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Voting at Iran’s runoff presidential election over election headquarters

Reformist candidate Masoud Pezeshkian and conservative contender Saeed Jalili are vying for the presidential office

DUBAI, July 6. /TASS/. The voting at the runoff presidential election in Iran has been finished, Mohsen Eslami, the spokesperson for Iran's Election Headquarters, said.

"The voting is over. Hence, the election campaign is finished," he told the IRIB television channel.

Polling stations were supposed to close at six in the evening but the voting time was extended three times, until the midnight, because of the hot weather, with air temperatures rising to 40 degrees Celsius in Tehran and even up to 51 degrees in southern areas.

Reformist candidate Masoud Pezeshkian and conservative contender Saeed Jalili are vying for the presidential office. Neither of them managed to win more than 50% of the vote in the fist round of voting.

On June 28, Iran held an early presidential election following the death of President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash.

Middle East conflict

Hezbollah says it won’t let Israel get entrenched in southern Lebanon — report

"Our forces are ready for any ground offensive," Mahmoud Kamati, a member of Hezbollah’s political council, said

Russian drone wipes out Ukrainian UAV operator crew, artillery piece in Sumy Region

The Russian Defense Ministry also posted footage showing the destruction of the targets

Russia to deliver remaining S-400 air defense systems to India in 2024 — official

According to The New Indian Express, the delivered systems have already been deployed along India’s borders with China and Pakistan

Europe's military potential inferior to Russia's — Stoltenberg

Jens Stoltenberg complained that the European countries now had too few weapons, equipment and soldiers in a state of high readiness for a potential conflict

Ukrainian army loses over 20,000 troops during incursion into Kursk Region

According to the Defense Ministry, since the beginning of hostilities in the Kursk Region, the Russian Armed Forces have also destroyed 580 Ukrainian motor vehicles, 165 artillery pieces and 33 multiple rocket launchers

Russian Defense Ministry announces liberation of Ugledar in Donetsk People’s Republic

According to the statement, the result was achieved due to "decisive actions by units of the battlegroup East"

Putin requests developing expansion of climate cooperation in BRICS

The cabinet is also to develop mutual recognition of tools and technologies in this field by BRICS nations

Russia does not exclude Europe from Eurasia’s security dialogue — Lavrov

The top Russian diplomat drew attention to the fact that "the degradation of the military and political situation caused by the course of the collective West towards undermining the sovereign development of the continent's leading powers cannot in itself be acceptable to responsible Eurasian states"

Russia invites UN secretary-general to attend BRICS summit in Kazan

According to the statement, the UN expects that important agreements will be reached at the summit and that it will "give the necessary forward momentum to ensure that the goals set out in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development" are implemented

Some 115 civilians remain in Ugledar, they receive all necessary assistance — DPR head

Denis Pushilin added that the DPR's specialized agencies would later provide assistance to the civilians remaining in the city

Bold Russian jet maneuver near Alaska shows who ‘rules the roost’ — analyst

Accordnig to the expert, "It's not so much about professionalism as the extreme courage"

Russia’s National Wealth Fund reaches around $142.58 bln as of August 1

At the same time, the volume of liquid assets of the Fund as of August 1 amounted to 4.665 trillion rubles ($54.01 bln), an increase of about 61.8 bln rubles ($715.58 mln) in comparison with the previous month

Handlers from Washington, London prohibit Kiev to conclude peace — FSB chief

On the other hand, "[Ukrainian President Vladimir] Zelensky who has cancelled the presidential election in the country understands himself that he can remain in power only if hostilities continue," Alexander Bortnikov said

Foreign mercenaries in Ukraine will not have POW status — Russian military

Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov warned that all foreign mercenaries, detained in Ukraine, would be brought to justice on criminal charges

US prevents UN Security Council from adopting statement on Nord Stream — Russian envoy

Vasily Nebenzya noted that interference from the West does not reduce Russia's determination to establish the truth

