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Lavrov warns against ‘very bad scenario’ unfolding around Iran

Top Iranian officials have been placed on the US sanctions list

© Mikhail Metzel/TASS

MOSCOW, June 25. /TASS/. Washington’s sanctions against Iran’s supreme leadership signal that events are unfolding under a very bad scenario, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told reporters on Tuesday.

"We are concerned about what is happening. Another round of sanctions, very personal sanctions, which were announced yesterday by US President Donald Trump’s administration against Iran’s supreme leadership are alarming and sending a signal that the situation is unfolding under a very bad scenario," Lavrov stressed.

Read also

Kremlin slams possible introduction of new US sanctions on Iran as illegal

According to Lavrov, this situation is reminiscent of the events in 2003, when then-US Secretary of State Colin Powell arrived at the UN Security Council waving his notorious vial, claiming that Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction and when the US slapped a string of sanctions on then-Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein and Iraq as a whole.

"All of us know the result. In May [2003], the US declared victory of democracy in Iraq. Draw your conclusion on how this democracy has demonstrated itself over the 16 past years," Lavrov stressed.

US President Donald Trump announced on Monday that he had signed an executive order to slap new harsher sanctions on Iran. The restrictive measures are imposed, among others, on the spiritual Supreme Leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. In addition, US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said that later this week Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif would also be placed on Washington's blacklist. The sanctions also targeted eight senior commanders of the Ground Forces of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), including a general responsible for destroying a US spy drone on June 20.

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Military operation in Ukraine

Russia hammers Ukrainian military-industrial facilities, energy sites over week

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Earlier, the Russian Armed Forces carried out a precision strike on Ukraine’s Yuzhmash defense industry facility in retaliation for the use of US-and UK-made weapons for strikes on Russia

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Japanese government refrains from commenting on Russia’s latest hypersonic missile

At the same time, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi once again criticized Russia’s actions in Ukraine

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Pentagon sees possibility of sending more antipersonnel landmines to Ukraine

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Russian troops destroy Ukrainian fortification in LPR’s Makeyevka, strengthen positions

Andrey Marochko noted that the Russian forces' advances along this stretch of the front are facilitated by their control over an earlier seized strategic position, as "the activities of the assault groups are provided with cover," and "the Russian Armed Forces outnumber Ukrainian units"

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The Russian president said that "all the goals we set for ourselves are being achieved"

Russia encircles largest Ukrainian fortification in southern DPR — security services

"The enemy positioned in the fortified area in Velikaya Novoselka in the south of the DPR is already trapped in a kill zone," the source said

Russia’s re-election to UNCITRAL confirms its global reputation — Foreign Ministry

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Lin Jian also reaffirmed Beijing's position on the Ukrainian issue

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Zelensky fine with conflict continuing due to Western help — Slovak PM

Robert Fico pointed out that "more and more evidence show that the West seeks to prolong the war in Ukraine for various reasons"

Putin stays open to contacts to reach 'peaceful track' — Kremlin

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Ukraine should consider territorial concessions to Russia in return for peace — magazine

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Western countries should 'be afraid, tremble' after Putin's statement — lawmaker

Andrey Kartapolov added that the special military operation in Ukraine "will continue its course until all tasks are completed"

Russia to hold informal UN Security Council meeting on unilateral restrictions

It will be held on November 25

North Korean leader warns of growing risk of nuclear war — KCNA

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Japanese lawmaker praises Putin's restraint amid decision to strike deep into Russia

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US Congressman urges to impeach Biden for allowing strikes deep into Russia

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US is now at war with Russia, Ritter says

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Zelensky shook up by Russia’s response to permission to attack it — Lavrov

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Bulgarian politician sees Oreshnik missile strike as wake-up call for peace

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Russia's Oreshnik missile poses significant threat to West, Turkish expert warns

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Putin warns West that Russia can respond to any turn of events

"There will always be an answer," the president said

US missile defense base in Poland long among Russian army’s targets — Foreign Ministry

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Soyuz rocket carrying Progress MS-29 cargo spaceship blasts off from Baikonur spaceport

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US, West have no capabilities to intercept new Russian hypersonic missile — expert

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Biden’s decision to use ATACMS against Russia may 'blow up in America’s face' — US expert

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Press review: Russia fires missile at Ukraine plant and Biden forgives Kiev $4.65 bln debt

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, November 22nd

German politician slams Ukraine’s ‘irresponsible’ strike on Russia with UK-made missiles

"A diplomatic search for balance and mutual understanding should be the goal, instead of further escalation," Alice Weidel said

Biden’s actions on Ukraine meant to 'muck things up' for Trump — Lavrov

According to the Russian foreign minister, such behavior is "typical of the Democrats"

Trump nominates Pam Bondi for US attorney general

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US forces strike Houthi sites with seaborne missiles — TV

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US journalist calls US President Joe Biden’s government 'the fascist state'

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Zelensky to have no input if Russia, US negotiate, ex-Prime Minister says

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Romanian presidential candidate vows to end military aid to Ukraine

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Russian air defense deflects attacks with Western missiles — Putin

"As a result, the goals that the enemy apparently set have not been achieved," the Russian leader said

Biden's decision to use ATACMS on Russia threatens to kill Americans — Tucker Carlson

The journalist also criticized US House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson (a Republican representing the state of Louisiana) for "not even mentioning it in public or in leadership meetings" with factions in the lower house of Congress

US decision to allow missile strikes deep into Russia fuels global escalation — Slovak PM

Robert Fico also rejected the belief that this escalation would not impact "those living far away, in Spain, England, or America"

White House not yet ready to speak on causes of Baltic undersea cable ruptures

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China holds US responsible for disrupted defense ministers' meeting in Laos

Wu Qian stated that the United States must immediately correct its mistakes, "honestly respect China’s main interests, and seek to create favorable conditions for high-level contacts between the military of the two countries"

Russia interested in security of Baltic undersea infrastructure — embassy in Denmark

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West launched missiles targeting Russia’s Bryansk, Kursk Regions — Putin

Russian air defenses repulsed all attacks, the Russian president said