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Middle East conflict

Iran maintains diplomatic contacts with US via third countries — foreign minister

Referring to his recent trips to Syria, Lebanon and Saudi Arabia, Abbas Araghchi specified that Tehran "held consultations on how to stop the fire and massacres" in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon

DOHA, October 10. /TASS/. Iran maintains contacts with the US through diplomatic channels via third countries, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said.

"Diplomatic channels with the US government are open via some countries," Araghchi said in an interview with Al Jazeera TV. He clarified that Tehran and Washington "exchange their views indirectly."

On Thursday, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani in Doha. Referring to his recent trips to Syria, Lebanon and Saudi Arabia, Araghchi specified that Tehran "held consultations on how to stop the fire and massacres" in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon. "The major countries of the region can play a role in reducing the tension that has arisen," Araghchi noted. Given that Saudi Arabia and Qatar both play a significant role in the region, Iran is conducting consultations with them to end the conflict in the Middle East, he added.

On October 9, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi paid a visit to Riyadh, where he met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud. Earlier, Reuters reported, citing a senior Iranian official, that Tehran had warned the Persian Gulf countries against allowing their airspace or military bases to be used by Israel if it decided to retaliate to Iran’s recent missile strike.

On the evening of October 1, Iran launched a massive missile strike on Israel. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said the attack was a response to the assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh and Hezbollah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah. According to the Israeli army, some 180 rockets were fired toward Israel, most of them intercepted.

Middle East conflict

Israeli strike on school in central Gaza kills 28, leaves over 50 injured — doctors

Meanwhile, the Gaza Government Media Office said that the attack had killed 26 people and left another 92 injured, mostly women and children

Russian forces press Ukrainian troops near Grigorovka in DPR — military expert

Andrey Marochko added that Russian army units have intensified fire on Ukrainian militants’ positions in the settlement of Serebryanka

Israel fears full-scale conflict with Iran — newspaper

Israel is likely to give up the idea of striking nuclear sites in Iran, the Jerusalem Post said

Response measures to be in effect as soon as West approves long-range strikes — Lavrov

Commenting on Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky’s remark that the upcoming October 12 Ramstein-format meeting of the contact group on military aid for Kiev will become special, and the entire next week will become "historic in many ways," the top Russian diplomat noted that he "does not follows their meetings"

Avtovaz plans to produce 8,000 Lada Aura cars per year starting from 2025

The car based on the Vesta model was first presented last summer

Trump’s words about denuclearization deal do not correspond to reality — senior diplomat

According to Sergey Ryabkov, Washington has sent several signals expressing interest in such a dialogue with Beijing

Ukraine’s losses, counterattacks, captives: unfolding situation in Kursk Region

The Russian military struck clusters of manpower and equipment of 13 enemy brigades in the Kursk Region

Iran to provide resistance forces fighting Israel with all support — foreign minister

Abbas Araghchi stated that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "failed to achieve his goal" of destroying the Palestinian Hamas movement in the Gaza Strip and "will face the same situation in Lebanon"

Romania notifies Russia of imminent closure of its consulate general — diplomat

According to Maria Zakharova, this step on the part of Bucharest is conditioned by Russia's decision "to denounce the bilateral intergovernmental agreement on the opening of the mentioned consular institution"

Share of national currencies in payments within CIS over 85% — Putin

This figure continues growing, the Russian leader noted

Desertion epidemic reaches massive proportions in Ukraine — journalist

Accoridng to Vladimir Boiko, the total number of deserters now stands at 170,000 people

Israel drags Middle East into catastrophe — Iranian foreign minister

Abbas Araghchi held a meeting with his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud

Russian forces destroy two US-made Patriot missile launchers in Ukraine operation

Russia’s Battlegroup Center repulsed nine Ukrainian army counterattacks and inflicted roughly 490 casualties on enemy troops in its area of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

Impossible to assess environmental damage of Nord Stream detonation, German official says

Bettina Hoffmann admitted that a lot of methane was expelled into the water, but, in her opinion, it did not cause long-term damage to the environment

Ukraine topic 'fading' at UN, no desire to resolve conflict there — senior diplomat

According to Sergey Vershinin, the UN General Assembly’s 79th session "widely discussed ultimatums for Russia, including Zelensky's so-called peace formulas, which are obviously unacceptable"

Ukraine expects conflict to be over no later than 2025 — Zelensky

Zelensky stated that by November Ukraine expected to prepare a document that would be presented at a new conference on the settlement in the country, but did not specify when this event was planned to be held

Iran prepared for any scenario in Middle East conflict — foreign minister

According to Abbas Araghchi, Israel is seeking to expand the geography of the conflict in the region and is trying to draw Tehran into an open confrontation

Putin did not talk to Trump after Trump’s presidential term expired — Kremlin spokesman

