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Middle East conflict

Updated at:

Houthis want to 'double capabilities' for expanded operations against Israel — statement

According to military spokesman Yahya Saree, the so-called support operations that the Houthis are carrying out in solidarity with the Palestinians involve "a blockade of Ben-Gurion Airport, a ban on all ships entering the port of Haifa"

DUBAI, May 22. /TASS/. Yemen’s Houthis of the Ansar Allah movement are seeking to "double their capabilities" to intensify attacks against Israel, the movement’s military spokesman Yahya Saree announced.

"Amid the escalation in Gaza and the enemy’s ongoing crimes against the Palestinian people, the Yemeni armed forces are working to double their capabilities and capacities to expand support operations and intensify fighting," the spokesman told the Houthi-run Al Masirah TV channel.

According to Saree, the so-called support operations that the Houthis are carrying out in solidarity with the Palestinians involve "a blockade of Ben-Gurion Airport, a ban on all ships entering the port of Haifa, and a ban on Israeli ships passing through the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea."

Following the escalation of the conflict in the Gaza Strip, the Houthis warned Israel that they would shell its territory while barring ships associated with the Jewish state from passing through the waters of the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait until Tel Aviv ceases its military operation against the Palestinian radical group Hamas in the embattled enclave.

Middle East conflict

Security Council ineffective amid Israeli aggression — Iran’s UN envoy

Ali Bahreini pointed out that the SC’s inaction is one of the key reasons why Israel "continues to commit such crimes" as its ongoing attack on Iran

UAV warehouse in Kiev hit by Russia’s strike — media

Kiev officially did not confirm the Russian strike on the hanger with drones

Iran strikes Rafael weapons factory, sources say

No further details have been disclosed regarding the extent of the damage or the factory’s specific location

RDIF to sign over 10 agreements with foreign partners at SPIEF-2025

CEO Kirill Dmitriev noted that more than 10 meetings will be held with the fund's partners from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, China, Qatar, India, Vietnam, Indonesia, South Africa, Bahrain and other countries

Iranian military says air defenses downed 28 Israeli targets over past day

According to the report, the intercepted goals included Israel’s Hermes drone used to monitor the "vulnerable areas" of Iran

Israel’s aggression against Iran cannot be excused as pre-emptive attack, Swiss NGO says

"Once again, Israel, the United States and their supporters are flouting international law and participating in a conflict that could lead to nuclear disaster," the organization noted

Donald Trump’s backing could grant Israel hegemony over Middle East — WP

According to the news report, while the US president used to cast himself as a man of "peace" and a "dealmaker" aiming to stabilize a volatile region and end wars, he now appears prepared to join one

Talks with US, Middle East, Putin's agenda at SPIEF: Kremlin aide’s statements

The issue of a new round of negotiations on normalization of relations between Russia and the United States has "somewhat stalled" after a pause taken by Washington

Netanyahu names third goal of operation in Iran – to destroy 'axis of terror'

Previously, Israel declared two objectives for its operation: to put an end to Tehran’s nuclear and missile programs

US moving fighter jets to Middle East -— Reuters

One of the officials said the deployments include F-16, F-22 and F-35 fighter aircraft

Trump gets more open to striking Iran’s nuclear sites — report

Trump remains open to a diplomatic solution, but only if Iran makes significant concessions, according to the report

Kim Jong Un reiterates support for Russia’s policy at meeting with top security official

Kim also wished for the Russian people to achieve "victories, prosperity and happiness on their journey to build a strong Russia"

Explosions rock ammunition depots near Kiev — newspaper

Kiev Mayor Vitaly Klitschko also said there was a fire at night in the warehouses in the Svyatoshinsky district of the capital

North Korea to send 1,000 combat engineers, 5,000 workers to rebuild Kursk Region – Shoigu

According to Sergey Shoigu, Moscow and Pyongyang also plan to create memorials for the Korean soldiers who died while liberating the Kursk Region

FACTBOX: 2025 St. Petersburg International Economic Forum

The 28th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum will take place from June 18-21, 2025

Avtovaz to unveil Lada crossover at SPIEF

Earlier reports said that the crossover will be produced on the Lada Vesta platform and the start of production is scheduled for early 2026

Israeli, US air defenses have no answer for some of Iran's missiles — US expert

Daniel Davis said that the US should not join Israel’s military operation against Iran

Iran shoots down fifth Israeli F-35 — municipal authorities

According to the report, the fighter plane was taken down in the Javadabad area of the Varamin municipal district

Yemeni Houthis say they will interfere into Iranian-Israeli conflict to back Iran

According to al-Bukhaiti, the Houthis will coordinate their attacks against Israel with Iran

