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United States to cut off trade with Spain — Trump

The US president recalled that Spain had been the only NATO country to refuse to increase defense expenditures to 5% of the GDP

WASHINGTON, March 3. /TASS/. The United States is going to rupture all trade relations with Spain after its refusal to increase defense expenditures to 5% of the GDP, President Donald Trump said.

"They have great people, but they don't have great leadership. And as you know, they were the only country that in NATO would not agree to go up to 5%. I don't think they want to agree to go up to anything," Trump said at the press conference with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in the White House.

"They wanted to keep it at 2% and they don't pay the 2% so we're going to cut off all trade with Spain. We don't want anything to do with Spain," the US leader added.

Khamenei murder to have legal consequences for aggressor states — Iran’s ambassador

"The foregoing is without prejudice to accountability for the ongoing war crimes, crimes against humanity, and the crime of aggression being committed by the agents of the United States and the Israeli regime.", Asadollah Eshrang Jahromi said

Russia’s small missile ship Burya test-fires Pantsir-M missile system in Baltic Sea

The Pantsir-M surface-to-air missile/gun system was fired as part of state trials for the Burya small missile ship

Kuwaiti air defenses destroy over 380 UAVs, 180 missiles launched from Iran — ministry

The Kuwaiti Defense Ministry stressed that the country's Armed Forces are on high alert

US president says Washington to soon achieve its goals in Iran — reporter

"It's getting very close too," Donald Trump said

Iraq says over 70 rockets, drones attack Erbil since start of escalation

Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein pointed out the complexity of Baghdad's position in the current conflict, as Iraq is "being attacked by various parties involved in the confrontation in the region"

European gas price may jump to $600 even with short Hormuz closure — expert

A closure would affect more than 20% of global LNG exports

IN BRIEF: Rosatom Chief’s statements on situation around Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant

Work at the Bushehr NPP construction site has been completely suspended

Russian troops liberate three communities in Ukraine operation over past day — top brass

According to the latest figures, the Ukrainian army lost roughly 1,260 troops in battles with Russian forces in all the frontline areas over the past 24 hours

UAE, Qatar want to convince US to shorten operation against Iran — Bloomberg

The countries are seeking to build a wide coalition to advance a swift and diplomatic end to the conflict to prevent regional escalation and a prolonged energy price shock, Bloomberg reports

Press review: Israel opens second front as Trump shows no clear Iran strategy outlook

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, March 3rd

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

IN BRIEF: On current issues Putin and Orban discussed by phone

In a conversation with the Hungarian PM, the Russian leader emphasized Hungary's sovereign course and principled position in support of a diplomatic resolution to the conflict in Ukraine

New Middle East war more dangerous than nuclear war — analyst

According to Dmitry Kuzyakin, the world is witnessing the beginning of the end of the old paradigm of warfare

Epic Fury timing, US goals in Iran: statements by Pentagon

When conducting a military operation against Iran, the United States is ready to go "as far as we need to advance American interests," Pentagon Chief Pete Hegseth said

West afraid ‘to call a spade a spade’ in situation involving Iran — Russian MFA

Alexander Alimov described the escalation around Iran as another in a series of unprovoked acts of armed aggression against a sovereign independent state, a violation of the UN Charter, and interference in the country's internal affairs

Israel, US deliver new round of strikes against Tehran — Iranian state television

Powerful explosions have occurred in the city

Qatar Energy set to declare force majeure on LNG supplies — Reuters

Earlier, the company announced suspension of production of LNG and related products due to Iran’s air strikes

Israeli operation against Iran may continue until April — radio

This statement came after US President Donald Trump suggested that hostilities in the Middle East may continue for several weeks

Russia’s latest Yolka drones repel attack by over 50 Lyuty UAVs in Bryansk Region

"As it carries no explosives, the drone can be safely used to protect populated areas and critical infrastructure facilities," the company noted

US administration retains understandings reached in Anchorage — Lavrov

The Russian top diplomat emphasized that the realities on the ground in the Ukrainian conflict were "not a territorial issue"

Iran’s intelligence aware of where Netanyahu holds his meetings — IRGC

Iran’s intelligence knows all the targets around the Islamic Republic, as well as Israeli and American targets, senior adviser to the commander-in-chief of the Iranian army Rahim Safavi said

