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Middle East conflict

Israeli strikes on Lebanon leave over 30 dead, 149 wounded — Health Ministry

According to the report, the number of victims may rise as rescue operations continue in the Haret Hreik and Al-Jamous neighborhoods on the southern outskirts of Beirut, where missiles struck two residential buildings

BEIRUT, March 2. /TASS/. At least 31 people were killed and 149 more were wounded in the first wave of Israeli air strikes on Lebanese territory, according to a report by the country's Health Ministry posted on X.

"The number of victims may rise as rescue operations continue in the Haret Hreik and Al-Jamous neighborhoods on the southern outskirts of Beirut, where missiles struck two residential buildings," the statement said.

Earlier reports indicated that more than 10 residents had been killed in the area, including the head of the Shiite Hezbollah parliamentary faction, Mohammad Raad.

Middle East conflict

Russia ready to mediate in defusing tensions in Middle East — ambassador to Israel

Anatoly Viktorov also recalled that Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has already engaged in several telephone conversations with regional counterparts

OPEC+ to increase oil production by 206,000 bpd from April

The next OPEC+ meeting will be held on April 5

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

Trump allows for lifting of sanctions if new Iranian leadership proves pragmatic — NYT

At the same time, the US leader refused to clarify whether the US would in any way support those attempting to overthrow the current Iranian authorities

Iran vows revenge for Khamenei’s death

President Masoud Pezeshkian called the assassination of Khamenei by the US and Israel is a declaration of war on Muslims worldwide

Aggression against Iran may lead to escalation beyond region — Russian envoy

Vasily Nebenzya says it is unacceptable to use military force amid negotiations "in full swing"

Tehran open to any efforts toward de-escalation of regional tensions — Iran’s top diplomat

Abbas Araghchi noted that the Israeli-US attack on his country was a cause of escalating tensions and panic in the region

Iran attacks at least six US military bases in Middle East — NYT

Iran has targeted US bases in Bahrain, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait

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

Chinese pork exports to Russia restored amid war of sanctions

On October 11, 32 containers with 800 tons of meat were shipped to Russia under control of Rosselkhoznadzor specialists in China

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

Abbas Araghchi shared this information with NBC News

Iran launches another attack on US bases in Middle East — news agency

According to the report, the attacks targeted Bahrain, Kuwait, Abu Dhabi and Dubai in the UAE, as well as Doha in Qatar

Iran targets German bases in Jordan, Iraq — magazine

While all projectiles and drones were neutralized by air defense systems, one US soldier was affected by falling debris, Der Spiegel reported

British Akrotiri base in Cyprus damaged by drone strike — Cyprus Mail

According to the newspaper, a small drone had impacted the airfield of the base

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"

Retaliatory Iranian strikes affect ten countries in Middle East

Namely, Bahrein, Jordan, Iraq, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, where US military bases are stationed, came under Iranian missile and drone attacks

Lavrov, Wang Yi express readiness to promote stabilization in Middle East

The two top diplomats condemned the United States and Israel’s massive strikes on the Iranian territory carried out despite Tehran’s openness to dialogue, the Russian foreign ministry said

Kellogg calls Kiev's statements "posturing" amid "catastrophic losses"

The conflict needs to be brought to an end, the US Special Presidential Envoy for Ukraine emphasized

Press review: Iran offers oil deals as US sets deadline and Iceland eyes EU entry

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, February 27th

In Russia’s Novorossiysk, 4 apartment buildings damaged in UAV attack, 1 person injured

Emergency services are working on site

US operation against Iran moving `ahead of schedule’, Trump says

Things are evolving in a very positive way right now, the US President said

US possesses ammunition reserves to continue strikes on Iran — Trump

The US leader reportedly ignored "the Pentagon’s concerns that the conflict could further deplete reserves that military strategists have said are critical to" deterring threats in other regions

Europe harming itself by sabotaging its own interests — US Vice President

JD Vance also pointed out that that he would like to see greater efforts from European states to protect their borders in order to preserve "civilizational coherence"

Iranian strikes on US bases kill 200 servicemen — IRGC

The US and Israel earlier launched a military operation against Iran

Operation against Iran unlikely to affect Russia-US talks on Ukraine — expert

According to Mark Episkopos, "compartmentalization of other regional issues has served both sides well, with steady progress toward a diplomatic solution in Ukraine"

Japanese Nikkei index falls by 2.28% amid situation in Middle East

Japanese analysts attribute investor caution to increased geopolitical risks following the US-Israel strike on Iran

Iran’s missile attack target CIA headquarters in Dubai — Fars

Information was received earlier about four people injured after Iran’s attack against the Dubai International Airport

Another barrage of missiles fired from Iran at Israel — IDF

The Aerial Defense Array is currently identifying and intercepting threats, the Israeli Defense Forces press service reported

More than 100 children died in strike against school in Iran — diplomat

Permanent Representative to the UN Amir-Saeid Iravani says numerous residential buildings were damaged

