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US-Israeli strikes on Iran

US president says Tehran did not want to strike deal with Washington

The Iranians got close to the agreement but then withdrew, Donald Trump says

US President Donald Trump Anna Moneymaker/ Getty Images

US President Donald Trump

© Anna Moneymaker/ Getty Images

WASHINGTON, February 28. /TASS/. US President Donald Trump said he decided to launch a large-scale military operation against Iran because Tehran did not want to reach an agreement with Washington.

"The Iranians got close [to a deal] and then pulled back - close and then pulled back. I understood from that that they don't really want a deal," the US leader told Axios.

According to the article, Trump said there was a "failure of negotiations" with Iran, which was the main reason for the start of the operation.

US-Israeli strikes on Iran

Operation against Iran expected to last five days, but timing may change — media

According to the sources cited by Axios, the length of the campaign depends on the fate of the Islamic Republic's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

US, Israel violate international law with their strikes on Iran — Russian mission to UN

Such dangerous gambles are aimed at destroying peace, stability, and security throughout the Middle East region, the statement reads

Iran maintains close contact with Russia, China after US-Israeli assault, says Araghchi

The Iranian foreign minister pledged to work on all proposals that would be fair, reasonable and help put an end to the war

Russian air defenses intercept 315 Ukrainian UAVs, Flamingo cruise missile over past day

Russia’s Defense Ministry reported that air defense capabilities shot down eight guided aerial bombs, ten rockets of the US-made HIMARS multiple launch rocket system

White House faces risk of air defense shortage at US bases in Middle East — news agency

The source reported that President Donald Trump was informed of the high risks and potential benefits of the operation for the US

EU pays minimum amount for Russian gas in five years in November 2025

In the reported period, the EU imported Russian gas for a total of 752.5 mln euros

What Solzhenitsyn said about Putin, and vice versa

The prominent writer and historian, who was exiled to GULAG camp, was born on December 11, 1918

Trump says he intends to visit Venezuela

Donald Trump emphasized that the US has "a very good relationship" with Venezuela's authorized president Delcy Rodriguez

US president says Tehran did not want to strike deal with Washington

The Iranians got close to the agreement but then withdrew, Donald Trump says

Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv to remain closed for 48 hours

Israel closed its airspace earlier after attacking Iran

Ukraine suffers more than 1.5 million casualties since Russia launched special military op

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, Ukraine has lost about 65,000 servicemen since the beginning of 2026

Russian troops liberate four communities in Ukraine operation over week — top brass

Russia’s Battlegroup North inflicted more than 1,485 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed five enemy armored combat vehicles in its areas of responsibility over the week, the Defense Ministry reported

Pezeshkian calls US-Israeli strike on school in Iran barbaric — press service

The Iranian president strongly condemned the attack and expressed his condolences to the families of the victims

Turkey does not back attacks on Iran — Erdogan's administration

According to the statement, the Republic of Turkey will not allow its air, land, or sea assets, including its airspace, to be used for operational purposes or to benefit parties in any conflict or war in which it is not a participant

Iran designates EU countries’ navies, air forces as terrorist organizations

According to the statement, "based on the principle of reciprocity," the Iranian foreign ministry recognizes and declares "the navies and air forces of all EU member states as terrorist organizations"

Consequences of using nuclear bomb, Russian developments: Putin's statements

The Russian president said that Russia has promising defense and civilian developments, and some of them have not yet been publicly presented

Russia calls on Afghanistan, Pakistan to stop confrontation, return to talks — MFA

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova urged Kabul and Islamabad to resolve all differences through political and diplomatic means

Musk accuses company Anthropic of anti-Western hatred

Earlier, US Deputy Secretary of Defense Emil Michael stated that previously, Anthropic’s AI model adhered to the principle of avoiding answers that could offend non-Western cultures

Attacks on Tehran kill supreme leader's daughter-in-law, son-in-law — mayor's office

Earlier reports indicated that the Iranian supreme leader was at the crisis headquarters

Iran launches hypersonic missiles in response to US, Israeli strikes — news agency

The US and Israel earlier launched a military operation against Iran

Russia’s Krasnopol-M2 guided shell exceeds Western analogues in accuracy — Rostec