Iran hits US bases in Kuwait, UAE, Bahrain — IRGC

The US base Arifjan in Kuwait was struck with 12 drones

US missile defense systems fail to secure airspace from Iranian strikes — expert

Alexander Stepanov noted that the destruction of any system or a strike on a high-tech facility would entail the loss of personnel operating them, in this case, US military personnel

Iran not developing nuclear weapons, US must stop strikes—- Chinese diplomat

Mao Ning also recalled that the US and Israel attacked Iran during the negotiations, thus violating international law and causing tensions in the Middle East to escalate

US Embassy in Riyadh ablaze following explosion — Reuters

The news agency did not report on the consequences of the incident

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

Drone strikes bridge linking Bahrain and Saudi Arabia

The United States could have used this transportation link to evacuate its military personnel, the news agency said

US marines fire at protesters storming consulate in Karachi — Reuters

According to the news agency, the officials’ comments were the first confirmation from the US side that marines were involved in the shooting at protesters

Readiness to confront Iran, settlement proposals: global reaction

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian called on the international community to condemn the US and Israeli strike on hospitals and schools in Iran

Russia to continue coordination with Iran, China within IAEA, if need be — diplomat

Mikhail Ulyanov pointed out that a special meeting had been held on Monday

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

US strikes call in question its ability to negotiate on Iranian nuclear dossier — diplomat

According to Mikhail Ulyanov, there was no reason for a military action

Mossad conducts overnight ground operation in Iran — Al Arabiya

According to the TV channel, the operation was carried out by Mossad operatives with the support of special forces

Putin tells Bahrain's king ready to help stabilize Middle East situation — Kremlin

The current development of events "also threatens the security of many Arab states, with which Russia maintains friendly relations," according to the Russian side

Iran launches another round of ballistic missiles against Israel — TV

Most of the projectiles were launched in the direction of the southern parts of Israel and Tel Aviv

US used new missile in Iran first time — TWZ

The Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) is capable of striking targets at distances exceeding 500 kilometers

Britain, France and Germany to develop long-range missiles — Macron

The French president stressed that as partnerships strengthen, other projects aimed at supporting European sovereignty could appear

Japanese PM Takaichi abstains from legal assessment of military strikes against Iran

Sanae Takaichi noted that she would "openly talk about the Iranian problem" with US President Donald Trump during her visit to the United States later this month

Israel hits dozens of Iranian security headquarters in Tehran

In addition, the Israeli Air Force continued striking surface-to-surface missile launchers, sites used for the production of weapons for Iranian forces, and other IRGC Air Force sites

Chukavin rifle accepted into service by Russian Interior Ministry — Kalashnikov Group

"The SVCh is designed to engage enemy personnel, equipment, and unarmored vehicles at ranges of up to 1,000 meters," the company stated

Damage to nuclear power plants in Iran, UAE to cause disaster — nuclear scientist

Damage to the Bushehr nuclear power plant in Iran and the Barakah nuclear power plant in the UAE during hostilities could have catastrophic consequences, including radiation contamination of the Persian Gulf, Alexander Uvarov, a nuclear industry expert and director of the AtomInfo-Center, said

US has unlimited reserves of weapons, can wage war forever — president

Donald Trump also again accused former US leader Joe Biden of giving away weapons to Ukraine for free

Trump gambles his presidency be starting military operation against Iran — newspaper

The correspondent emphasized that the US leader had repeatedly violated his promise to voters to "end, not start, wars," having sanctioned seven military conflicts in different parts of the world since taking office

US Department of State urges American nationals to leave Middle East countries

Among the countries in the Middle East listed by the US state official are Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, the Gaza Strip, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen

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

Israel carries out over 1,000 combat sorties over Iran — army

The military accompanied this information with a video clip showing how an Israeli fighter is dodging an Iranian missile in the sky over Tehran

US not to limit itself to desire to rule Venezuela, Cuba and Iran — Lavrov

The minister believes that what is happening in the world now is "a reflection of profound changes and underlying problems in world politics and the global economy

US ground operation in Iran impossible due to its vast territory size — expert

Retired Colonel Viktor Litovkin pointed out that the US has not concentrated significant ground forces in the Middle East

United States to cut off trade with Spain — Trump

The US president recalled that Spain had been the only NATO country to refuse to increase defense expenditures to 5% of the GDP

Kaliningrad is one of Russia’s most vulnerable regions — Dzhabarov

Since 2022, NATO and EU countries have been pursuing a consistent policy of complicating the situation in the region and creating conditions for its blockade from the rest of Russia, Vladimir Dzhabarov said

Bank of Russia challenges regulation that blocks transfer of assets before EU court

The EU regulation violates the basic and inalienable rights to access justice, inviolability of property, and the principle of sovereign immunity of states and their central banks, guaranteed by international treaties and European Union law

Six US troops killed during operation in Middle East — US Central Command

US forces recently recovered the remains of two previously unaccounted for service members from a facility that was struck during Iran's initial attacks in the region

Conflict with Iran could lead to ceasefire in Ukraine on Russia’s conditions — Bloomberg

The deployment of US naval forces in the region makes the transfer of Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine less likely

UAE leader’s walk at Dubai Mall is 'powerful message' — Russian presidential envoy

Kirill Dmitriev noted that the resilient UAE is one of the few truly neutral places in the world

Mossad’s ground operation and US military plans: Middle East conflict

US President Donald Trump has claimed that it is "too late" to negotiate with Iran

Orban calls on von der Leyen to pressure Zelensky to restore oil transit from Russia

The Hungarian PM said that he had sent a letter to Brussels

Managed escalation is most likely scenario for conflict over Iran — expert

According to Nikolay Gaponenko, the second crisis scenario is an uncontrolled escalation

US outlines several stages of military operation against Iran — NBC News

According to the report, the United States has not yet attacked Iran’s nuclear facilities, which may become the next target

Israel attacked Saudi Aramco’s refinery in false flag operation — news agency

According to the agency's source, the port of Fujairah in the UAE is one of the next targets of Israelis

Trump carries out most military strikes among latest US presidents — Axios

According to the media outlet, Donald Trump ordered more airstrikes in 2025 than Joe Biden during his entire term

Russian troops liberate two communities in Ukraine operation over past day — top brass

According to the latest figures, the Ukrainian army lost roughly 1,290 troops in battles with Russian forces in all the frontline areas over the past 24 hours

Indian Defense Ministry to purchase five more Russia’s S-400 squadrons — ANI

According to the news agency, the squadrons will be deployed on both the eastern and western fronts

US offered Iran free nuclear fuel for 10-year uranium enrichment halt — Witkoff

The US special presidential envoy said that Tehran rejected Washington's offer

US realized by second meeting with Iranian negotiators that there to be no deal — Witkoff

The US special presidential envoy said that a third meeting did take place

US seeks to draw Middle Eastern countries into direct conflict with Iran — source

The source said that the strike on the Hyatt Regency hotel in Riyadh was a US provocation

Middle East commodities’ crisis to temporarily up Russia’s revenues — US analyst

"Oil and natural gas producers are winners," John Kavulich said

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

Washington will finish it, Pete Hegseth said

Massive demonstrations against strikes on Iran erupt in dozens of US cities — TV

Demonstrators said they are ready to "keep protesting for as long as it takes"

Ukrainian attacks affect 131 Russians, including 22 dead over past week — diplomat

According to Rodion Miroshnik, the most civilian casualties were reported in the Belgorod, Kherson and Zaporozhye regions

Settling political scores and plans to destroy Iran: Russian diplomat’s statements

Russia "strongly and categorically condemns" the United States and Israel’s aggression against Iran, Russian Permanent Representative to the Vienna-based international organizations Mikhail Ulyanov said

US leader wraps up 47-year war between US, Iran — envoy to UN

The Carter administration saw a deterioration in relations with Iran

Over 1,000 diamonds used in main crown of BRICS beauty pageant

The crown is made of gold and weighs more than 850 grams

Aggression against Iran may force Tehran to create nuclear weapons — Lavrov

The minister emphasized that "the seemingly paradoxical noble goal of starting a war to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons may stimulate the exact opposite"

Press review: Iran derails US‑Israeli plans while Middle East conflict boosts oil and gold

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, March 2nd

Iran's underground depots remain invulnerable to Israeli, US weapons — expert

Alexander Stepanov noted that Iran’s storage facilities were located in rock formations that were not inferior to fortified military infrastructure

Aggression against Iran and US plans for other countries: Lavrov’ statements

According to the top Russian diplomat, Moscow will use all of its capabilities, including in its relations with Tehran, to ensure that the problem in the Middle East "does not escalate further and is resolved"

US and Israel's interceptor stocks may run out as early as next week — CNN

Earlier, the United States said it has sufficient ammunition stocks to continue strikes against Iran with Israel

Kiev troops bombard Donetsk People’s Republic five times over past day

There were no reports on casualties among civilians

Russia offered Iran air defense projects, Tehran showed little interest — Putin

The countries' strategic partnership agreement does not contain any articles related to defense, Russian President said

Kiev’s losses amount to 119,500 soldiers, mercenaries this winter — expert

According to Andrey Marochko, Kiev lost around 16,300 drones and 1,400 tanks and other armored vehicles in combat operations between December and February

New strikes, casualties on both sides: Middle East conflict

Iran used missiles and drones for new attacks on US military bases in the Middle East, Fars said

Nazified, militarized Ukraine unacceptable for Russia — Lavrov

This contradicts the goals of the special military operation, the Russian foreign minister pointed out

Iran Revolutionary Guard Corps retains capabilities after Khamenei assassination — expert

Nikolay Gaponenko believes that Iran's retaliatory actions demonstrate its readiness and ability to resist even after its decision-making center was destroyed

More than 600 Russians remain at Bushehr nuclear plant — Rosatom CEO

The buses are ready and evacuation routes were considered, Alexey Likhachev said

Putin making every effort to contribute to detente in Middle East — Kremlin

The day before, the Russian president spoke over the phone with his colleagues from Bahrain, Qatar, the UAE and Saudi Arabia

Israel says 'struck and dismantled' headquarters of Iranian state broadcaster

The Iranian broadcaster reported earlier in the day that Israel and the United States delivered two strikes on buildings located on the territory of the headquarters of the Iranian Broadcasting Authority in Tehran

Double standards undermine UNSC credibility — Iranian diplomat

Iranian Permanent Representative to the United Nations Amir Saeid Iravani once again reiterated his country’s position that Iran doesn’t seek a war of an escalation of the conflict but "will not surrender its sovereignty"

‘Black swan’ events that could change situation may emerge in the Middle East — expert

According to Anna Fedyunina, these include the direct involvement of new states in the conflict, as well as attacks on oil and gas infrastructure in Persian Gulf countries

Iran attacks with drones, ballistic missiles US airbase in Bahrain — TV

According to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the command and staff building of the airbase was destroyed, fuel tanks were burned

FACTBOX: Strait of Hormuz tensions, ground operation plans in Middle East conflict

Iranian Brigadier General Ebrahim Jabbari emphasized that Tehran would not allow "a single drop of oil to leave the region"

Strait of Hormuz closure to cause major upheaval in fertilizer market — Dmitriev

The head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund stressed that possible disruptions to shipping in the strait’s waters could have significant consequences for commodity markets and put pressure on the global agricultural sector

Trump to continue operation in Iran until four clear objectives achieved — CBS News

Earlier, the US president said the American-Israeli operation against the Islamic Republic could last four to five weeks

Lavrov and Saudi counterpart note risk of third countries' involvement in Iran war

The foreign ministers exchanged views on the situation around Iran, which has developed as a result of aggression of the United States and Israel against the Islamic republic, the statement says

FACTBOX: What we know about earthquake near Russia’s Black Sea resort of Sochi

The epicenter of the tremors was located 21 km offshore from the city of Sochi

No signs that US intend to strike Bushehr NPP — Russian diplomat

Russian Permanent Representative to the Vienna-based international organizations Mikhail Ulyanov stressed that a strike on an operating nuclear plant would be a disaster

US may soon attack Cuba, but with little chances of success — expert

Washington views Cuba as a zone of exclusively American interests, and this 'island of freedom' clearly doesn’t align with Washington’s vision of an autonomous actor, Farhad Ibragimov noted

Gas in Europe at $700, growth of Russian stocks: impact of blocking Strait of Hormuz

The gas price growth since the beginning of the day has exceeded 30%

A strike on Bushehr NPP would cause a regional-scale disaster — Rosatom CEO

According to Alexey Likhachev, the company lost contact with the leadership of Iran's entire nuclear industry

Iran reiterates its inalienable right to enrich uranium during talks with US — Witkoff

The US special presidential envoy said that Washington has the right to stop Tehran

Global nuclear threat is growing — Lavrov

The Russian foreign minister responded to a question about the seriousness of the threat to global nuclear security today in connection with the conflict in the Middle East

Iran hits strategic water reservoirs, energy facility in Qatar

According to Majed Mohammed Al-Ansari, the strikes targeted "an integrated industrial compound consisting of production and service facilities" in Ras Laffan and "a vital facility and water reservoirs" in Mesaieed