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Middle East conflict

Strike on Iran will inevitably drag US into regional war — former Pentagon chief

Leon Panetta is convinced that the United States made a "terrible mistake" by going into Iraq in 2003, and believes that it should serve as a lesson for Trump

NEW YORK, June 21. /TASS/. The United States will inevitably become embroiled in a war in the Middle East if US President Donald Trump decides to strike Iran, former Defense Secretary and ex-CIA director Leon Panetta told CNN.

"If he goes in and attacks Iran, then there’s no question that the United States would be in a regional war at that point," Panetta said.

He is convinced that the United States made a "terrible mistake" by going into Iraq in 2003, and believes that it should serve as a lesson for Trump.

Earlier, Trump said the United States was ready to give Iran two weeks maximum to try to resolve the Iranian nuclear issues diplomatically and prevent US strikes on the Islamic Republic.

Overnight into June 13, Israel launched a military operation against Iran. Tehran carried out a retaliatory attack in less than 24 hours. Israel and Iran exchanged strikes again in the following days. Both parties reported casualties and admitted damage to a number of facilities. The two countries continue to exchange strikes.

Middle East conflict

IDF reports eliminating Hamas commander

According to it, he "was responsible for research and development activities within Hamas’ weapons manufacturing apparatus, which operates to restore and increase the weapons stockpile of the terrorist organizations in the Gaza Strip"

Press review: Trump’s Ukraine stance raises doubts as EU states opt out of US arms funding

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, July 17th

Chisinau spoiled relations with Moscow under West’s pressure — ambassador

Relations between the two states began to deteriorate in 2021, when pro-European forces assumed power in Moldova

EU’s rejection of Russian gas leading to adverse consequences — Putin

Huge restrictions have already been introduced for EU countries

Russia, US discuss plans for deorbiting International Space Station — Roscosmos

The commission’s experts discussed among other issues, measures to reduce risks stemming from air leaks from the transfer module

Russian forces capture foreign mercenaries in DPR, scout says

According to the scout with the callsign Husky, the foreigners were stationed in a building that Russian forces seized in about five minutes

Ukrainian troops facing threat of being surrounded in Konstantinovka — newspaper

According to the New York Times, Russian forces have created a 16-kilometer pocket around Konstantinovka, partly surrounding it from the east, south and west

Press review: US and EU delay weapons to Ukraine as Syria fighting alarms Turkey

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, July 18th

Merz played role in Trump’s decision to continue aid to Kiev — top German diplomat

"We can only be glad that the chancellor has established a pragmatic relationship with the US president, and that the voice of Germany is heard in Washington again," Wadephul said

Moldova’s election authority bans opposition bloc from parliamentary election

CEC Deputy Chairman Pavel Postica read out a report claiming that the bloc had links to Russia

'No illusions' any more regarding relations with West, Russia’s Medvedev says

The Russian security council deputy chairman was commenting on the idea that decisions from the Potsdam Conference were almost immediately breached by the Soviet Union’s former allies in the anti-Hitlerite coalition

Source confirms Ukraine’s invitation for Russia to hold talks next week

А source told TASS that no date had been agreed yet

India cautions EU against double standards in energy trade — Foreign Ministry

Official Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stressed that Government of India considers the provision of energy security a responsibility of paramount importance to meet the basic needs of its citizens

Trump calls Biden cruel, incompetent

US leader said that the previous American administration "tried to crush the industry" of cryptocurrencies

Russia’s Army-2025 event rescheduled for a later time — organizers

The event was initially slated for August 11-14, 2025

Russia nixes defense cooperation agreement with Germany

The agreement was signed in 1996

Saudi prince passes away after 20 years in coma

The Saudi royal, known as the "sleeping prince," sustained serious injuries in a traffic accident while he was studying at a military college in the UK

Russia’s Kolesnikov wins silver in men's 200m freestyle at World University Games

Jacob Mitchell of the United States came first, and another US swimmer, Baylor Nelson, was third

Russia says Ukraine lost over 220 soldiers in battlegroup West area of operations

According to the spokesman, acting with the support of artillery, heavy flamethrower systems and aviation, the battlegroup's units improved their positions along the forward line and struck formations of two mechanized brigades and two territorial defense brigades in the areas of Karpovka, Druzhelyubovka, Novosyolovka and Volchy Yar

Russian MFA spokeswoman talks about weapons smuggling from Ukraine, raps German officials

TASS has put together the highlights from the news conference

Former European commissioner says anti-Russian sanctions backfired

Verheugen said that despite European Union’s reluctance to admit it, figures show that "the policy of sanctions harmed its authors in the first place, first of all Germany"

Trump sketched erotic drawing for Epstein’s birthday, WSJ claims

According to the newspaper, the drawing, depicting an outline of a woman’s breasts and a "Donald" signature was accompanied by the line: "Happy Birthday — and may every day be another wonderful secret"

Ukraine invites Russia to hold next round of talks next week — Zelensky

According to Vladimir Zelensky, the proposal was made by Rustem Umerov, secretary of Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council and head of Kiev’s delegation to the Istanbul talks

EU imposes sanctions on prominent Russian film director Shakhnazarov — gazette

The European Union imposed sanctions on nine other Russian individuals, the Official Journal of the European Union reported

Times says Trump may meet with Putin, Xi in China

According to the report, a series of trade deals between the United States and China forced Trump to reconsider his hostile course towards Beijing

Russia says Ukraine lost up to 175 troops from battlegroup East operations over past day

According to the spokesman, a Bogdana self-propelled artillery unit and two towed howitzers were destroyed in a counter-battery battle

Russia starts series production of acoustic intelligence system

Series production has also been launched for the Malik acoustic drone detector updated to the second version in portable and mobile variants, the design bureau said

Trade with EU could drop to zero — Russian Foreign Ministry

Alexander Grushko also noted that the EU has adopted its 18th package of anti-Russian sanctions and intends to fully abandon Russian energy resources, including oil and gas

UK to lower price cap for Russian oil, following EU — Chancellor

Rachel Reeves said that the UK and its EU allies are turning the screw on

Umerov appointed to Security Council post to continue talks with Russia — lawmaker

Umerov, who headed the Defense Ministry since September 2023, lost his post when the entire government resigned

EU blacklists 23 Russian companies as part of 18th sanctions package — gazette

The sanctions package targets the Izhevsk Mechanical Plant, Aeroscan, a Moscow-based provider of solutions for businesses using unmanned aerial technologies, YATEC, a gas producer in Yakutia, and the Rubin research and development company, the bloc’s official gazette reports

Trump demands Germany transfer Patriot from its stocks to Kiev — Bild

According to the newspaper, the president does not intend to share the systems that the American army has

UN General Assembly adopts Russia-initiated draft resolution to modernize organization

The document sets out plans to strengthen the impact of the United Nations in the face of mounting global challenges and an increasingly complicated financial situation

Air defense system downs 13 drones targeting Moscow in span of less than two hours

"Emergency services are working where the debris fell," Mayor Sergey Sobyanin said

Russia’s Medvedev proposes fourth 'D' for Ukraine as deparasitization

Exactly 80 years ago, on July 17, 1945, the Potsdam Conference began, bringing together the heads of government from the Soviet Union, the United States, and Great Britain. The meeting laid the foundation for the post-war world order.