The use of these guided munitions turns self-propelled artillery units and towed howitzers from area suppression weapons into a tool for the precise destruction of enemy targets, Rostec representatives said

Press review: EU delays Ukraine association as US businesses demand Trump tariff refunds

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, February 25th

Iranian strikes on US bases not directed against friendly countries — diplomat

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced a large-scale retaliatory operation, after the US and Israel launched a military operation against Iran

Russia’s retail trade turnover up 2.4% YOY in 10M 2025 — statistics

Retail sales in October 2025 gained 4.8% annually

Iran retaliates by launching nearly 1,200 missiles — general

The US and Israel previously launched a military operation against Iran

Russian naval destroyer passing through Suez Canal on its way to Mediterranean Sea

The Vice-Admiral Kulakov has completed its tasks in the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea

US faces unprecedented scale of simultaneous attacks on overseas bases — WSJ

The source reported that Washington had been prepared for the attacks

Rubio designates Iran as state sponsor of wrongful detention

The US secretary of state called on Americans to abstain from traveling to the country

Chinese, Russian forces hold joint drills on combating threats — Chinese Foreign Ministry

Spokeswoman Mao Ning specified that this way, Beijing and Moscow are strengthening inter-army strategic cooperation

Iranian foreign minister pledges attack on Iranian school to not go unanswered

Abbas Araghchi stressed that dozens of innocent children have been murdered at this site alone

UK, French paratroopers prepare for deployment to Ukraine — newspaper

The newspaper noted that the strength of the UK Armed Forces was approximately 70,000, which is the lowest figure in more than 200 years

Armenia says Azerbaijani forces remain in Syunik, demands their withdrawal

Armenia’s Defense Ministry noted that Azerbaijani forces "must return to their original positions without any preconditions"

About 200 Israeli Air Force fighter jets attack Iran in largest operation in history

The Israel Defense Forces said that the primary targets of the massive air raid were missile launchers and defensive systems in western and central Iran

Iran’s Bushehr comes under missile attack

A nuclear power plant built by Russian specialists is located there

Netanyahu calls on Iranian citizens to rise up, overthrow government

The Israeli prime minister urged people to "not sit idly by"

Israeli Air Force continues to attack Iranian targets

Operations will continue as required, the IDF reported

Middle East conflict expanding, driving up energy prices — Szijjarto

According to the Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, under such conditions, Ukraine’s blocking of key transport routes is a crime twice over

French diva Patricia Kaas 'ready to team up with Russian musicians'

The French singer will perform concerts in 12 Russian cities

IRGC allegedly notifies ships of closing Strait of Hormuz — media

The source said that no ship is allowed to pass the Strait of Hormuz

Enemy unable to inflict strategic defeat on Russia resorts to terrorism — Putin

The head of state stressed that the fight against terrorism should be intensified

Russia capable of taking measures to mitigate damage from sanctions - Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov stressed that Russia "has every possibility and potential to do that"

Kazakhstan is switching to new form of political system — incumbent President Tokayev

He also announced cardinal reforms of the country’s economy

NATO troops in Ukraine to remain unacceptable for Russia — Ex-UK ambassador

Former UK Ambassador to Moscow Anthony Brenton opined that progress on this issue requires not just the passage of time, but also "a sharp change of attitude" by one side or the other, including based on the situation on the battlefield

Aragchi tells Lavrov US, Israel must be held accountable for aggression

The top Iranian diplomat stressed the importance of decisive action by the international community, especially by the UN Security Council

Missiles launched from Iran may carry warheads with fragmenting elements — IDF

As the army press service reported, the Home Front Command directives do not change

Russia to demand US, Israel stop illegal actions against Iran at UN Security Council

The permanent mission to the UN added that Russia is ready to provide all necessary assistance to achieve political and diplomatic settlement

Nearly 90 children killed in missile strikes on three schools in Iran — Education Ministry

The exact number stands at 86 kids

IN BRIEF: Russia’s stance on UK, French plans to hand over nuclear weapons to Kiev

Paris and London’s plans to transfer nuclear technologies to Kiev for the purpose of creating a bomb as bordering on insanity, Dmitry Peskov said