Kiev forces lose HIMARS launcher, Grad combat vehicle in Battlegroup North zone

The Ukrainian armed forces lost more than 200 servicemen, the Russian Defense Ministry reported

IRGC say disabled air defense radar in UAE, US ship

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps noted that Iranian forces "continue targeting the US fleet deployed to the region"

Putin calls Khamenei's assassination ‘cynical violation of all moral and legal norms’

The Russian President has condemned the assassination of Iran's Supreme Leader

Pentagon Chief says US didn't start the conflict with Iran

Washington will finish it, Pete Hegseth said

Iran attacked more than 20 US bases — IRGC

The headquarters of the Israel Defense Forces and a defense complex in Tel Aviv were also among the targets, according to the IRGC

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

The US and Israel earlier launched a military operation against Iran

FACTBOX: Reports of injuries in Novorossiysk as 172 Ukrainian drones hit Russian regions

Five people were wounded in the attack on Novorossiysk in southern Russia, 17 residential buildings, including eight apartment buildings, and a daycare center were damaged

UAE moves to close its embassy in Iran — foreign ministry

The move comes amid what the ministry called blatant Iranian missile attacks targeting Emirati soil

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

US shows intent to act without waiting for growth of threats — ex-official

The former member of the Trump transition team says that only a proactive deterrence "puts every bad actor on notice"

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

Nuclear weapons are now only deterrent to world — top lawmaker

"The international institutions that were once established have been weakened," Vyacheslav Volodin said

US mercenaries fabricate tall tales to join Ukrainian foreign legion

Americans claim fictitious participation in Operation Red Dawn and inflate their years of service

At least 150 tankers drop anchor in Persian Gulf — agency

According to the agency, the tankers are clustered in open waters off the coasts of major Gulf countries

Iran’s MFA confirms defense chief, other senior generals were killed in US-Israeli attacks

The Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that these people were at the forefront of defending the country’s independence

Growth of Brent crude price slows to 5.82% after over 13% hike as trading opened

As of 7:06 a.m. Moscow time the Brent price was up by 5.82% at $77.11 per barrel

US acknowledges there was no intelligence about Iran planning to attack first — Reuters

US President Donald Trump previously made this statement

IRNA news agency confirmed death of Iran’s Defense Council Secretary, IRGC chief

Shamkhani and Pakpour were killed in strikes against Iran on February 28, the news agency reported

Special Russian emergencies ministry flight from Egypt arrives in Moscow

On board the aircraft are 84 Russian citizens, all of whom are diplomatic workers and members of their families

IDF detects rocket launches from Lebanon for first time since ceasefire — press service

A projectile that crossed from Lebanon into Israeli territory was intercepted by the Israeli Air Force

Iran’s Supreme Leader killed — state TV

The broadcaster called the event "the death of a martyr"

Air defenses down 84 Ukrainian drones over Russian regions

The Russian Defense Ministry reported that 34 of them were shot down over the Black Sea

Enemy stands no chance of crossing to Dnieper’s left bank in Kherson region — governor

Despite the difficulties associated with the operational situation, the region continues to develop, Vladimir Saldo noted

Israeli army to call up 100,000 reservists amid situation around Iran

The Israel Defense Forces is preparing to increase readiness across multiple fronts in Operation Roaring Lion targeting Iran

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

Lavrov condemns US-Israeli aggression against Iran in phone call with his UAE counterpart

The two top diplomats "highlighted the destabilizing nature of the military escalation in the region that poses security threats to the Arab countries in the Persian Gulf"

Middle East, Europe to be victim of US war — political researcher

The Europeans will be exposed to risks of terrorist attacks and ethno-religious tensions, the director of the Eurasia Program at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft says

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

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

Gulf countries call on Iran to immediately cease aggression against them

According to the GCC declaration , "the Gulf countries will take all measures to ensure their own security"

Russian embassy in Ankara reports attempted sabotage on TurkStream, Blue Stream

Earlier, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Russian intelligence services have information about the Kiev regime’s preparations for sabotage on the Black Sea gas pipelines

Three officials to temporarily lead Iran

IRNA news agency did not disclose the length of the transitional period and the scope of the authorities of the officials

Trump believes it is now simpler for Washington to reach agreement with Iran — CBS

The US president refused to qualify the attacks as a war

Iran's supreme leader now at headquarters — TV

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

Israeli strikes on Lebanon leave over 30 dead, 149 wounded — Health Ministry

According to the report, the number of victims may rise as rescue operations continue in the Haret Hreik and Al-Jamous neighborhoods on the southern outskirts of Beirut, where missiles struck two residential buildings

US president tells NYT he sees three candidates for post of Iran's leader

Donald Trump declined to respond to a request to name specific names

Top Iranian diplomat says new supreme leader may be elected in couple of says

Iran’s state television reported the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

Operation against Iran overturns global order — expert

Director of the Nuclear Studies Institute at American University Professor Peter Kuznick says it is impossible to predict "how or when it’s going to end"