'Tornado sweeping' through Tehran, civilians flee capital — defense minister

Israel Katz said that "regime landmarks are being targeted and collapsing"

G7 leaders express support for Trump’s efforts to find peaceful solution to Ukraine crisis

However, the document notes that G7 leaders seek "to maximize pressure on Russia, including financial sanctions"

FACTBOX: Oil refinery strikes and radiation leaks – 5 days of Israel-Iran escalation

At least 1,800 people have received wounds and injuries after Israel’s attacks on Iran, Iranian Health Minister Mohammad-Reza Zafarghandi stated

Moscow, Pyongyang set up working groups for cooperation — Russian Security Council

"In particular, five joint Russia-Korea working groups were established in various fields," the spokesperson said

West trying to keep status quo globally resisting developing states’ influence — Novak

The desire to maintain dominant positions in the global economy leads to bilateral agreements being ‘pushed’ instead of multilateral ones, which results in a new round of regionalization, the Russian deputy prime minister added

US business representatives to attend St. Petersburg Economic Forum — Kremlin

As the materials suggest, the forum’s program envisages 21 business dialogues, including with the United States

Security council secretary to brief North Korea on Russia’s stance over Iran — diplomat

Andrey Rudenko added that during Sergey Shoigu's visit, the parties will discuss "a wide range of issues"

Medvedev allows use of nuclear weapons by Russia when ‘patience runs out’

The politician underscored that no one really needs a nuclear conflict - it is "a very bad story with a very difficult outcome."

Nuclear threat in Middle East not hypothetical, but practical — Foreign Ministry

Maria Zakharova stressed that Iran "had, has, and will have the right" to peaceful nuclear facilities that are now under attack

IDF reports missile attack from Gaza

The Israel Defense Forces said that no injuries were reported

Zelensky cancels press conference and leaves Canada after failed meeting with Trump

Donald Trump left the G7 talks on June 17, ahead of schedule

Former Israeli PM says that for Netanyahu, Gaza is 'personal war'

Ehud Olmert said that Benjamin Netanyahu's idea of 'total victory' was absolutely senseless

Press review: Hopes for Israeli-Iranian diplomacy dim as oil prices fluctuate amid crisis

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, June 17th

Heads of leading news agencies to ask Putin questions on sidelines of SPIEF — TASS chief

"This year, 15 heads of the world's leading news agencies have been invited to the meeting," Andrey Kondrashov said

EC wants to make EU as uncompetitive as possible on global stage — RDIF head

Earlier on Tuesday, EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jorgensen said that the European Commission had proposed to completely ban EU countries from purchasing pipeline and liquefied natural gas from Russia by the end of 2027

Iran uses advanced missile in attack on Israel — Iranian Defense Ministry

Earlier, ground forces commander Major General Kioumars Heydari said that Iran attacked Tel Aviv, Haifa and other Israeli military facilities with "advanced weapons"

Mini missiles increase Pantsir round of munitions four times

High Precision Complexes Holding has created an airspace monitoring system comprising mini radars that detect low-signature drones

Orban replies to Zelensky’s threats to Hungary

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said, that country doesn't want to give the Hungarian money to Ukraine

Putin to hold telephone call with Chinese President Xi this week — presidential aide

The Russian president will have a telephone conversation with the President of China, during which, naturally, in addition to bilateral topics, issues of the current situation in the Middle East will be discussed

French president’s trip to Greenland irritates Trump

According to the Financial Times, Macron’s decision to make a stopover in Greenland on his way to the summit contributed to Trump’s decision to leave the event early

Trump drops idea of organizing meeting between US, Iranian officials — TV

The New York Times reported earlier that Trump had suggested that his envoy Steve Witkoff and Vice President JD Vance try to meet with Iranian officials later this week

Trump blocks effort to lower Russian oil price cap — Politico

According to diplomatic sources, the opinion of the head of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas on the issue of restrictions on prices for Russian raw materials is not very important

Trump says Israel has full control of Iran's airspace

The US president also noted that the Islamic Republic has large amounts of military equipment

US presidential envoy plans to meet with Belarusian president soon — agency

According to Reuters, Keith Kellogg would be the highest-ranking US official to visit Belarus in years

Russia’s exports in 2024 reached $434 bln — minister

Russian Minister of Economic Development Maxim Reshetnikov emphasized that global population growth and the emergence of a new technological paradigm are creating strong demand for food, energy, and new logistics routes

Trump says not really pursuing talks with Iran — news agency

The US president said he wants a "real end" to the conflict, not a ceasefire

UK added ten companies and individuals to anti-Russian sanctions package

Considering the earlier announced sanctions, the number of ships in the United Kingdom’s black list is now close to three hundred