Missile falls near five-star Fairmont The Palm hotel in Dubai

According to the source, air defense systems continue to operate

Iran capable of defending itself — foreign minister

The US and Israel launched a military operation against Iran, where major cities, including Tehran, were hit

West turns even obvious situation with attack on Iran upside down — Russian MFA

Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova says that a public misunderstanding makes European representatives reiterate their position

Ukraine used Druzhba to pump its oil — Reuters

According to the report, Kiev pumped about 40,000 metric tons of oil monthly into the oil pipeline before the halt of supplies

Russian Security Council blames London for escalation between Pakistan, Afghanistan

The Security Council is concerned about the situation and has called for conflicts to be settled peacefully

US and Israel use Iran's nuclear issue to exert pressure — Kosachev

The Deputy Speaker of the Russian Federation Council lamented that little had changed over 46 years

US ready to hold talks with Iran on February 27 if Tehran responds to proposals — media

The report says that US President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff and businessman Jared Kushner "plan to be in Geneva on February 27" if Iran responds early next week

Lavrov, Qatari foreign minister discuss situation around Iran

The parties unanimously agreed that any military action that could destabilize the entire region should be stopped

Israel asserts Khamenei's death confirmed — media

According to the state broadcaster, the Israeli side has a confirmation of this fact

Press review: Donbass eyes referendum to join Russia and why Baku renewed Karabkah gamble

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, March 28th

Iran's supreme leader now at headquarters — TV

According to the source, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is personally directing military operations

US Armed Forces start military operation against Iran — Trump

The goal of the US operation against Iran is to prevent it from obtaining nuclear weapons, he noted

Araghchi tells Lavrov about consequences of strike on Iranian school

The Iranian foreign minister called this military aggression a gross violation of the basic principles of the UN charter and a clear crime against peace and international security

IRGC closes Strait of Hormuz to vessel traffic after attack on Iran

Brigadier General Ebrahim Jabbari said this in an interview with Al Mayadeen

Operation against Iran expected to last five days, but timing may change — media

According to the sources cited by Axios, the length of the campaign depends on the fate of the Islamic Republic's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

War with Iran heightens risk of oil price shock on global market — expert

Andrey Koshkin noted that it is not yet clear how all this will end for Donald Trump, if gasoline prices rise

British trace visible in case of assassination attempt on General Alexeyev — FSB chief

Alexander Bortnikov noted that the Ukrainian intelligence services were the masterminds

Danish firm arms heavy hexacopter with two large-caliber guns

The system was unveiled at the Enforce Tac 2026 exhibition in Nuremberg, Germany

Russian troops fighting in outskirts of Svyatogorsk in Donetsk region — military expert

Andrey Marochko added that Ukrainian troops are still controlling some commanding heights near Svyatogorsk, which impedes the Russian army’s advance and the town’s liberation

US targeted IRGC command posts, air defense systems, military airfields in Iran — CENTCOM

According to the US authority, it prioritized the locations that "posed an imminent threat"

US agrees with Russia that nuclear war could not be won — White House

Jen Psaki added that US President Joe Biden remains unwilling to send US troops to Ukraine

Lavrov warns of adverse consequences in case of new strikes on Iran

Russian Foreign Minister noted that the US and Israeli strikes on Iran in June 2025 not only undermined the authority of the International Atomic Energy Agency and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, but also "there were real risks of a nuclear incident"

Iran’s refusal to enrich uranium red line in negotiations for US — Witkoff

The special US envoy claimed Tehran would have enough uranium enriched to the level needed to make a nuclear bomb within a week

Iranian strikes on US bases kill 200 servicemen — IRGC

The US and Israel earlier launched a military operation against Iran

Diplomat compares West's tactics on Iran with its behavior over Minsk agreements

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova says there is no information on Iran withdrawing from the negotiations

Iran warns of spread of war to Middle East countries with US bases

The statement on the social media was accompanied by a map showing the location of American bases all over the region

Ukraine is committing a crime by blocking Druzhba amid strikes on Iran — Orban

The Hungarian prime minister assured that Budapest would not yield to pressure from Ukraine and would not make concessions

