuz — news agency

The cargo crew comprising 24 people was evacuated

Idlib settlement can be achieved on southern de-escalation zone pattern — diplomat

The situation in Idlib is very difficult, it has the biggest concentration of militants and terrorists, Russian Ambassador in Damascus Alexander Kinshchak said

US has no problems with Russia and China stemming from Iran war, says Pentagon chief

According to Pete Hegseth, he has no message for Russia and China on this issue

Ukrainian army concerned about munitions shortage amid Iran crisis — military expert

Russian intelligence obtained the information from several intercepted conversations between Ukrainian soldiers

Inflation situation developing better than projected — Putin

"This has already allowed starting a cautious easing of the monetary policy," the Russian president said

Russian authorities daily step up country’s positions in spite of West’s pressure — Lavrov

According to Russian Foreign Minister, "all the countries that experience the negative effect of the selfish policy carried out by the United States and its satellites have an objective need to reconfigure their economic relations"

Russia to work with reliable counterparties in energy supplies

Russia has always been and remains a reliable supplier of energy resources, President said

Iran to continue destroying enemy bases within reach of its forces — diplomat

Iranian Ambassador to Belarus Alireza Sanei stressed that "the people and the Armed Forces of Iran are resolute to continue war until the victory"

Over 250 flights canceled between Russia, Middle East — Economy Minister

The airspace of ten countries in the Middle East is being closed since February 28

UN committee points out numerous human rights issues in US – Russian Foreign Ministry

The Russian Foreign Ministry noted that the Human Rights Committee has once again “debunked the myth of the infallible reputation” of the United States

Russian troops strike Ukrainian long-range UAV launch sites over past day

The Ukrainian army lost roughly 1,150 troops in battles with Russian forces in all the frontline areas over the past 24 hours

IN BRIEF: On situation around Druzhba oil pipeline

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico stated that the EC is pressuring Ukraine to resume supplies

Iran denies information about alleged readiness to discuss ceasefire

The official stressed that Iran would "continue without hesitation" to respond to strikes by the Israeli and US armed forces

Iran tried to avoid war with US, Israel through diplomacy — president

Masoud Pezeshkian stressed that US-Israeli aggression left Iran no choice but to defend itself

Hungary eyes Druzhba pipeline blocking by Kiev political — Szijjarto

The Hungarian top diplomat emphasized that Budapest was interested in gas and hydrocarbons supplies to continue reliably and stably as before

Islamic Resistance in Iraq carried out 27 operations against US military bases on March 3

Militants of the Islamic Resistance in Iraq used dozens of drones and missiles against enemy bases in Iraq and the region

US does not currently plan to send troops to Iran, but does not rule it out — White House

They're not part of the plan for this operation at this time, White House Spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said

United States to cut off trade with Spain — Trump

The US president recalled that Spain had been the only NATO country to refuse to increase defense expenditures to 5% of the GDP

Aggression against Iran and US plans for other countries: Lavrov’ statements

According to the top Russian diplomat, Moscow will use all of its capabilities, including in its relations with Tehran, to ensure that the problem in the Middle East "does not escalate further and is resolved"

US Senate rejects prohibiting use of force against Iran without congressional approval

During the procedural vote, 47 supported and 52 opposed the resolution

Power supply restored in central Iraq — energy company

The supply was discontinued several hours ago due to a lack of gas shipments to a power plant in the southern governorate of Basra

China expresses resolute protest to Britain over ‘anti-China manipulation’

Earlier, Scotland Yard reported that counter-terrorism officers had detained three men on suspicion of working for Chinese intelligence

Gas prices in Europe spiked due to more solvent customers — Putin

The main suppliers of gas did not reduce their volumes, the president noted

US presidential advisers urge declaring victory over Iran as soon as possible — CNN

The officials fear that the US will be drawn into a protracted war

Iran’s top security official puts US death toll from retaliatory Iranian strikes at 500

Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani emphasized that the martyrdom of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei would exact a heavy price from the enemy

Drone strikes bridge linking Bahrain and Saudi Arabia

The United States could have used this transportation link to evacuate its military personnel, the news agency said

Russian forces destroy 20 pieces of Ukrainian equipment on right bank of Dnieper over week

"Over the past week, [the Russian] artillery and attack drones destroyed and put out of action about 20 units of various military equipment and a large number of Ukrainian personnel stationed on the right bank of the Dnieper River," the ministry said

UK medical contingents in Ukraine to be considered targets by Russian forces — diplomat

On February 24, Daily Express reported information about the presence of military medical specialists, including surgeons, physiotherapists, and nurses from the United Kingdom in Ukraine

Refusal to negotiate, readiness for endless war — statements from Iranian representatives

Iran’s ambassador to Uzbekistan Mohammad Ali Eskandari opined that Turkey and Qatar would be the next victims of Israel and the US after Iran

Russian Parliament to vote on online fake news bill

Under the bill violations of the ban will be interpreted as administrative offenses punishable with fines under the Code of Administrative Offenses

Central part of Israel shelled twice in half hour

The Israeli army said the missiles from Lebanon had been intercepted

Qatar to need at least one month to return to previous LNG production volumes — Reuters

According to sources, the facility in Ras Laffan will need at least two weeks to restart production

Press review: Iran derails US‑Israeli plans while Middle East conflict boosts oil and gold

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, March 2nd

Russian Security Council blames London for escalation between Pakistan, Afghanistan