US, UK stop at nothing to preserve fleeting hegemony — FSB

According to Alexander Bortnikov, "in order to weaken and contain the competition, Washington and London intentionally undermine the system of international law and multilateral diplomacy, engaging all available instruments of economic and technological blockade; they carry out and systematically encourage propaganda directed at dehumanizing the population of unwanted countries"

Trump says US will go to hell if he loses presidential election

The US will hold a presidential election on November 5

Press review: Russia urges Israel to see reason and NATO at wits end on how to help Kiev

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

Deployment of foreign military bases in Afghanistan unacceptable — Lavrov

"History proves that the projection of power by external players in this region only serves to aggravate its problems," the top Russian diplomat noted

US chooses not to discuss Kiev’s attack on Kursk with Russia — Russian ambassador

"There was no compassion, not a single word of sympathy," Anatoly Antonov said

Israeli air force intercepts aircraft that violated country’s airspace — IDF

Other details of the incident are unknown at this point

Arab League to view invasion into Lebanon as infringement on Arab national security

Participants of the emergency meeting underscored their "full solidarity with Lebanon in the face of this aggression" and called upon international organizations to speed up their aid deliveries to the country

Ukrainian snipers in Ugledar worked under NATO techniques — sniper

It is reported that in practice, the specifics of the Western principle of snipers’ operation do not stand out any particularly and do not make this category of fighters any special

Invitation of Taliban to Kazan summit depends on all BRICS members — diplomat

"Russia cannot unilaterally invite other states without the consent of its partners," Zamir Kabulov added

More than 200,000 Russians migrated from Gmail to Xmail in September

During the last week, Xmail service users created accounts and transferred data by 25% more than a week earlier, the company noted

Lebanon fires nearly 230 projectiles into Israel over day — army

"The IDF will continue to operate against the threat of the Hezbollah terrorist organization, in defense of the State of Israel and its residents," the press service added

Discord faces fine of up to $42,864 for violating the law on self-regulation

Since February 2021, Russia has had a law on self-regulation of social networks, which requires platforms to independently identify and block illegal content

Russia's Pantsir to have no problems with shooting down F-16 fighter jet — Rostec

Earlier this year, the manufacturers said that the Pantsir system successfully coped with the destruction of both ATACMS ballistic missiles and Storm Shadow cruise missiles in the special operation

Russia joins World Bank’s B-Ready project despite West’s opposition — executive director

Roman Marshavin commented on the WB’s publication of the first report within the B-Ready project that replaced the annual study Doing Business, which was canceled in September 2021 due to allegations of impropriety

Ukraine trains terrorists in Syria in coordination with US — Lavrov

The top Russian diplomat noted that the Western coalition continues to carry out strikes in Syria, "effectively encouraging the Kiev regime to engage in similar terrorist activities in Russian regions, where civilians and civilian infrastructure are targeted with direct support from the West"

Gazprom to start construction of high pressure gas pipeline in 2025

Deputy CEO Oleg Aksyutin also noted prospects of implementing the technology of pipelines drying with the use of ultra-high frequencies

Russian troops seize control of fortifications in DPR's Ugledar

The DPR head pointed out that Ugledar was important for the Ukrainian military because its high-rise buildings made it possible to set up observation posts and a system of repeaters

Press review: Is Biden backing away from Ukraine and Moscow seeks original Iran nuke deal

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, December 14th

US carries out strikes on 15 targets in Yemen — CENTCOM

"These targets included Houthi offensive military capabilities," the US Central Command said

Lavrov sees US trying to 'insert' itself into Afghan peace process

The foreign minister emphasized that Russia has been consistently pursuing "a line to assist in solving the numerous ongoing problems of Afghanistan, developing for this purpose both the Moscow Format and the mechanism of meetings of neighboring countries"

Violators of UNSC Resolution 1701 on Lebanon must face harsh reprisals — Lavrov

Russian Foreign Minister called on the sides "to immediately cease hostilities, which would prevent further bloodshed"

Friendly countries showing interest in Russian analog of Starlink — minister

Maksut Shadaev expressed hope that the constellation would have the huge export potential

One thousand sappers, 12 months needed to demine Ugledar — expert

According to Andrey Shenaurin, a great deal will depend on the real conditions on the ground, including the absence of hostilities