Iran calls on UN to condemn US, Israeli strikes without reservation — top diplomat

Abbas Araghchi emphasized that the current actions are undermining regional stability

Israeli, US strikes did not seriously damage Iran's defense forces — TV channel

The source reported that Iran had been prepared for a long war

Death toll in Iranian school strike nears 160 — Foreign Ministry

Spokesman Esmail Baghaei said this attack is a terrible crime

English-speaking mercenaries show declining desire to fight for Ukraine — commander

Lieutenant General Apty Alaudinov noted that most of the mercenaries, fighting on Ukraine's side, were Spanish-speakers at present

Thirteen countries to work with Russia, China on creation of Lunar Station — Roscosmos

Russia has unique scientific expertise in the study of Venus with domestic landing technology that remains unmatched globally, as well as in the study of the Moon and Mars

Lavrov condemns US-Israeli armed attack on Iran — Russian Foreign Ministry

Sergey Lavrov also noted "Russia's readiness to promote the search for peaceful solutions based on international law"

Oil prices to exceed $100 per barrel — Dmitriev

The head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund earlier said that the closure of the Strait of Hormuz would not spare the US and would lead to to a "global oil shock"

DPR records fewest weekly civilian injuries since February 2023

Five civilians died in Ukrainian strikes over the past week

Ukraine loses some 1,330 troops along engagement line over past day — Russia’s top brass

The latest figures show that the Ukrainian army lost up to 220 troops in the responsibility area of Russia’s Battlegroup North

Ukrainian military uses sophisticated attacks on civilian targets — Kherson governor

"The Russian Armed Forces are doing everything possible to diminish the Ukrainian military’s firepower," Vladimir Saldo stated

Ex-PM of Ukraine dismisses claims of territorial concessions by Kiev negotiators

Nikolay Azarov added that the entire Kiev administration is a puppet regime

US seeking a takeover of Cuba — Trump

On January 29, the United States signed an executive order making it possible for Washington to impose tariffs on goods from countries supplying oil to Cuba

Israeli army reports new missile attack from Iran

The local population has been instructed to take shelter

US plans series of escalating strikes on Iran with pauses to assess damage — journalist

Jim Sciutto said that each round will be over a one to two-day period with pauses to reset

FACTBOX: What we know about joint US-Israeli military operation in Iran

Explosions were heard across the country, according to Iranian media reports

Iran's supreme leader, president alive amid US, Israeli strikes — top diplomat

Abbas Araghchi shared this information with NBC News

Russian watchdog blacklists US legal entity Anti-Corruption Foundation as terrorist

Additionally, Lithuanian citizen Andrejus Trofimovas, who is currently on the international wanted list, has been incorporated into the registry

Senior Russian diplomat discusses Middle East situation with Jordan’s ambassador

The meeting took place at the request of the Jordanian diplomat

US military repelled hundreds of Iranian missile, drone attacks — CENTCOM

There have been no reports of US casualties or combat-related injuries

British forces in Ukraine constitute legitimate target for Russian army — Russian envoy

Earlier, the UK Defense Ministry reported that a headquarters unit of the so-called multinational forces for Ukraine has begun work as part of preparations for sending troops to Ukrainian territory from the countries which have declared themselves part of the Coalition of the Willing, after the end of the conflict

US considers it possible to reach deal on Ukraine soon — president

Donald Trump emphasized that "it's a question of when"

Poland conceals its role in 1938 Munich Agreement — Russian charge d'affaires

Historical narratives that cast Poland in a negative light are being deliberately suppressed, Andrey Ordash said

Attack on school in Iran kills 40, wounds 48 people — agency

The White House justified the attack by Iran’s alleged missile and nuclear threats

EU wants to join talks on Ukraine to derail them — Russian diplomat

Ambassador to the UK Andrey Kelin says that London and its allies "have nothing to propose" in the negotiations

Trump’s allegations on Iranian possible threat to US are 'absurd lies' — diplomat

The United States and Israel launched a combined military operation against Iran in the morning of February 28

UN secretary-general calls for immediate cessation of hostilities in Middle East

Antonio Guterres warned against escalating to a wider regional conflict with grave consequences for civilians and regional stability