PM says Ukraine agrees in principle to sell UAVs to US

Yulia Sviridenko said Defense Minister Denis Shmygal will develop this proposal with the American side

NATO expects Kiev to lose control of coastal areas, plans to arm Moldova instead — expert

Earlier, Moldovan President Maia Sandu said that the country could abandon neutrality enshrined in its constitution and join NATO

Israeli army announces expansion of military operation in Gaza City

Over the past day, IDF troops operating in northern and central Gaza, "revealed enemy infrastructure and dismantled several terror infrastructure sites in the area of Beit Hanoun," the army noted

Fifth earthquake in a row rocks Kamchatka

This has been a fifth earthquake in a row in this region, the Telegram channel of the Kamchatka branch of the Geophysical Service of the Russian Academy of Sciences has said

Defense chief inspects military, social facilities in northern Russia

Andrey Belousov went to see a multidisciplinary medical center that was reconstructed in 2024 to provide medical services to military personnel and their families

Serial production of PD-8 engine for Superjet to start in 2025

According to Rostec, the corporation is ready to make thirty engines of this type

Syria’s president accuses Israel of making things worse with its bombing raids

Syrian Interim Ahmed al-Sharaa reaffirmed that the province of Sweida remains an integral part of Syria and the Druze are a "fundamental part of the Syrian national structure

Russian lawmaker reminds US general of nuclear doctrine

"An attack on the Kaliningrad Region will mean an attack on Russia, with all due retaliatory measures, stipulated, among other things, by its nuclear doctrine," Leonid Slutsky said

At least 1 person injured in Ukrainian strike on Donetsk

According to a TASS correspondent, the projectile fell near a five-story apartment building, damaging its facade, windows and balconies

Four more bodies found after Vietnamese boat capsized, death toll at 38

By midnight GMT, the crisis response center said five people are still listed as missing

Russian government approves draft agreement on military cooperation with DRC

It provides for the organization of joint drills and exercises, participation in and monitoring drills at the invitation of relevant agencies, visits by warships and warplanes at an invitation or request, training of the military and other formats of cooperation

Boat capsizes in northern Vietnam, killing 34 people

According to official reports, the vessel was carrying 53 people

Hungary will not accept EU budget aimed at financing Ukraine, PM says

"I will never accept an EU budget that will make Hungary vulnerable to blackmail," Viktor Orban wrote

Armed clashes in Syria’s Sweida over — interior ministry

"At present, no members of illegal armed groups are present in Sweida. Clashes have stopped in the entire city," Nour Eddin Al-Baba said

Western experts convinced that Trump irreversibly changed world order — Politico

The paper quotes former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice as admitting that "we’re probably not going back to exactly that system"

Trump believes Ukraine should go on offensive — media

The US president also asked "if Ukraine could bomb Moscow or St. Petersburg"

Putin reaffirms commitment to peace deal on Ukraine in call with Erdogan

On June 2, the second round of Russia-Ukraine talks took place in Istanbul

INTERVIEW: Russian ambassador says NATO arms Moldova despite its neutral status

According to the diplomat, it is in Moldova's national interests to preserve its neutral status and sovereignty

Nomination, registration of candidates in parliamentary election begins in Moldova

The period will last until August 20

Trump says any new nuclear facilities Iran may build will be obliterated

"All three nuclear sites in Iran were completely destroyed and/or obliterated," the US president wrote

EU’s fresh sanctions target 22 Russian banks, including T-Bank, Bank Saint Petersburg

Any transactions between European financial institutions and the affected banks are prohibited

Ovechkin takes walk along Moscow street decorated in his honor

The street was earlier decorated in honor of Ovechkin’s record for most goals in the history of the National Hockey League

NATO seeks to weaken Russia wherever conflicts remain unresolved, expert says

According to Ralph Bosshard, a retired Swiss lieutenant colonel and former military adviser to the OSCE secretary general, NATO members will primarily focus on the regions where "conflicts remain unresolved," including Transnistria, Abkhazia, South Ossetia and Crimea

Britain may join Trump plan to buy US weapons for Ukraine — Bloomberg

According to the report, Defense Secretary of the United Kingdom John Healey and German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius intend to discuss this on July 21

Russian, Turkish leaders discuss recent escalations in Syria over phone — Kremlin

