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European stock markets close in the red on Thursday

The Paris CAC 40 closed at 8,030.90 points, down 1.68%

MOSCOW, March 5. /TASS/. Major European stock indexes ended today’s trading session lower amid prevailing geopolitical conditions, according to market data.

The Paris CAC 40 closed at 8,030.90 points, down 1.68%. Meanwhile, Frankfurt’s DAX settled at 23,815.75 points, falling 1.61%.

The UK's benchmark FTSE 100 ended the day at 10,413.94 points (-1.45%), while Italy’s FTSE MIB (Milano Italia Borsa Index) dropped 1.71% to 44,560.63 points. Meanwhile, the STOXX Europe Aerospace & Defense index declined by 1.46%, reaching 5,784.96 points.

The United States and Israel launched a large-scale military operation against Iran on February 28. Major Iranian cities, including Tehran, were struck. The White House justified the attack by citing alleged missile and nuclear threats from Iran. As a result of the strikes, Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and several other senior figures in the leadership of the Islamic Republic were killed.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced a retaliatory operation, targeting sites in Israel. US military bases in Bahrain, Jordan, Qatar, Kuwait, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia were also hit.

World oil prices

Brent crude surges over 5% on ICE, WTI jumps more than 8% on NYMEX

As of 09:26 p.m. Moscow time, Brent was trading up 5.26% at $85.68 per barrel

Iran expresses concern regarding incident in Nakhchivan — Azerbaijani foreign minister

The Iranian side and the military have begun an investigation into this incident

Injured people in Saratov Region, 76 Ukrainian UAVs attacking Russian regions overnight

Three people were injured in a Ukrainian UAV attack on the southern Saratov Region

Russian Battlegroup East’s T-80BVM tank withstands 18 hits from Ukrainian drones

The tank commander with the battlegroup, call sign "Aza," added that the tank completed its assigned missions

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

Bahraini aluminum producer goes to force majeure — Reuters

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

Ukraine’s army attacks Russia’s Belgorod Region with nearly 170 UAVs over past day

Ukraine’s military also attacked Russia’s borderline Belgorod Region with over 20 munitions in the past 24 hours

US to regret sinking Iranian frigate in international waters — top diplomat

There were about 130 sailors about the sunken frigate, Abbas Araghchi added

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

The IRGC fulfilled three missile strikes

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"

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

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

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

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

US scrambles to find resources to continue its Iran war for at least 100 days — Politico

Gerald Feierstein, a former senior US diplomat, called the war "a completely ad hoc operation that nobody actually understood or believed that military action was imminent"

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

NATO must turn its focus northward, Canada’s top diplomat says

According to Anita Anand, "there is global competition in the Arctic"

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

Air strikes carried out against pro-Iranian groups in Iraq — special services

There is no information about casualties among the fighters

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

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

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

The cargo crew comprising 24 people was evacuated

Chinese Army to focus on maintaining global strategic balance — document

The document also envisages strengthening strategic capabilities in the protection of national sovereignty, security and development interests "amid absolute party control over the Army"

Gas price in Europe exceeded $650 after Putin’s remarks on ending EU supplies

The price of the April futures contract at the TTF hub in the Netherlands rose to about $655 per 1,000 cubic meters, or 54.615 euro per MWh

Kurds preparing for an offensive against Iran with support from Mossad, CIA — Axios

According to the report, those militias "have thousands of soldiers" along the border between Iraq and Iran

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

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

US wants Ukraine's drone interceptors due to shortage of Patriot missiles — FT

According to the newspaper, Gulf countries are using expensive Patriot missiles to shoot down Iranian drones

Iran hits US oil tanker in northern Persian Gulf — IRGC

The Strait of Hormuz is under Iran’s control and any vessels affiliated with the United States or Israel will be banned from passing through it, the IRGC warned

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

Russian government to soon discuss halting gas exports to Europe — Deputy PM Novak

Alexander Novak said Russian gas accounted for more than 12% of European supply

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

Hezbollah launches dozens of missiles on Israeli settlements in Upper Galilee

Shia units repelled an Israeli attempt to penetrate in southern Lebanon near Ad-Duhairah and inflicted losses on enemy troops and equipment

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

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

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

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

Russian troops fighting for Popasnoye near Konstantinovka in DPR — expert

South of Verolyubovka, the Russian forces managed to dislodge Ukrainian troops from their positions, Andrey Marochko said

Mideast crisis to worsen as Iran's proxies turn active — former Russian ambassador to Iran

Alexander Maryasov highlighted the impact of the assassination of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, describing it as a pivotal event that has intensified anti-American and anti-Israeli sentiments within Iran

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 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"

Iran’s armed forces deny closing Strait of Hormuz

Iran continues to cooperate with vessels passing through it in accordance with international protocols, Kioumars Heydari, the deputy commander of the Khatam-al Anbiya Central Headquarters of the armed forces of the Islamic Republic, 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

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"

Russia can leave EU gas market earlier — Putin

Other markets now open, President said

War of depletion with uncertain timeframe: Experts, media on US attack against Iran

A recent drafting of additional military specialists points to the fact that the US administration was "not fully prepared for the consequences" of the conflict

Ukraine refuses to provide EU inspectors access to Druzhba pipeline — Politico

Ukraine’s government insists it needs time to assess the scale of damage to the oil pipeline

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"