Russian aircraft destroy Ukraine’s Buk missile system - Defense Ministry

According to the ministry, the targets were destroyed by air-to-surface missiles

Putin open for meeting with Biden, but no talks on this issue as of yet — Kremlin

"There have been no talks on this issue and as of today, at this moment, there are no prerequisites for it," Dmitry Peskov said

Russia's warning has been heard in most Western capitals — intelligence chief

Sergey Naryshkin pointed out that speculations about the possibility of crossing Russia's red lines on the issue of strikes with long-range Western weapons was a great delusion

Press review: Israeli reprisal against Iran looms and Iraq bets on Russia amid US exit

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, October 3rd

Possible permission to strike deep inside Russia paves way to nuclear conflict — diplomat

In Antonov’s opinion, Russia needs to do its best to avert a nuclear war, as there can be no winners in this kind of a standoff

US played key role in ousting Ukrainian president in 2014, researcher says

Jeffrey Sachs noted that the course of NATO expansion to Ukraine and Georgia was adopted by US President George Bush Jr. back in 2008

Russia, Azerbaijan foil provocation against Russian diplomat — intelligence chief

"Cooperation between the Foreign Intelligence Service and our Azerbaijani counterparts largely stems from the strategic partnership between the two states, as well as the historical, fraternal ties between our peoples," Sergey Naryshkin stressed

Ukraine’s 'International Legion' includes 18,000 militants from 85 countries — FSB chief

According to Alexander Bortnikov, the continued deployment of foreign mercenaries and militants from international terrorist organizations confirms the West’s determination to crank up the intensity of military actions

Russian Emergencies Ministry aircraft evacuates 60 citizens from Beirut

Family members of the Russian Embassy staff, namely children and women, including those in their last terms, boarded the Il-76 airplane after it unloaded humanitarian aid

Biden’s administration pushes world towards nuclear catastrophe — Russian ambassador

Anatoly Antonov also said he had tried to explain the essence of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s proposed amendments to the Russian nuclear doctrine to officials in the White House and the Department of State

Provocations against Belarus draw Baltic states, Poland into conflict, says FSB chief

The actions by the Kiev regime and its handlers at the Belarusian borders are clearly inflammatory, Alexander Bortnikov stressed

Capture of Ugledar to let Russian army successfully operate in Zaporozhye Region — expert

Ugledar is an important logistical hub in the DPR

Turkish leader confirms participation in BRICS summit in Kazan — senior Russian diplomat

According to Sergey Ryabkov, Russia keeps Turkey’s position on Ukraine in mind

Iran-Russia treaty on comprehensive cooperation ready for signing — ambassador

According to Kazem Jalali, the document was pre-approved by the presidents of both countries

Russia ready for long-term confrontation with US — Deputy Foreign Minister

"We are sending warning signals to our opponent so that they don’t underestimate our determination," Sergey Ryabkov said

Gazprom delivering 42.4 mln cubic meters of gas to Europe through Ukraine via Sudzha

The transit line through Ukraine remains the only route for Russian gas supplies to western and central European countries

Afghanistan hopes to raise level of diplomatic ties with Russia — acting Foreign Minister

Earlier on Friday, Director of the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) Alexander Bortnikov announced that the work to remove the Taliban movement from the list of terrorist organizations is in the final stages in Russia

Kiev’s attack on Kursk Region failed to divert Russian forces from Donbass — diplomat

"Kiev didn’t make it a secret that they intended this step to improve their own negotiating positions in the future, which Mikhail Podolyak, an adviser to the chief of staff at Zelensky's office, stated on August 8 without any hesitation," Maria Zakharova stressed

Conflict US escalating with Russia may 'destroy the entire world' — Tucker Carlson

"In a year, no one could be alive if we continue sleep-walking into a wider war with Russia," the reporter emphasized

Ukraine's losses: situation in Kursk Region

Russian troops started demining the territories of the Kursk Region

Tajikistan, Russia considering possibility of joint oil fields development

Tajik Prime Minister Qohir Rasulzoda noted that his country took into account the considerations of the Russian colleagues regarding special requirements and the profitability of launching joint activities in the field development