The situation in Syria aggravated on July 13 when clashes between Arab tribal militias and Druze self-defense groups broke out in the heavily Druze-populated Sweida governorate

Western arms makers likely to support Kiev’s idea to test weapons versus Russia — expert

According to the expert, it is rather difficult to mock up actual battlefield conditions and weapons that were tested and entered into service in peacetime may turn out to be not that effective on the battlefield as expected

Google owes almost 27.3 billion rubles in accordance with Russian court verdicts

The court enforcement actions against Google were launched in 2021-2025

Trump says BRICS `fading out fast’ in wake of his 10% tariff threat for group

"BRICS wanted to try and take over the dollar, the dominance of the dollar, and the standard of the dollar," US President said

Medvedev calls Western actions against Russia a full-out war

"To Western elites, an independent and strong Russia has always seemed a historical anomaly and a very effective rebuff to the idea of their `civilizational superiority’", the politician maintained

Russia says EU’s 18th package of sanctions not to have desired effect

The restrictions imposed on imports from third countries of petroleum products produced from Russian oil "will inevitably lead to an increase in fuel prices on the EU market, the Russian Permanent Mission to the EU said

West’s push for rare-earth metals access borders on robbery — Russian MFA

"Rare-earth metals are the prize in the trade wars underway between the key suppliers of AI solutions to the market," Maria Zakharova pointed out

Russia to give decisive response if attacked by Taurus — MFA

Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova also noted that Germany’s assistance in the production of long-range systems in Ukraine could mask plans to localize the assembly of Taurus missiles at Ukrainian defense industry facilities

Russia’s Battlegroup East eliminates 28 Ukrainian drone command centers in 24 hours

Alexander Gordeyev said that during the last 24 hours, the adversary lost <…> an ammunition distributing point and 28 unmanned aviation command centers

RDIF calls for dialogue instead of sanctioning spiral — chief executive

Kirill Dmitriev stressed that the EU is afraid of peace and continues to be in the grip of hostile narratives

Russia not ruling out countermeasures against new EU sanctions — Foreign Ministry

"We will take measures supporting our interests in case of necessity," Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko stressed

At least 136 Palestinians killed in Israeli strikes on Gaza — Al Jazeera

The Israeli army opened fire at two GHF sites in the southern Gaza cities of Khan Younis and Rafah

Iran, Eurotroika agree to resume talks on nuclear program — Tasnim

The five permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany struck a nuclear deal with Iran in 2015 to address the crisis over its nuclear program

Russia’s Battlegroup West wipes out 31 Ukrainian drones, 53 drone command centers

Leonid Sharov said that units from Battlegroup West continue to implement the special military operation’s combat tasks

Russian FM says migrants' behavior in Europe provokes Islamophobia

The foreign minister says migrants lost their moral and spiritual values

Serbian president says Russia warns of preparations for Western-backed coup

"Those who dream of achieving something by force will fail," Aleksandar Vucic said

INTERVIEW: Russia minimized its military presence in Transnistria, Russian ambassador says

According to the diplomat, Russia has not taken a single step that would call into question the decisions that were taken at the talks on the settlement of the Transnistrian issue

Ukrainian officer says Zelensky's demobilization comments spell doom for scores of troops

When Vladimir Zelensky says 'only after victory' it’s effectively a death sentence for hundreds of thousands of people, Denis Yaroslavsky said

Baku, Yerevan ‘very close’ to signing peace agreement, says Azerbaijani president

"A peace agreement may be signed once two issues are resolved: Armenia’s constitution is amended and the OSCE Minsk Group is dissolved," Ilham Aliyev added

Death toll in violence in Syria’s Swaida reaches 940 — TV

Earlier reports put the death toll at 718

None of BRICS members seeks to replace dollar — Russian diplomat

According to Ryabkov, Russia already makes more than 90% of all payments with its BRICS partners in national currencies

Colonel General Mordvichev appointed commander-in-chief of Russia’s Ground Forces