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 receives no requests for assistance, weapons supplies from Iran — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov noted that Russia's consistent position is well-known to everyone

Iran strikes Israel’s Ben Gurion airport, airbase — IRGC

The Khorramshahr 4 heavy missiles of the IRGC Aerospace Force, with a 1-ton warhead, were launched at dawn today

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

West’s war against Russia, NATO’s role in Middle East war: Lavrov’s statements

Russia sees no reason to suspect that the negotiations on the Ukrainian settlement with the participation of the US are a "smokescreen", the top diplomat said

Iran depleting missile stocks of US, its allies with cheap drones — newspaper

According to a report cited by The New York Times, it will take years for factories to produce enough interceptor missiles

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

Backbone of Ukrainian forces is made up of mobilized troops — expert

According to Sergey Khairudinov, the most motivated units are assigned to the most critical and difficult areas, as well as breakthroughs

Russia urges joint efforts to stop conflict around Iran, calls for UN SC resolution

A conversation about the principles of the world order is overdue, and the United Nations could consider initiating such a discussion, the minister noted

Russia sees no reason to suspect Ukraine talks with US may be cover-up — Lavrov

"We see no such reason because we are maintaining direct contact with American colleagues," the Russian top diplomat stated

IN BRIEF: On situation around Druzhba oil pipeline

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

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

Dmitriev points to inevitability of oil price above $100 per barrel

Price for actual delivered oil in Asia already exceeds $90 a barrel for most types, Chief Executive Officer of Russian Direct Investment Fund Kirill Dmitriev noted

Russia to support Asia by halting LNG supplies to Europe — expert

This is more likely to refer to redirecting LNG supplies, rather than pipe gas, Sergey Kaufman said

Russian troops liberate Yarovaya community in Donetsk region over past day — top brass

According to the latest figures, the Ukrainian army lost roughly 1,215 troops in battles with Russian forces in all the frontline areas over the past 24 hours

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

The IRGC also reported having hit the Israeli Defense Ministry building

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

Iran strikes US military headquarters near airport in Abu Dhabi — state broadcaster

The broadcaster reported of multiple explosions heard near the airport

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

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

Press review: US could use Kurds against Iran as NATO unwilling to drop expansion plans

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, March 5th

'Wild' statements by Israel, Europe’s disregard for NPT: Russian envoy's remarks

According to Mikhail Ulyanov, Russia will address European officials’ irresponsible statements regarding nuclear weapons before the International Atomic Energy Agency

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

IN BRIEF: On further developments around Druzhba oil pipeline

Hungary believes Zelensky is blackmailing Budapest by blocking oil supplies through the Druzhba pipeline

Paris to use Cold War uranium, plutonium reserves for new warheads — top defense official

Defense Minister Catherine Vautrin says that the expansion of nuclear arsenal is included in the budget

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

China to carry out resolute strikes against separatists in Taiwan — report

According to the report, the People's Republic of China will promote peaceful development across the Taiwan Strait

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

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

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"

Orban faces real danger from Kiev — Duma deputy

Alexey Chepa noted that the Ukrainian special services had already been involved in attempts on the lives of world leaders

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

War in Iran should not cause fluctuations in fuel prices in Russia — Kremlin

The government and the Federal Antimonopoly Service are monitoring the situation with fuel prices in the country, Dmitry Peskov noted

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

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

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

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"

Canada may harm its own security as it attempts to bring NATO to Arctic — Russian diplomat

"Russia is a self-sufficient Arctic state and possesses in the northern latitudes the full range of capabilities necessary to respond to any challenges, regardless of where they may originate," Oleg Stepanov noted

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

Eighty-seven bodies recovered from Iranian ship sunk off Sri Lankan coast

According to the Iranian authorities, there were about 130 sailors aboard the ship

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

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

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

Saudi Arabia has two weeks to avoid cutting oil output — FT

According to the publication, major producing countries in the Gulf must resume exports before their oil storage facilities are full

North Korea to build two destroyers per year, equip Navy with nuke weapons — Kim Jong-un

The country's leader also noted that the Choe Choe Hyon’s trials are proceeding successfully

Collapse of security framework, aggression against Iran — Shoigu's statements

The Russian Security Council Secretary called the US and Israeli aggression against Iran an unprecedented disregard for international law

West’s real threat to nuclear non-proliferation: statements by Russian envoy

Double standards are unacceptable in nuclear and physical nuclear security, Russia’s Permanent Representative at International Organizations in Vienna Mikhail Ulyanov stressed

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

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

Russia, Ukraine to hold another prisoner of war exchange on March 6 — MFA

The swap took place after a humanitarian deal brokered by the United Arab Emirates, the Russian Foreign Ministry said

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

Israel takes Russia’s concerns about Iran’s Bushehr nuke plant into account — envoy

"Israel's target is only one, and that is the Iranian regime’s apparatus," Israeli Ambassador to Moscow Oded Joseph said

Israel hits ballistic missile storage sites in Tehran

The IDF also struck several launch sites of long-range ballistic missiles

Europe facing new energy crisis over events in Middle East — FT

According to the newspaper, fiercer competition for LNG supplies comes as a particularly cold winter has depleted gas stocks in Europe

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

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

Roman Busargin says several civilian facilities were damaged

IN BRIEF: What is known about IAEA's adoption of pro-Ukrainian resolution

Russia, the United States, China, and Niger voted against the resolution