Russia, Indonesia to sign four documents on Thursday

Yury Ushakov noted that arrangements enshrined in interdepartmental agreements "cover a broad sphere of cooperation"

More than 80 hacking groups act against Russia — Sber

"The damage from actions of only one of them, the IT army of Ukraine, may reach $1.25 bln," Deputy CEO of Sber Stanislav Kuznetsov said

US-Russia relations normalization process put on ice — Kremlin aide

"Now, obviously, some kind of an agreement will be reached between the US State Department and the Russian Foreign Ministry on where and when to hold the next meeting," Yury Ushakov said

New car sales in Russia may plunge by 25-30% in 2025 — minister

Domestic automobile plants have the opportunity thus far to keep production volumes at the level of 2024 but plans can be adapted to market demands, Anton Alikhanov said

Lavrov urges global community to intensify efforts to ease Israeli-Iranian tensions

The Russian foreign minister called for resolving all emerging issues at the negotiating table

Russians most of all wait for return of IKEA, McDonald's

Head of the Russian Quality System nonprofit organization Maxim Protasov still noted that there is a group of consumers that do not want the return of foreign brands at all

Liberation of Petrovskogo in Donbass region paves way for offensive toward Dnepropetrovsk

Earlier, the Russian Defense Ministry reported the liberation of Petrovskogo in the DPR

Iran takes full control of Israel’s airspace — agency

The IRGC called on the residents of Tel Aviv’s Neve Tzedek neighborhood to evacuate, the Mehr news agency reported

Israeli-Iranian conflict rapidly escalating — Kremlin

"So far, the situation is moving toward an even greater escalation," Dmitry Peskov said

Russia’s FAB bomb strike destroys Ukrainian army platoon in western Donetsk region

The FAB bomb strike also destroyed Ukrainian military equipment, including Baba-Yaga hexacopter drones, the source added

Shoigu arrives in Pyongyang, scheduled to meet with North Korea’s Kim

This is Russian Security Council Secretary's third visit to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea in almost three months

G7 no longer big, new growth centers have emerged — official

Maxim Oreshkin stressed that in light of today's agenda, it is important to remember why all these events are happening

US may decide to launch military action against Iran within 24 to 48 hours — TV

According to the broadcaster’s sources, the US still believes it will be able to bring Iran back to the negotiating table and ultimately force it accept a deal that would require Tehran to abandon nuclear enrichment

Russian industry minister names conditions for foreign businesses return

Russia is interested in the first instance in joint production facilities realized in its territory, Anton Alikhanov said

Statesmen, politicians from 50 countries will attend SPIEF — Kremlin

The St. Petersburg International Economic Forum will take place on June 18-21

IRGC targets Mossad headquarters, Israeli military intel buildings in missile strike

As previously reported, Israel’s Glilot military intel base near Tel Aviv was hit by IRGC’s missile strike

IN BRIEF: New arms, blasts: what is known about exchange of strikes between Israel, Iran

US President Donald Trump said he expects the destruction of Iran's nuclear program without Washington's involvement

Format of Russia’s participation in BRICS summit under discussion — diplomat

"We are in contact with the group’s presidency," Sergey Ryabkov noted

Russian embassy dismisses UK sanctions as 'petty'

"In connection with the G7 meeting in Kananaskis, Canada, the UK government, with feigned and inappropriate pomp, announced the latest tranche of anti-Russian sanctions," the embassy said

Iranian missile strikes on Israel completely cripple Tel Aviv — news agency

It is noted that the missile strikes resulted in power outages and disrupted fuel supplies

BRICS partner state status proves worthwhile — Russian diplomat

According to Sergey Ryabkov, different levels of participation in the group’s activities don’t hinder cooperation but "on the contrary, help it"

No serious operations yet staged by Iran against Israel — Iranian top brass

The real, decisive and punitive retribution against Israel will be inflicted very soon, Abdulrahim Mousavi said

Trump much more interested in Israel-Iran conflict than Ukraine — opposition politician

According to Viktor Medvedchuk, Washington is pulling back from pumping Kiev with weapons, as the US sees this as a threat to its own economy

Trump’s threats to Tehran indicate that Israel nears defeat — Iranian ambassador

Mehdi Sobhani noted that the United States is assisting Israel in this conflict, and stated that "this war is imposed on Iran"

Russian troops breach Ukrainian defenses near Verkhnekamenskoye in Donetsk region — expert

Andrey Marochko said that the Ukrainian military is currently trying to hold its key positions and "fierce battles are raging" near Verkhnekamenskoye

\BRICS to boost fight against terrorism during India’s presidency — Russian diplomat

"The issue is extremely important for India, and they always pay attention to it on all platforms," Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said

Trump unconvinced that Israel needs to topple Iranian government — report

According to the report, Israel’s leaders contemplate "regime change" in the Islamic Republic

Kremlin agrees with Trump that Russia’s exclusion from G8 was mistake — spokesman

Dmitry Peskov added that the Kremlin analyzes all statements made at the summit

Iran takes measures to protect nuclear facilities, envoy says

"The details of these measures will be announced to the Agency in due time," Reza Najafi noted

Boeing took hit by leaving Russian market — Putin

Rostec CEO Sergey Chemezov noted that the Americans had brought in a significant number of modern machines and set up an entire production facility in Russia

Iran delivers strikes on airbases in Israel — agency

The IRGC warned that "targeted operations" against Israel will be continued

US withdraws troops from two more bases in Syria — agency

According to the news agency, the Al-Wazir and Tel Baydar bases are now guarded by small contingents of the Syrian Democratic Forces

Putin to discuss global situation with heads of international news agencies at SPIEF

TASS Director General Andrey Kondrashov said earlier that the chiefs of 15 leading international news agencies had been invited to take part in the event

Iran prepares missiles for striking US bases in Middle East — report

Tehran would be ready to strike any American bases in Arab countries, the New York Times said

Rostec creates Serp counter-UAV EW

Serp EW has been installed on many defense enterprises and "properly defends them against drone raids," CEO Sergey Chemezov said

Drone identification system to lift flight restrictions this year

According to Transport Minister Roman Starovoit, the system is tested to be used in agriculture and cargo delivery

Putin to discuss Middle East escalation with South African vice president — Kremlin aide

"Issues of further development of bilateral relations in various fields will be discussed," Yury Ushakov said

Iran announces start of 'even larger, more devastating' attack on Israel

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps added that Israel, "despite extensive aid of the US and Western countries and possession of most modern and advanced defense technologies," could not counter Iranian missiles

Russian diplomat points to worst-case scenario in Iran-Israel conflict

Gennady Gatilov thinks that recent events make it clear that Israel has made a deliberate decision "in favour of further escalation of tensions," which are "fraught with a large-scale nuclear catastrophe"

Iran says it used undetectable missiles to strike Mossad headquarters

According to the Iranian official, the attack came as a surprise for the Israel

Iran’s parliament approves strategic partnership treaty with Russia — embassy

On January 17, following talks in the Kremlin, Russian and Iranian Presidents Vladimir Putin and Masoud Pezeshkian signed the Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries

Israeli attacks on civilian nuclear facilities in Iran push world to nuclear disaster

"Russia is calling on Israel’s leadership to come to its senses and immediately stop air raids on Iran’s nuclear installations that have guarantees from and are inspected by the IAEA," Russian foreign ministry said

European Commission suggests banning Russian gas by end of 2027

The European Commission is going to create mechanism to protect the ban against its circumvention by EU countries

Washington cancels Russia-US meeting on eliminating irritants — Foreign Ministry

As Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova noted, the Russian side hopes the pause they have taken will not last too long

No US decision yet on attack against Iran — newspaper

According to The Wall Street Journal, "Trump is considering a range of options, including a potential US strike against Iran"

Iran strikes Tel Aviv, Haifa with 'new weapons,' plans step up attacks soon — general

Earlier, air-raid alerts sounded in Israel, including in Tel Aviv, in connection with the Iranian missile attack

Press review: Iran-Israel conflict deepens and anti-Trump protests divide US society

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, June 16th

Iran denies former president Ahmadinejad was killed

Some news media earlier reported that the former president was killed in Tehran

Canadian authorities add Putin’s ex-wife to sanction lists

Tatiana Yumasheva, the daughter of late Russian President Boris Yeltsin, was also blacklisted by the Canadian government

Industrial SMEs in Russia reach 450,000 — SME Corporation

"We have more than a hundred small and medium enterprises engaged in production of spacecraft, launch vehicles and components for them," CEO of the SME Corporation Alexander Isaevich said

Leaders of Egypt, Russia keep in touch as Israel-Iran feud rages

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov expressed their conviction that diplomacy is "the only way to prevent expansion of the current military conflict"

Russia honors its commitments under Istanbul accords — Kremlin spokesman

Dmitry Peskov stressed that a lot has been done to implement the agreements that were reached in Istanbul

Int’l community’s reaction to Israeli attack on Iran 'good lesson for everyone' — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov noted that Russia continues monitoring the situation in this regard

Netanyahu poses biggest threat to security of region, Erdogan said

"President Erdogan said that Turkey has been conducting intensive diplomatic contacts since the Israeli attack on Iran," the administration of the Turkish leader said

Russia hopes its interests protected with regard to bases in Syria

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said there have been no radical changes in the status quo as of today