Andrey Mordvichev, who was commander of the Battlegroup Center, succeeded Oleg Salyukov

Kremlin says is unaware of plan for Putin, Trump, Xi to meet in China in September

The British newspaper reported that Xi wants the US and Russian leaders to meet for war commemorations in September

Russia must respond to West’s treachery and even act preemptively — Medvedev

According to the Russian official, "the Potsdam Conference taught us that relations with the West should not be based on illusions"

No date yet for next round of Russia-Ukraine talks — source

Vladimir Zelensky said that Ukraine had invited Russia to hold the third round of talks next week

Russia says Ukraine lost up to 170 soldiers in battlegroup South area of operations

According to the spokesman, units of the battlegroup South seized control of better positions, struck manpower and equipment of three Ukrainian mechanized brigades, an airmobile brigade and a mountain assault brigade and a territorial defense brigade in the area of the settlements of Seversk, Konstantinovka, Kleban-Byk, Pleshcheyevka and Novosyolovka

Yemen’s Houthis report delivering missile strike on international airport in Israel

According to the rebels’ spokesperson Yahya Saree, the operation "successfully achieved its objective"

Moscow dismisses media reports that North Korean resort closed to Russians as fake news

"The American media, in cahoots with US intelligence, planted this fake news story," Maria Zakharova said

Polling stations open as Japan prepares to elect members of parliament’s upper chamber

According to surveys, the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and its coalition partner Komeito may lose its majority in the upper chamber, as it did in the lower chamber last fall

Zelensky wants to sack Zaluzhny because of his secret talks with West — Hersh

Commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian armed forces, says journalist, talks about the possibility of a ceasefire and peace process

Ukraine receives Abrams tanks from Australia, defense chief says

The rest of the tanks will be delivered "in the coming months," Denis Shmygal added

US may have approved Kiev’s talks proposal with Russia — Der Spiegel

According to it, a recent visit by US Special Presidential Envoy for Ukraine Keith Kellogg to Ukraine points to this development of events

Mercenaries from Colombia, Brazil take part in fighting in Sumy Region

"Earlier, the same information came from Ukrainian captives," a Russian security official said

Syrian president announces immediate ceasefire in Druze conflict

Ahmed al-Sharaa called on all sides to respect the truce, halt all hostilities in all areas, make sure civilians are safe and humanitarian aid deliveries are unimpeded

Ukraine doesn’t have resources to carry out offensive — Strana

Analysts note that recently all Ukrainian attempts to attack have ended with heavy losses and little or no result

Sollers forecasts Russian car market to plunge by 30% in 2025

The current situation in the market is extremely challenging, Deputy CEO of the Russian automaker Zoya Kaika stressed

Russian ambassador says full-scale gas supplies to Moldova must resume

According to Oleg Ozerov, Russia has repeatedly called and continues to call for the "normalization of energy supply issues" with Moldova

Russia says Ukraine lost more than 1,195 soldiers in special operation area over past day

Units of the battlegroup Deipro struck formations of Ukrainian mechanized and mountain assault brigades and two territorial defense brigades in the areas of the towns of Malaya Tokmachka and Novoandreyevka in the Zaporozhye Region and Antonovka and Ponyatovka in the Kherson Region

Israeli military intercept missile launched from Yemen

Earlier in the day, sirens sounded in many parts of Israel, including in Tel Aviv

US has couple more major trade deals in pipeline — Trump

"We have a couple of big ones to announce pretty soon," the president said

Gabbard accuses Obama administration of fabricating data on Russian interference in 2016

Their goal was to subvert the will of the American people and enact what was essentially a years-long coup with the objective of trying to usurp US leader Donald Trump from fulfilling the mandate, Director of National Intelligence said

Air defense system shoots down three Ukrainian UAVs flying to Moscow

Sergey Sobyanin said that emergency services specialists are working at the crash site