Gas supplies to neighboring countries will provide additional growth in Russian exports

Alexey Belogoryev's presentation showed that on current trends, Russian gas exports in 2030 will remain 14% below the 2021 level, but will grow 1.5-fold compared to 2023

Pink Floyd founder Waters confesses now he has more respect for Putin — Daily Telegraph

Russia’s liberating Ugledar allows for encirclement of Kurakhovo — expert

The Russian forces liberated Ugledar on October 3

If Israel, US go to war with Iran, serious global crisis to follow — Turkish expert

Abdullah Agar said that Israel has received clear reasons for a strike on Iran together with the US, which until now "supported Israel only in the context of the principles and concepts of defense"

Ugledar served as Ukraine’s stronghold on Russia’s way to further liberate Kurakhovo

"The capture of the fortified areas would enable to secure further approaches to Mariupol and railroad communications in the south of the DPR," the source reported

Dutch citizen remanded in custody in Moscow on charges of assaulting police officer

Harry Johannes van Wurden should be taken into custody for two months, until December 3

Russia’s export duty on wheat to be $13.95 per metric ton from October 9

The export duty rate for wheat and meslin is calculated based on an indicative price of $213.4 per metric ton, for barley - at a price of $184.5 per metric ton, and for corn - $222.3 per metric ton

Iran attacked Mossad headquarters, two Israeli airbases, says chief of General Staff

Iran also attacked radars of anti-missile systems and clusters of Israeli tanks

West destroying Russian projectiles over Ukraine would involve US in war — Pentagon

Washington believes that Kiev can defend itself, Pentagon Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh said

Hezbollah says it won’t let Israel get entrenched in southern Lebanon — report

"Our forces are ready for any ground offensive," Mahmoud Kamati, a member of Hezbollah’s political council, said

Ukrainian forces try to slow Russian advance near liberated Ugledar — analyst

On Thursday, the Russian Defense Ministry announced the liberation of Ugledar from the Ukrainian military

Removal of Taliban from list of terrorists already decided by Moscow — Russian envoy

Russian authorities just need to bring the process in line with federal laws, Zamir Kabulov explained

Russian tank crews helped seize last Ukrainian army positions in Ugledar — top brass

Ugledar was part of a network of large Ukrainian army strongholds in the south Donetsk frontline area

Government involvement in Nord Stream blasts undeniable, says Russian envoy

Permanent Representative to the UN Vasily Nebenzya stressed that "it’s the basic desire of the masterminds and perpetrators of the crime to cover up their tracks and mislead investigators"

Russian army takes operational control of all roads to DPR's Kurakhovo — official

Denis Pushilin added that Ugledar was the only major town in the South Donetsk direction, as its location on elevated terrain allowed the enemy to observe the surrounding area for dozens of kilometers

US seeks to consolidate its military advantages with talks on strategic stability — MFA

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov pointed to the fact that US calls for negotiations on strategic stability with the prospect of concluding a new treaty on strategic offensive arms reduction have a dual purpose

EU’s economic course is 'cold war' — Orban

"The economic cold war is very dangerous for Hungary because it hits us in the first instance, our export-oriented economy," the Hungarian prime minister said

If Poles 'try to lay hands' on western Ukraine, Minsk will support Ukrainians — Lukashenko

The Belarusian president is certain that Poland pursues its own selfish interests in Ukraine

Russian ambassador says he received threats in US

"I have a feeling that as the important day in America - namely, the November 5 presidential election - is approaching, it is getting harder and harder to work here," Anatoly Antonov said

Scholz says Germany not to send Kiev missiles ‘capable of reaching as far as Moscow’

German Chancellor emphasized the need to explore ways in order to peacefully resolve the Ukraine conflict

Russian forces strike Ukrainian army’s energy sites over past day — top brass

It is specified that Ukrainian army’s losses in that frontline area over the past 24 hours amounted to 145 personnel, an armored combat vehicle, two motor vehicles, a 152mm D-20 howitzer and a 122mm D-30 howitzer

US authorities charge Moldovan national with bank fraud, seek his extradition from Cyprus

Andrey Ghinkul was arrested in Cyprus on August 28

No 'magic capability' to change face of Ukraine conflict, US official says

According to Matthew Miller, Washington viewed "all the capabilities and all the tactics" to support Kiev

Israeli warplanes strike southern outskirts of Beirut

At least two strikes targeted the Bourj el-Barajneh refugee camp

Top UK diplomat signals NATO’s rejection of Ukraine in prank call — spokeswoman

"Both Cameron and this tubby man from the UK Defense Ministry (former UK Defense Secretary Ben Wallace - TASS) likely wanted to get some publicity through Vovan and Lexus, and, perhaps, float the idea that Ukraine will never be a part of NATO," the diplomat wrote on her Telegram channel

Russia says its drone destroyed Ukrainian fighters in Kursk Region

The effectiveness of the missile strike is confirmed by live-recording footage, according to the ministry

IAEA confirms Russia’s non-involvement in fire at ZNPP — Russian diplomat

The fire at the Zaporozhye plant’s cooling tower followed after Ukraine’s drone attack on August 11

Stoltenberg could face life imprisonment for his crimes — lawyer

"We are talking about very serious charges," Philippe Vanlangendonck pointed out

Russia, Iran set to sign 'historic' comprehensive partnership

It was agreed to launch internal procedures necessary to prepare the agreement for signing within the framework of top-level bilateral interaction in the near future, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko said

DPR head expects entire region to be liberated in foreseeable future

"For our part, we expect that the DPR will be liberated in the foreseeable future as part of efforts to achieve the goals set by the Russian president," Denis Pushilin noted

Iskander crew wipes out up to 80 Ukrainian troops, 12 armored vehicles in Sumy Region

According to the report, "Battlegroup North service members conducting reconnaissance operations discovered the gathering point of a company tactical group from one of the mechanized battalions of the 47th Mechanized Brigade of the Ukrainian armed forces"

US fans flames in Middle East by not condemning Israeli actions — Lavrov

"When Israel launched its ground invasion of Lebanon in the early hours of October 1, the United States administration did not condemn in any way this act of aggression against a sovereign state," the top Russian diplomat noted

Kiev sends team of foreign medics to near Seversk in DPR — expert

According to Andrey Marochko, the team is well-equipped has its own equipment and seems to have extensive experience in working in a combat zone

Russian army in Donbass moves at 'unseen pace,' Finnish analyst tells The Washington Post

The Russian army’s greatest advances "occurred from mid-August to mid-September, coinciding with the Ukrainian incursion into Russia’s Kursk Region," Pasi Paroinen said

Japan's new prime minister accuses China, Russia of 'violations of airspace'

Shigeru Ishiba voiced his belief that Japan is currently facing the most challenging security situation since the end of World War II

UN aware of Russia’s invitation for Guterres to attend BRICS summit — spokesperson

This year, Russia holds the rotating BRICS chairmanship which includes over 200 events and will culminate in the group’s summit in Kazan on October 22-24

American Abrams tanks vulnerable even to Soviet-era weapons, says expert

US President Joe Biden announced on January 25 that Washington would hand over 31 M1 Abrams tanks to the Kiev regime

Germany not coming to UNSC meetings on Nord Streams, despite invitation

"They prefer not to appear because of the continuing investigation," Russian Permanent Representative to the UN Vasily Nebenzya added

Breakthrough attempts: situation in Kursk Region

Ukraine carried out five unsuccessful attempts to infiltrate Novy Put

Russia delivers 29 strikes at Ukrainian military, energy sites over week

Russia’s Battlegroup North inflicted more than 3,000 casualties on Ukrainian troops in its area of responsibility in the borderline Kursk area and the Kharkov Region over the week, the Defense Ministry reported

Israeli military says it delivered multiple strikes in and around Beirut

"Numerous measures were taken to reduce the risk of harm to civilians, including the use of precision munitions and aerial surveillance," the IDF reported