The Security Council is concerned about the situation and has called for conflicts to be settled peacefully

Ukrainian attack against Russian gas carrier is terrorist act — Putin

It is not the first time already when we face things of such kind, Russian President said

FACTBOX: What is known about tankers’ situation after closure of the Strait of Hormuz

Ten oil tankers attempting to pass the strait have already been struck by missiles and drones

Russian stock indices in the red on Wednesday — market data

The yuan added ten kopecks to reach 11.27 rubles

US aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln moved away from Iran after strike — IRGC

The US Central Command reported that the carrier came under fire but was not hit

Middle Eastern countries express interest in Kalashnikov drones

The Legioner (Legionnaire), a modern vertical takeoff and landing UAV, attracted the most interest from potential Middle Eastern customers, the company said

Belarus, Kazakhstan, Russia to ratify EaEU treaty this autumn

Iran may respond to US asymmetrically in months — political scientist

Farhad Ibragimov noted that any casualties resulting from a future escalation would likely be seen in the United States as a direct consequence of America's decision to initiate military action

Russia can leave EU gas market earlier — Putin

Other markets now open, President said

Iranian forces launch missile strike on anti-Iranian groups in Iraqi Kurdistan — statement

The IRGC fulfilled three missile strikes

Bahraini aluminum producer goes to force majeure — Reuters

The Alba plant in Bahrain is one of the largest aluminum producers

Putin to instruct Cabinet to consider refocusing to more beneficial gas markets

I will certainly instruct the government to explore this matter together with our companies, Russian President said

Airlines carry almost 6,000 passengers from Middle East to Russia on March 2, 3

The plan is to bring another 7,100 people on 34 flights on March 4

Indiscriminate use of military force in Middle East unacceptable — Chinese MFA

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi expressed China's appreciation for Saudi Arabia's restraint and its ongoing commitment to peaceful conflict resolution

US submarine sinks Iranian warship off Sri Lanka’s coast — Reuters

According to the agency, 79 people were rescued, while more than 100 sailors remain missing

Bank of Russia raises dollar exchange rate to 77.8 rubles for March 5

The official yuan exchange rate has been raised by 2.78 kopecks to 11.25 rubles

Iran only targeting US, Israeli targets, top diplomat tells his Turkish counterpart

Abbas Araghchi says the attacks are directed at targets used for "aggressive operations against Iran"

US could slow PAC-3 missile supplies to Ukraine due to Mideast conflict — BZ

The publication notes that while the world’s eyes are on Iran, Israel and the Persian Gulf countries in recent days

At least 78 injured in strike on Iranian frigate off Sri Lanka — Reuters

According to the agency, another 101 people are believed to be missing

FACTBOX: What we know about earthquake near Russia’s Black Sea resort of Sochi

The epicenter of the tremors was located 21 km offshore from the city of Sochi

Pentagon confident Iran can no longer carry out mass missile launches

Iran's theater ballistic missile shots fired down 86% from the first day of fighting, US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth stated

Russian gas carrier attacked in Mediterranean Sea by Ukrainian unmanned boats

All 30 crew members were rescued

Iran strikes IDF General Staff building three times — advisor to IRGC commander

An attack was also made on one of the offices of Prime Minister of the Jewish state, Benjamin Netanyahu

Yemeni Houthis ready for military action against Israel in defense of Iran — Russian MFA

Maria Zakharova underscored the clear risk of the conflict spreading further, warning that "the ongoing US and Israeli aggression against Iran could trigger a broader armed confrontation across the Middle East"

Iran;s cabinet developed plan for wartime governance in advance — agency

According to the publication, the plan was personally approved by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, who granted all departments the necessary powers for the new realities

Hungary does not want to be involved in conflict, energy war — Szijjarto

The minister emphasized that energy security is the most important for Hungary in current difficult conflict times

Nearly all neo-Nazis’ defenses around Mariupol eliminated, Russian military reports

The successful operation to unblock the city has allowed for opening humanitarian corridors starting from 15:00 and beginning the mass evacuation of civilians who have for a long time been kept hostage by the neo-Nazis

FACTBOX: What we know about attack on Russian gas carrier in Mediterranean Sea

The Transport Ministry described the attack as an act of international terrorism and maritime piracy

Maersk suspends cargo booking to certain Middle East countries

Exceptions will be made for critical foodstuff, medicine and other essential goods, the Denmark-based shipping company said

Potential successor to Khamenei, situation at US bases: Middle East conflict

Iran damaged communications and radar equipment on at least seven US military facilities in the Middle East during the first three days of hostilities

Russia to take EU militarization into account in upgrading all types of weapons — diplomat

According to Maria Zakharova, the EU is currently undergoing a transformation into "an aggressive, intractable, conflict-minded, impoverished, and self-defeating international player"

Top Russian diplomat arrives in New York for UN General Assembly

Sergey Lavrov will take part in several bilateral and multilateral high-level meetings

Putin to hold talks with president of Central African Republic

The officials plan to discuss the cooperation in politics, trade, economy, and humanitarian affairs

Iran permitted two ships of friendly countries to pass through Strait of Hormuz

Iran hit more than ten ships, including tankers, in the Strait of Hormuz since the moment when the US and Israel attacked it on February 28

Russian MFA comments on possible 'nuclear collaboration' between European countries'

Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova emphasized that the attitudes of the countries bordering the region and beyond are important