IN BRIEF: What is known about Israeli offensive in Lebanon

The Shia group Hezbollah will not leave the battlefield and will continue its resistance, the organization's Secretary General Sheikh Naim Qassem said

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

According to the source, air defense systems continue to operate

IRGC announces launch of 7th, 8th stages of Operation True Promise-2

It was to retaliate the Israeli and US aggression

Strait of Hormuz open to tankers ‘until further notice’ — Iranian official

Former commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps General Mohsen Rezaei said that the American military and their contingent in the region are now considered "legitimate targets" for Tehran

First 200 Storm reconnaissance drones delivered to Russian troops

The Gaskar company company also developed a cargo drone capable of transporting loads weighing up to 25 kilograms over distances of up to 20 kilometers

UN chief claims principle of self-determination does not apply to Crimea, Donbass

Antonio Guterres said that the Office of Legal Affairs came to this conclusion after a very careful study

Brent price may gain $20 a barrel as early as on March 2

This scenario is possible if no de-escalation around Iran is noted on Sunday, Rystad Energy says

Khamenei killed in his residence on February 28 — State TV

The national leader was performing "official duties," the state television says

Pro-Iranian group claims responsibility for attack on Erbil airport

The group announced a large-scale operation against US military facilities in Iraq to avenge the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

No plans to close Strait of Hormuz at this stage, Iran’s top diplomat says

Iran has no intention to block navigation there, Abbas Araghchi said

US shifts to attempt to dominate through pure force — political scientist

Washington has forgone any claim "to be a benevolent hegemon," the director of the Eurasia Program at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft says

Russia’s fifth-generation Sibiryachok recon drone undergoing trials in special op zone

The drone records video of the terrain and can fly up to 20 kilometers at an altitude of up to 1,000 meters

Iran appoints Ahmad Vahidi as New Revolutionary Guard commander-in-chief — Nasr

Earlier, the IRGC confirmed the death of its commander-in-chief, General Mohammad Pakpour

US to continue operation against Iran until it achieves its objectives — Trump

The US leader emphasized that Washington "cannot allow" Iran to possess long-range missiles

Pro-Iranian group attacked US base in Iraq’s Erbil — Fars

The news agency reported a plume of smoke at the facility

Escalation on Middle East can lead to the biggest gas market crisis since 2022 — Bloomberg

As noted, 20% of global LNG supplies pass through the Strait of Hormuz, and after its closure, they were effectively blocked

Iran claims to have destroyed US naval base in Kuwait

Three other US naval infrastructure facilities in Kuwait were also destroyed, IRGC said

Explosion takes place at British Akrotiri air base in Cyprus — In-Cyprus portal

Aircraft began taking off from the base's airfield, the portal said

US aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln moved away from Iran after strike — IRGC

The US Central Command reported that the carrier came under fire but was not hit

Eight die, 28 wounded in Israel’s Beit Shemesh after Iranian shelling attack

According to the national ambulance service, two of those wounded people are in critical condition

At least 172 Ukrainian drones shot down over Russian regions overnight — defense ministry

67 of them were destroyed over the Black Sea waters

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

Khamenei’s murder constitutes attack on core principles of international law — Araghchi

Iranian Foreign Minister stated that "the deliberate targeting of the Highest Official of the Islamic Republic of Iran, therefore, constitutes a grave and unprecedented breach of the most fundamental norms governing relations among states"

IRGC vows to revenge for death of Iran’s Supreme Leader

The armed forces will "decisively take vengeance" on the murderers, the corps said as cited by IRNA news agency

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

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

Durov’s fortune loses $2.24 bln in February 2026 — Bloomberg

It decreased to $12.1 bln

Battlegroup North drones destroy more than 30 Ukrainian personnel in past day

The chief of the battlegroup’s fire control, call sign "Karta," said that unmanned systems crews of the Battlegroup North’s 11th Corps also destroyed communications centers, Starlink satellite stations, and signal amplifier antennas for controlling drones of Ukrainian forces

Trump says Ukraine 'already lost territory'

Donald Trump also added that the US is working with Europe on the security guarantee

Brent crude oil price rises by 12.2% amid escalation in the Middle East — trading data

According to Rystad Energy analysis, continued conflict in Iran and a halt of tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz could lead to a 20% price increase

Impact on Russia from Middle East conflict depends on its duration — experts

In conditions of high uncertainty, one can only speak of a general increase in risks, Anton Tabakh, chief economist at rating agency Expert RA, emphasized

IRGC announces launch of another series of attacks on Israeli, US targets

The strikes target all US and Israeli facilities in the Middle East

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

The source reported that Washington had been prepared for the attacks

Kallas announces reinforcement of EU naval mission Aspides — Reuters

EU foreign policy chief pointed out that additional ships will be supplied

Iran’s governing council begins its work — president

Iran’s state television reported the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei