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US-Israeli strikes on Iran

Iran only targeting US, Israeli targets, top diplomat tells his Turkish counterpart

Abbas Araghchi says the attacks are directed at targets used for "aggressive operations against Iran"

DOHA, March 5. /TASS/. Iran's retaliatory strikes are defensive in nature and are directed exclusively against US and Israeli facilities used to attack the country, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in a telephone conversation with his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan.

"Aragchi noted that Iran's defensive response against American-Zionist aggressors is directed at bases and targets used to plan and carry out aggressive operations against Iran, and this is fully in line with international law," the Iranian Foreign Ministry said in a press release.

Earlier, the Turkish Defense Ministry reported that NATO air defenses in the Eastern Mediterranean had destroyed a ballistic missile launched from Iran. It was heading towards Turkish airspace after passing through the airspace of Iraq and Syria. There were no casualties.

US-Israeli strikes on Iran

Kurdistan Democratic Party denies reports of offensive in Iran — TV channel

The party says that the region "will not be a party to the conflict in this war"

Oil price possibly reaching $200, declining stocks: situation in economy

The price of futures contracts of Brent crude oil has exceeded $85 per barrel for the first time since mid-2024

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

Kiev launched nearly 30 strike UAVs on Crimea during truce, all of them downed — expert

The number of UAVs launched by the Ukrainian military against Crimea alone during the Easter truce is evidence that Kiev will "continue reinforcing its UAV grouping as it considers it to be the most promising," Vitaly Kiselyov said

China expresses resolute protest to Britain over ‘anti-China manipulation’

Earlier, Scotland Yard reported that counter-terrorism officers had detained three men on suspicion of working for Chinese intelligence

Russia rejects West’s attempt to deny its plans to provide Ukraine with nukes — diplomat

According to Maria Zakharova, London and Paris "have the capability, incentive and means to commit the indicated international law crime"

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

Journalist Lucidi participates in informal meeting of UN Security Council on Ukraine

Another rapporteur is Norwegian political scientist Glenn Diesen, who was unable to attend the meeting in person because his flight was mysteriously cancelled

Russian stocks move to negative territory during main trading session

The yuan exchange rate was also down at 11,251 rubles

Indiscriminate use of military force in Middle East unacceptable — Chinese MFA

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi expressed China's appreciation for Saudi Arabia's restraint and its ongoing commitment to peaceful conflict resolution

Russian forces destroy 20 pieces of Ukrainian equipment on right bank of Dnieper over week

"Over the past week, [the Russian] artillery and attack drones destroyed and put out of action about 20 units of various military equipment and a large number of Ukrainian personnel stationed on the right bank of the Dnieper River," the ministry said

Qatar to need at least one month to return to previous LNG production volumes — Reuters

According to sources, the facility in Ras Laffan will need at least two weeks to restart production

Russia to work with reliable counterparties in energy supplies

Russia has always been and remains a reliable supplier of energy resources, President said

Impact on GDP and $779 mln in one day - what we know about cost of Iran attack for US

According to Anadolu, the largest expense during the first day was the launch of Tomahawk missiles

Russia, Belarus to hold joint Air Force and air defense drills on March 16-18

The joint exercise will practice the issues of "planning the employment of the Air Force and air defense troops in a defensive operation of the regional grouping of forces and also the joint use of the Air Force and air defense troops of the Republic of Belarus and Russia’s Aerospace Force

Pentagon confident Iran can no longer carry out mass missile launches

Iran's theater ballistic missile shots fired down 86% from the first day of fighting, US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth stated

Maersk suspends cargo booking to certain Middle East countries

Exceptions will be made for critical foodstuff, medicine and other essential goods, the Denmark-based shipping company said

FACTBOX: What is known about tankers’ situation after closure of the Strait of Hormuz

Ten oil tankers attempting to pass the strait have already been struck by missiles and drones

Azov battalion militants blow up Mariupol theater building — Defense Ministry

Previously, refugees that escaped Mariupol, informed that Nazis from the Azov battalion could have held civilians hostage in the theater building, the ministry specified

US-Israel attacks wound 300 minors in Iran — government

The youngest victim of the brutal Zionist-American attacks on Iran is a one-year-old child

Hungary does not want to be involved in conflict, energy war — Szijjarto

The minister emphasized that energy security is the most important for Hungary in current difficult conflict times

Iran confirms damage to nuclear sites after US strikes

Iranian Vice President and Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran Mohammad Eslami noted that Tehran has the ability to repair the damage thanks to accumulated experience

Putin to instruct Cabinet to consider refocusing to more beneficial gas markets

I will certainly instruct the government to explore this matter together with our companies, Russian President said

Russian missile cruiser makes call at port of Algiers in long-distance deployment

The visit will last several days

Pentagon admits unable to intercept all Iranian drones — CNN

According to the report, during a closed-door briefing, US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine acknowledged that drones pose a much bigger problem than previously thought

Iran’s top security official puts US death toll from retaliatory Iranian strikes at 500

Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani emphasized that the martyrdom of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei would exact a heavy price from the enemy

Top Russian diplomat arrives in New York for UN General Assembly

Sergey Lavrov will take part in several bilateral and multilateral high-level meetings

Putin holds Kremlin meeting with Hungary’s top diplomat

Peter Szijjarto has already met with Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov

Yemeni Houthis ready for military action against Israel in defense of Iran — Russian MFA

Maria Zakharova underscored the clear risk of the conflict spreading further, warning that "the ongoing US and Israeli aggression against Iran could trigger a broader armed confrontation across the Middle East"

US could slow PAC-3 missile supplies to Ukraine due to Mideast conflict — BZ

The publication notes that while the world’s eyes are on Iran, Israel and the Persian Gulf countries in recent days

US destroys over 20 Iranian vessels — Pentagon

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine reported that Iran's major naval presence in the theater was neutralized

Zelensky uses lives of Ukrainians as bargaining chip with Western countries — lawmaker

Alexander Dubinsky called Vladimir Zelensky "the greatest perpetrator of genocide against his own people"

Potential successor to Khamenei, situation at US bases: Middle East conflict

Iran damaged communications and radar equipment on at least seven US military facilities in the Middle East during the first three days of hostilities

Ukrainian attack against Russian gas carrier is terrorist act — Putin

It is not the first time already when we face things of such kind, Russian President said

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

Iranian forces claim responsibility for attack on Ben Gurion Airport — press release

The IRGC also reported having hit the Israeli Defense Ministry building

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"

Russian gas carrier attacked in Mediterranean Sea by Ukrainian unmanned boats

All 30 crew members were rescued

UN committee points out numerous human rights issues in US – Russian Foreign Ministry

The Russian Foreign Ministry noted that the Human Rights Committee has once again “debunked the myth of the infallible reputation” of the United States

FACTBOX: What we know about attack on Russian gas carrier in Mediterranean Sea

The Transport Ministry described the attack as an act of international terrorism and maritime piracy

Iran denies information about alleged readiness to discuss ceasefire

The official stressed that Iran would "continue without hesitation" to respond to strikes by the Israeli and US armed forces

Russian authorities daily step up country’s positions in spite of West’s pressure — Lavrov

According to Russian Foreign Minister, "all the countries that experience the negative effect of the selfish policy carried out by the United States and its satellites have an objective need to reconfigure their economic relations"

Two sailors injured in attack on Russian gas tanker — transport ministry

They were taken off the ship by a lifeboat and taken to a hospital in Benghazi

RZB chief dismisses reports about withdrawal from Eastern Europe

The company sees the markets of Russia, Poland, Slovakia and the Czech Republic as the most promising

Nearly all neo-Nazis’ defenses around Mariupol eliminated, Russian military reports

The successful operation to unblock the city has allowed for opening humanitarian corridors starting from 15:00 and beginning the mass evacuation of civilians who have for a long time been kept hostage by the neo-Nazis

Belarus, Kazakhstan, Russia to ratify EaEU treaty this autumn

Lavrov, Prime Minister of Sudan discuss military-political crisis in republic

The Russian side emphasized the need for a swift end to the armed conflict and the launch of the post-conflict reconstruction process

Number of Russian tourists visiting Georgia grows by 50%

Cargo ship hit by missiles near Strait of Hormuz — news agency

The cargo crew comprising 24 people was evacuated

Zelensky sees no signals from US for new round of negotiations on Ukraine

On Monday, Zelensky said the new round of talks between Russia, the US, and Ukraine scheduled for March 5-6 has not yet been canceled

Idlib settlement can be achieved on southern de-escalation zone pattern — diplomat

The situation in Idlib is very difficult, it has the biggest concentration of militants and terrorists, Russian Ambassador in Damascus Alexander Kinshchak said

Casualties from Iranian attacks on UAE up to 78 — Defense Ministry

No Russians were hurt

Russia can leave EU gas market earlier — Putin

Other markets now open, President said

Iran only targeting US, Israeli targets, top diplomat tells his Turkish counterpart

Abbas Araghchi says the attacks are directed at targets used for "aggressive operations against Iran"

Inflation situation developing better than projected — Putin

"This has already allowed starting a cautious easing of the monetary policy," the Russian president said

Iran;s cabinet developed plan for wartime governance in advance — agency

According to the publication, the plan was personally approved by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, who granted all departments the necessary powers for the new realities

Three people injured in Ukrainian drone attack on Saratov Region — governor

Roman Busargin says several civilian facilities were damaged

US does not currently plan to send troops to Iran, but does not rule it out — White House

They're not part of the plan for this operation at this time, White House Spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said

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

Chaos in Middle East, nuclear arms race provocation: Russian MFA’s statements

Maria Zakharova emphasized that the crisis in the Middle East "has no military solution"

Iran can wage war with drones almost indefinitely — expert

Dmitry Kuzyakin believes that today only Russia, Ukraine, and Iran have mastered the art of warfare under the new rules

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

Middle Eastern countries express interest in Kalashnikov drones

The Legioner (Legionnaire), a modern vertical takeoff and landing UAV, attracted the most interest from potential Middle Eastern customers, the company said

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

Russian stock indices in the red on Wednesday — market data

The yuan added ten kopecks to reach 11.27 rubles

Hungary eyes Druzhba pipeline blocking by Kiev political — Szijjarto

The Hungarian top diplomat emphasized that Budapest was interested in gas and hydrocarbons supplies to continue reliably and stably as before

Gazprom plans investing 100 billion rubles in Kyrgyzstan gas projects - Putin

Russia’s President pointed to the growing cooperation between Russia and Kyrgyzstan in other spheres

Iran permitted two ships of friendly countries to pass through Strait of Hormuz

Iran hit more than ten ships, including tankers, in the Strait of Hormuz since the moment when the US and Israel attacked it on February 28

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

Russia ready to boost oil supplies to China, India — Novak

Russian oil is in demand, the deputy prime minister noted

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

Bahraini aluminum producer goes to force majeure — Reuters

The Alba plant in Bahrain is one of the largest aluminum producers

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

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

Russian Parliament to vote on online fake news bill

Under the bill violations of the ban will be interpreted as administrative offenses punishable with fines under the Code of Administrative Offenses

Russian MFA comments on possible 'nuclear collaboration' between European countries'

Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova emphasized that the attitudes of the countries bordering the region and beyond are important

Over 250 flights canceled between Russia, Middle East — Economy Minister

The airspace of ten countries in the Middle East is being closed since February 28

Air defenses destroy 34 Ukrainian UAVs over Russian regions within four-hour period

In particular, 21 UAVs were intercepted over the Black Sea

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 raises topic of oil supplies to Hungary at meeting with Szijjarto

Not everything depends on Russia on this matter but Russia has always been the reliable supplier, the president stressed

Slovakia approves termination of electricity supplies agreement with Ukraine

The Slovak Finance Minister is recommended to take steps in respect of SEPS company for immediate termination of the agreement between SEPS and Ukrenergo

Wildfires in Siberia destroy 65 buildings, including 33 residential houses

To combat the emergency, additional rescue teams from Tuva and Kuzbass have been deployed to Khakassia

Iran’s foreign policy to continue relying on Khamenei’s legacy — envoy to Russia

Kazem Jalali called Iran's Supreme Leader a great architect

Airlines carry almost 6,000 passengers from Middle East to Russia on March 2, 3

The plan is to bring another 7,100 people on 34 flights on March 4

US submarine sinks Iranian warship off Sri Lanka’s coast — Reuters

According to the agency, 79 people were rescued, while more than 100 sailors remain missing

UK medical contingents in Ukraine to be considered targets by Russian forces — diplomat

On February 24, Daily Express reported information about the presence of military medical specialists, including surgeons, physiotherapists, and nurses from the United Kingdom in Ukraine

Gas prices in Europe spiked due to more solvent customers — Putin

The main suppliers of gas did not reduce their volumes, the president noted

No topic off-limits for Modi’s upcoming talks with Putin — Kremlin

As Dmitry Peskov noted, Moscow and New Delhi have "mutual political will" to develop cooperation in a variety of areas

Islamic Resistance in Iraq carried out 27 operations against US military bases on March 3

Militants of the Islamic Resistance in Iraq used dozens of drones and missiles against enemy bases in Iraq and the region

Power supply restored in central Iraq — energy company

The supply was discontinued several hours ago due to a lack of gas shipments to a power plant in the southern governorate of Basra

Iran tried to avoid war with US, Israel through diplomacy — president

Masoud Pezeshkian stressed that US-Israeli aggression left Iran no choice but to defend itself

Russian special services have data about Kiev plotting to sabotage gas pipelines — Putin

Moscow has shared this information with Ankara, the Russian leader stated

Press review: Iran missile risks may expand conflict and US eyes regime change in Cuba

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, March 4th

US has no problems with Russia and China stemming from Iran war, says Pentagon chief

According to Pete Hegseth, he has no message for Russia and China on this issue

IN BRIEF: On situation around Druzhba oil pipeline

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico stated that the EC is pressuring Ukraine to resume supplies

At least 78 injured in strike on Iranian frigate off Sri Lanka — Reuters

According to the agency, another 101 people are believed to be missing

Central part of Israel shelled twice in half hour

The Israeli army said the missiles from Lebanon had been intercepted

Iran strikes IDF General Staff building three times — advisor to IRGC commander

An attack was also made on one of the offices of Prime Minister of the Jewish state, Benjamin Netanyahu

Refusal to negotiate, readiness for endless war — statements from Iranian representatives

Iran’s ambassador to Uzbekistan Mohammad Ali Eskandari opined that Turkey and Qatar would be the next victims of Israel and the US after Iran

Russian troops strike Ukrainian long-range UAV launch sites over past day

The Ukrainian army lost roughly 1,150 troops in battles with Russian forces in all the frontline areas over the past 24 hours

Russia to take EU militarization into account in upgrading all types of weapons — diplomat

According to Maria Zakharova, the EU is currently undergoing a transformation into "an aggressive, intractable, conflict-minded, impoverished, and self-defeating international player"