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US-Israeli strikes on Iran

CIA preparations for operation against Iran's leadership began in June 2025 — portal

US intelligence officials devoted colossal resources to tracking Ali Khamenei's movements using human and technical intelligence to provide the White House with options for further action

MOSCOW, March 5. /TASS/. US preparations for an operation to assassinate Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei began after the strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities in June 2025, the French portal Intelligence Online reported.

According to the publication, following Operation Midnight Hammer, during which American B-2 stealth bombers attacked Iranian facilities, the CIA and other US intelligence agencies significantly expanded their intelligence coverage of the region. Initially, their main task was to assess the damage caused.

The portal notes that tensions arose between the US agencies at the initial stage. Leaks from the US Defense Intelligence Agency and its Underground Facility Analysis Center contradicted President Donald Trump's public statements about completely destroying the Iranian nuclear program.

Subsequently, US intelligence officials devoted colossal resources to tracking Ali Khamenei's movements using human and technical intelligence to provide the White House with options for further action. This work was conducted in close coordination with Israeli intelligence agencies and despite the Iranian government's crackdown on foreign intelligence networks. These months-long efforts culminated in the raid on the residence of the Iranian Supreme Leader on February 28.

Furthermore, several days before the assassination, the CIA launched an intensive psychological warfare campaign. The agency published a special video in Farsi on the social media site X, offering potential Iranian rebels instructions on how to establish safe contact with US intelligence.

US-Israeli strikes on Iran

US offers military support to Kurds in operation against Iran — WP

Washington wants the Kurds to take control of portions of western Iran, the newspaper noted

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

US presidential advisers urge declaring victory over Iran as soon as possible — CNN

The officials fear that the US will be drawn into a protracted war

Press review: US could use Kurds against Iran as NATO unwilling to drop expansion plans

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, March 5th

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

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

Iraqi authorities won’t allow to drag country into war — prime minister

Mohammed al-Sudani says the government will not tolerate destabilization in the country

Putin to hold talks with president of Central African Republic

The officials plan to discuss the cooperation in politics, trade, economy, and humanitarian affairs

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"

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

NATO must turn its focus northward, Canada’s top diplomat says

According to Anita Anand, "there is global competition in the Arctic"

Central part of Israel shelled twice in half hour

The Israeli army said the missiles from Lebanon had been intercepted

Iran depleting missile stocks of US, its allies with cheap drones — newspaper

According to a report cited by The New York Times, it will take years for factories to produce enough interceptor missiles

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

War in Iran should not cause fluctuations in fuel prices in Russia — Kremlin

The government and the Federal Antimonopoly Service are monitoring the situation with fuel prices in the country, Dmitry Peskov noted

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

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 can leave EU gas market earlier — Putin

Other markets now open, President said

Russia sees no reason to suspect Ukraine talks with US may be cover-up — Lavrov

"We see no such reason because we are maintaining direct contact with American colleagues," the Russian top diplomat stated

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

The IRGC also reported having hit the Israeli Defense Ministry building

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

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

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

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

Iran hits US oil tanker in northern Persian Gulf — IRGC

The Strait of Hormuz is under Iran’s control and any vessels affiliated with the United States or Israel will be banned from passing through it, the IRGC warned

Paris to use Cold War uranium, plutonium reserves for new warheads — top defense official

Defense Minister Catherine Vautrin says that the expansion of nuclear arsenal is included in the budget

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

Ukraine refuses to provide EU inspectors access to Druzhba pipeline — Politico

Ukraine’s government insists it needs time to assess the scale of damage to the oil pipeline

NATO not to become involved in conflict over Iran this time — expert

Vladimir Sazhin noted that support from Great Britain was quite likely

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

China to carry out resolute strikes against separatists in Taiwan — report

According to the report, the People's Republic of China will promote peaceful development across the Taiwan Strait

IN BRIEF: On situation around Druzhba oil pipeline

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

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

Russia to work with reliable counterparties in energy supplies

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

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

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’s armed forces deny closing Strait of Hormuz

Iran continues to cooperate with vessels passing through it in accordance with international protocols, Kioumars Heydari, the deputy commander of the Khatam-al Anbiya Central Headquarters of the armed forces of the Islamic Republic, said

Russian Battlegroup East’s T-80BVM tank withstands 18 hits from Ukrainian drones

The tank commander with the battlegroup, call sign "Aza," added that the tank completed its assigned missions

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

Russian oil is in demand, the deputy prime minister noted

Europe facing new energy crisis over events in Middle East — FT

According to the newspaper, fiercer competition for LNG supplies comes as a particularly cold winter has depleted gas stocks in Europe

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

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

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

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"

Ukraine’s army attacks Russia’s Belgorod Region with nearly 170 UAVs over past day

Ukraine’s military also attacked Russia’s borderline Belgorod Region with over 20 munitions in the past 24 hours

GFCN experts dismiss petition signed by Iranian scholars to reject Constitution as fake

The analysts revealed that signatures had been gathered using a basic Google form that allows any internet user to enter their name and list an affiliation with any organization

Israel hits ballistic missile storage sites in Tehran

The IDF also struck several launch sites of long-range ballistic missiles

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

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

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

The cargo crew comprising 24 people was evacuated

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

Iranian forces launch missile strike on anti-Iranian groups in Iraqi Kurdistan — statement

The IRGC fulfilled three missile strikes

Russia receives no requests for assistance, weapons supplies from Iran — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov noted that Russia's consistent position is well-known to everyone

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

Israeli PM suspects White House of conducting separate talks with Tehran — TV

According to the sources cited by Channel 12, Benjamin Netanyahu asked the White House for clarification on this matter

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

Over 1,300 attacks on 174 cities recorded in Iran — Red Crescent Society

According to the report, 1,332 attacks have been recorded since the start of the war

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

North Korea to build two destroyers per year, equip Navy with nuke weapons — Kim Jong-un

The country's leader also noted that the Choe Choe Hyon’s trials are proceeding successfully

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

Iran strikes Israel’s Ben Gurion airport, airbase — IRGC

The Khorramshahr 4 heavy missiles of the IRGC Aerospace Force, with a 1-ton warhead, were launched at dawn today

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

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

US wants Ukraine's drone interceptors due to shortage of Patriot missiles — FT

According to the newspaper, Gulf countries are using expensive Patriot missiles to shoot down Iranian drones

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

US Senate rejects prohibiting use of force against Iran without congressional approval

During the procedural vote, 47 supported and 52 opposed the resolution

US to regret sinking Iranian frigate in international waters — top diplomat

There were about 130 sailors about the sunken frigate, Abbas Araghchi added

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

Russian gas carrier attacked in Mediterranean Sea by Ukrainian unmanned boats

All 30 crew members were rescued

Canada may harm its own security as it attempts to bring NATO to Arctic — Russian diplomat

"Russia is a self-sufficient Arctic state and possesses in the northern latitudes the full range of capabilities necessary to respond to any challenges, regardless of where they may originate," Oleg Stepanov noted

Russia urges joint efforts to stop conflict around Iran, calls for UN SC resolution

A conversation about the principles of the world order is overdue, and the United Nations could consider initiating such a discussion, the minister noted

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

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"

Eighty-seven bodies recovered from Iranian ship sunk off Sri Lankan coast

According to the Iranian authorities, there were about 130 sailors aboard the ship

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"

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

No Russians were hurt

Israel takes Russia’s concerns about Iran’s Bushehr nuke plant into account — envoy

"Israel's target is only one, and that is the Iranian regime’s apparatus," Israeli Ambassador to Moscow Oded Joseph said

Russian stock indices in the red on Wednesday — market data

The yuan added ten kopecks to reach 11.27 rubles

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

Hezbollah launches dozens of missiles on Israeli settlements in Upper Galilee

Shia units repelled an Israeli attempt to penetrate in southern Lebanon near Ad-Duhairah and inflicted losses on enemy troops and equipment

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

Bahraini aluminum producer goes to force majeure — Reuters

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

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

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

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

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

Roman Busargin says several civilian facilities were damaged

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

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

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

Injured people in Saratov Region, 76 Ukrainian UAVs attacking Russian regions overnight

Three people were injured in a Ukrainian UAV attack on the southern Saratov Region

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

Russian oil supplies to India may return to 1.5 mbd due to Middle East crisis

Analyst Sergey Kaufman noted that in the event of a protracted conflict in the Middle East, the US could be interested in allowing more Russian oil into India and overall on the global market to avoid excessively raising prices

Russian troops fighting for Popasnoye near Konstantinovka in DPR — expert

South of Verolyubovka, the Russian forces managed to dislodge Ukrainian troops from their positions, Andrey Marochko said

Kurds preparing for an offensive against Iran with support from Mossad, CIA — Axios

According to the report, those militias "have thousands of soldiers" along the border between Iraq and Iran

Dmitriev points to inevitability of oil price above $100 per barrel

Price for actual delivered oil in Asia already exceeds $90 a barrel for most types, Chief Executive Officer of Russian Direct Investment Fund Kirill Dmitriev noted

Iran to continue destroying enemy bases within reach of its forces — diplomat

Iranian Ambassador to Belarus Alireza Sanei stressed that "the people and the Armed Forces of Iran are resolute to continue war until the victory"

Backbone of Ukrainian forces is made up of mobilized troops — expert

According to Sergey Khairudinov, the most motivated units are assigned to the most critical and difficult areas, as well as breakthroughs

Saudi Arabia has two weeks to avoid cutting oil output — FT

According to the publication, major producing countries in the Gulf must resume exports before their oil storage facilities are full

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

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

Chinese Army to focus on maintaining global strategic balance — document

The document also envisages strengthening strategic capabilities in the protection of national sovereignty, security and development interests "amid absolute party control over the Army"

Air strikes carried out against pro-Iranian groups in Iraq — special services

There is no information about casualties among the fighters

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"

Iran may respond to US asymmetrically in months — political scientist

Farhad Ibragimov noted that any casualties resulting from a future escalation would likely be seen in the United States as a direct consequence of America's decision to initiate military action