The claims about potential contacts between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump first emerged in the excerpts from a book by veteran US investigative journalist Bob Woodward, presented by CNN

Residents being evacuated from village in Adygea amid fire caused by drone attack

According to the republic’s head, no casualties were reported

Around 220 projectiles reportedly fired at Israel from Lebanon on October 9 — IDF

A massive missile attack on the city of Kiryat Shmona near the border killed two locals

Israel seeks to wage major war to sway US election — Iranian Foreign Ministry

According to Spokesman Esmail Baghaei, the US's security agencies are falsely accusing Iran of trying to interfere in Washington's internal affairs

Russian troops gain better positions along front line in Kamenskoye — politician

Russia’s forces are advancing in two directions at a time

Russian paratroopers storm Ukrainian strongholds, liberating Kursk Region’s Pokrovsky

The Russian Defense Ministry quoted servicemen as saying that "the enemy troops were frightened, abandoned their positions, even dropped their documents"

Russia’s Mir payment system launched in Nicaragua, so far through one ATM

Russian Trade Representative in Nicaragua Petr Pankratov reported that payment by Mir card in Nicaragua, which can now be found in many places in Cuba, is a question of the future

Zelensky needs to initiate talks with Russia, Ukrainian lawmaker says

Alexander Dubinsky is confident that Western leaders will put indirect pressure on the Ukrainian president

Future of Ukrainians being decided 'overseas,' Russian diplomat says

Maria Zakharova emphasized that the United States was using Ukraine as a tool in its geopolitical manipulations

Ramstein group meeting likely to take place in Brussels on October 17 — source

It is reported that the possibility to hold consultations at the working level is currently under consideration

FACTBOX: Hurricane Milton rips through Florida

Police and firefighters are scouting damaged areas to provide aid to those affected and carry out search operations

Iran warns Persian Gulf states against any assistance to Israel — Reuters

"The message emphasized the need for regional unity against Israel and the importance of securing stability," the source added

Israel to retaliate so suddenly that Iran won't have time to realize anything — minister

Yoav Gallant reiterated that the Iranian attack did not damage the Israeli Air Force's capabilities

Russian national football team to play two friendlies next month

The Syrian Football Association confirmed to TASS earlier that the country’s national team had been training to play a friendly match against the Russian national side

Liberation of western DPR could collapse Ukraine’s defenses up to Dnieper River — adviser

According to Igor Kimakovsky, Russian forces have almost encircled Kurakhovka and Selidovo

Mobilized Ukrainian welder cuts hole in border bridge

He fled to Hungary, Ukrainian journalist Vitaly Glagola said

Kiev ready for ceasefire along current front line, without recognizing new border — media

A significant number of Ukrainian troops "find themselves trapped" on Russian territory (near Kursk) and are unable to come to aid in Donbass where they are outnumbered in men, the report added

Russian forces thwart Ukrainian troop rotation in Zaporozhye area

According to the report, a Russian reconnaissance drone operator uncovered another enemy attempt to rotate troops

Ukraine pulls back troops to western outskirts of Dzerzhinsk — security agencies

According to the report, there is currently a mop-up operation ongoing, targeting the remaining pockets of resistance in the center of Dzerzhinsk

Russia virtually has no unemployment, labor productivity should be increased — Putin

According to the Russian president, the opening of new high-tech production facilities is "a step in the absolutely right direction"

Oil and gas revenues of Russian budget increase by 49.4% in 9 months

The ministry noted that such an increase in oil and gas revenues was mainly due to the rise in prices for Russian oil

Taiwan records approach of 27 Chinese PLA aircraft, 14 vessels in past day

According to the statement, 15 PLA aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and flew into the island’s air defense identification zone in the northern, central and southwestern airspace of Taiwan

Zelensky says his 'victory plan' aims to strengthen Ukraine’s military might

The Ukrainian president also said that he plans to meet with the leaders of the UK, Germany, Italy and France in the upcoming days and present them with Ukraine’s "victory plan"

Ukraine ‘slowly losing’ in conflict, EU crisis may consequently worsen — media

Among the most severe consequences for the EU the magazine names the influx of refugees

Putin relieves Russian Ambassador to US Antonov of his post — decree

The Russian diplomat returned to Moscow on October 6

Kremlin slams as fake news rumors of DPRK military’s participation in special operation

South Korean Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun has alleged that DPRK soldiers might have been sent to Ukraine

US connivance with Kiev fraught with risk of full-scale West-Russia conflict — MFA

"We need not some signals, but real evidence that there is an understanding of the futility of unconditional support for the minions in Kiev, and of the dangers that are exacerbated in a situation where this policy is not revised," Sergey Ryabkov stated

Trump refuses from holding another round of debates with Harris

According to the US ex-President, "there is nothing to debate"

Lavrov arrives in Laos to take part in 19th East Asia Summit

The top Russian diplomat is expected to speak at the summit on Friday, October 11

Defense contractor delivers new batch of Su-34 bombers to Russia’s Aerospace Forces

The bombers have undergone a series of ground and flight tests

Russia hammers Ukrainian military airfields by Kinzhal hypersonic missiles

Russia’s Battlegroup South liberated the community of Zoryanoye Pervoye in the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) over the past day, the ministry reported

Argentina, Chile suspended lithium supplies to Russia — official

According to deputy department director of the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade Vladislav Demidov, Russian companies are preparing to start lithium feedstock mining in Russia but the paperwork on licenses for their operation should be expedited

Israel’s bills banning UNRWA activities cause concern — Russian diplomat

Vasily Nebenzya stressed that such a move would constitute a violation of the UN Charter and "will have the most negative consequences"

Croatian summit declaration on Ukraine includes Zelensky’s 'peace plan' — news outlet

The Dubrovnik declaration consists of 17 provisions, which, according to the Nova.rs news outlet, will be discussed by the participants of the summit before signing

Ukrainian army starts using FPV drones to attack individual soldiers — Russian sapper

Ukrainian drones are often used for remote mine-laying

Avtovaz starts sales of updated Lada Vesta with ESC

The car also has such options as side airbags, three-level heated front seats, a rear-view camera with dynamic trajectory lines

West’s financial policy makes keeping reserves in their currencies risky — minister

According to Siluanov, the dollar will still be able to maintain its popularity as a payment unit in the coming years, but BRICS nations are already expanding the use of national currencies

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

Ukraine’s accession to NATO may lead to WWIII — MFA

At the previous NATO summit in Vilnius in July 2023, Zelensky voiced discontent that member countries were unwilling to nail down the timeline for inviting Ukraine to join NATO

Putin highlights danger emanating from Neo-Nazis in Ukraine in talk with Scholz

As it was pointed out, official Kiev "is not fulfilling its promises to stop this barbarity: the number of such instances has been growing in recent days"

Kalashnikov launches series production of VTOL drones — company

The State Transport Leasing Company is the main customer of such drones, the press service noted

Russian embassy slams US vice president’s remarks about Putin as outrageous

According to the statement, "such a boorish language has become a habit among the current so-called American statesmen"

EU ambassadors agree on mechanism for 35 billion euro loan to Kiev — EU Council

The 35 billion euro loan from the EU should be part of the G7 credit line, which is expected to total 50 billion dollars or 45 billion euros

Iran ready to respond with force to potential Israeli attack — media

Iranian Ambassador to Turkey Mohammad Hassan Habibollah Zadeh pointed out that those not directly involved in the conflict "should not participate in Israel's attacks or aggression against Iran"

Some 3,000 Ukrainian troops may be trapped near Seversk in DPR — expert

"We have recently received information that we broke the line of defense and approached Serebryanka and Grigorovka, so it could be said that the fight for these settlements has already started," Andrey Marochko said

Nobel Prize in chemistry awarded for work with proteins

While Baker has designed an entirely new kind of proteins, Top7, "that was unlike any other protein," Hassabis and Jumper have developed an AI model called AlphaFold2, which enabled them to predict the structure of over 200 million proteins identified in other living organisms

Ukrainian army kills 80% of comrades trying to surrender

According to the Russian fighter, as soon as the Ukrainians spot a soldier trying to surrender via drone surveillance, they open targeted fire from various weapons

Israel to retaliate Iranian actions by attacking military targets — newspaper

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, key ministers, army and intelligence chiefs decided to focus on "Iranian military facilities," the source told the newspaper, adding that the decision could be changed

Rolf to launch production of cars in Russia in 2026-2027 — Rolf Group

According to owner Umar Kremlev, the plant will build cars from start to finish

Russian forces advancing in over ten areas in Kursk Region — commander

According to Apty Alaudinov, military is making visible progress

Hundreds of factories opened in Russia, industrial production growing — Putin

The Russian president also noted that it is necessary to expand the volume and range of products manufactured on the basis of Russian technologies

Israel undermining UN resolutions that granted it UN membership — Russian diplomat

According to Vasily Nebenzya, there is a paradoxical situation

Discord deals with blocking in Russia, Turkey — company

"We are aware of reports of Discord being unreachable in Russia and Turkey. Our team is investigating these reports at this time," the notice reads

Group of Iranian lawmakers asks Security Council to authorize creation of nuclear weapons

Since 2003, a fatwa by the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has outlawed the production of nuclear weapons as contradicting Islam

Putin presents highest state award to Belarusian president

The Russian leader signed a decree on awarding the order to Lukashenko on August 30, when the Belarusian leader turned 70

West hopes to pull Ukraine into NATO in exchange for territories — MFA

"The West forgets that one of the main reasons for the start of the conflict was its obsessive wish to drag Ukraine into the alliance, to turn it into a springboard for confrontation with Russia," Maria Zakharova recalled

Press review: West's new NATO angle for Kiev and Putin plans powwows with regional bigs

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, October 8th

At least two killed as Hurricane Milton slams into Florida — TV

Damaging winds and devastating rains from the hurricane will continue to whip through central Florida at least until Thursday morning

Big Five nuclear powers to hold regular meeting in New York soon — senior Russian diplomat

Sergey Ryabkov also wished every success to China which took over coordination of the group as he said that Beijing can count on Moscow’s support in what he called a turbulent time

Nuclear test ban organization says Iranian seismic event looks like earthquake — diplomat

A 4.5-magnitude earthquake was recorded in Iran’s province of Semnan southeast of the capital Tehran on October 5

Moldova uses conflict in Ukraine to put pressure on Transnistria

Vadim Krasnoselsky noted that the conflict in Ukraine, which closed its border with Transnistria, "seriously disrupted logistics, complicated the fulfillment of obligations to foreign partners, limited supplies to the republic, and deprived it of some markets"

FACTBOX: What is known about consequences of UAV attack in Adygea

There are no victims or injured, firefighters are putting out the blaze

West gives Kiev license to destroy Ukrainian people — Russian delegation to HRC

Ilya Barmin drew attention to the "instrumentalization of the subject of technical assistance to countries in the field of human rights by the delegations of the US, the UK, Germany, France and other European countries"

Putin launches serial assembly of Lada Aura via videoconference

The car based on the Vesta model was first presented last summer

IRGC confirms destruction of numerous Israeli F-35s in Iranian missile strike

It was earlier reported that more than 20 Israeli Air Force F-35 aircraft were hit during an IRGC missile strike on Israel

Pantsir-S on round-the-clock duty in Kursk region — Russian Defense Ministry

The crews constantly change positions

Senior Russian diplomat sees no basis for discussing strategic stability with US

Sergey Ryabkov specified that no talks can be held, unless Washington changes the line of the anti-Russian policy being pursued by the US and its allies

Stoltenberg could face life imprisonment for his crimes — lawyer

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

Expansion of Middle East conflict to be catastrophic for region — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov did not speculate on what actions Russia, whose Khmeimim airbase is located in the Middle East, might take in the event of further escalation

Lavrov to take part in East Asia Summit in Laos

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova noted that the EAS is both a mechanism of the ASEAN and a key element of ASEAN-based multilateral dialogue and cooperation in the region

Seizure of Kursk NPP by Ukrainian troops fraught with recurrence of Chernobyl — delegation

Europe would have faced an environmental and humanitarian disaster, acting head of the Russian delegation to the Vienna Yulia Zhdanova said

Russia has proof of US’, UK’s involvement in sabotage of Nord Stream pipelines — diplomat

The publication of the evidence will depend on how the situation around the investigation unfolds, Maria Zakharova said

Russian embassy urges US to think about risks of Ukrainian chemical terrorism

According to the diplomatic mission, intelligence data indicates that "Ukraine plans to stage a series of anti-Russia provocations"

Russian troops use latest Tribunal kamikaze drone in Ukraine operation

It has a flight range of over 10 km and carries a payload of 3 kg

Putin launches third power unit of Udarnaya TPP

The first and second units were commissioned on March 1 and April 1, respectively

IDF claims elimination of Hezbollah militia member in Syria

According to the press office, the Israeli Air Force attacked and eliminated Azam Jahout

Russian forces strike Ukrainian army’s fuel supply sites over past day

Russia’s Battlegroup South inflicted roughly 650 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed an enemy ammunition depot in its area of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

Situation tense as fire continues to rage at Crimean oil depot — mayor

According to Igor Tkachenko, municipal services and utility providers are assisting the fire brigades in every possible way, providing them with hot meals and places to rest and supplying them with firefighting materials and equipment

At least four wounded in Israeli strike on industrial area in Syria — TV

The attack was followed by fire

Two settlements liberated: situation in Kursk Region

Units of the battlegroup North continued offensive operations and liberated the settlements of Novaya Sorochina and Pokrovsky in the Kursk Region

Press review: US shuns Russia on Ukraine talks and Washington wavers on aiding Israel

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, October 10th

Western Balkans should join EU, no consensus on other candidates — Orban

The Hungarian prime minister emphasized the importance of Serbia’s accession to the EU

Russian aircraft target construction site of Ukrainian stronghold in Zaporozhye Region

"The fortified area in the Orekhov District, where they are digging in and installing concrete structures, will not help the enemy," Vladimir Rogov said

Press review: Putin takes meetings in Kremlin and Russia's ace in the hole for peace talks

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, October 9th