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Middle East conflict

Netanyahu decided to kill Khamenei as early as November 2025 — Israeli Defense Ministry

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz previously said that the operation against Iran was planned for mid-2026

TEL AVIV, March 6. /TASS/. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made the decision to kill Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei as early as November 2025, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said.

"Already in November we were convened with the prime minister in a very tight forum and the prime minister (Benjamin Netanyahu) set the goal of eliminating Khamenei," Katz told Israel's N12 TV news, Reuters reported.

Katz previously said that the operation against Iran was planned for mid-2026.

On February 28, the US and Israel launched a military operation against Iran. The strikes targeted major Iranian cities, including Tehran. The White House justified the attack by citing missile and nuclear threats, it said, emanating from Tehran. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced a large-scale retaliatory operation, hitting targets inside Israel. US assets in Bahrain, Jordan, Qatar, Kuwait, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia also came under attack. Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and several other key figures in the Islamic Republic’s leadership were killed.

US-Israeli strikes on Iran

Russian military expert describes Iran's response to US aggression effective

Andrey Kartapolov noted that the US is hesitant to launch a ground operation and is striking civilian targets such as hospitals and schools

Azerbaijan prevents IRGC terrorist attacks — AzTV

According to the TV channel, one of the targets was the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline

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

Israel on its way to completing its mission — Netanyahu

The Prime Minister noted that Israel had "determination, initiative and ingenuity"

Fire erupts at US chemical warehouse after drone strike in southern Iraq — TV

The types of chemicals stored at the Halliburton facility were not specified

US representatives visited Ukraine to discuss ways to combat Iranian drones — newspaper

Politico cited an assessment that Iran's use of "cheap, easily produced drones has exposed a vulnerability for the US and its regional allies"

Russian air defenses down 124 Ukrainian drones overnight

29 of them were destroyed over the Bryansk Region, Russia’s Defense Ministry reported

Iran downs fourth US MQ-9 Reaper drone since start of escalation

The army's air defense systems destroyed one modern US MQ-9 drone in the skies over the province of Lorestan, the Islamic Republic’s army press service said

Azerbaijan accuses Iran of bringing in explosive devices — AzTV

"Three devices packed with C-4 explosives were transported to the territory of the country," it said

Israel, US prepare to reduce intensity of strikes on Iran — Kan

The US and Israeli militaries came to a conclusion "that strikes cannot continue for long at the unprecedentedly high pace"

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

French aircraft carrier arrives in Mediterranean amid conflict in Middle East — AFP

According to the agency, the ship will participate in "ensuring the safety of French citizens and its allies who have been attacked by Iran"

EC fails to back Hungary, Slovakia in dispute with Ukraine over Druzhba pipe — Szijjarto

The Hungarian foreign minister accused the EU of collusion with Croatia to prevent the two European nations from getting oil

Oil companies working to maintain balance on Russian fuel market — Cabinet

The meeting was attended by industry executives, representatives of the Energy Ministry, Economic Development Ministry, the Federal Antimonopoly Service, the Finance Ministry, the Industry and Trade Ministry and the Foreign Ministry

Russian companies to redirect LNG supplies in part to Asia-Pacific markets

According to Alexander Novak, Russian companies are considering opportunities, without waiting for the next restrictions from Europe, to make new long-term contracts with a number of Asian countries

Ukrainian strikes injured 10 emergency service workers, killed 2 in February

Four medics were also victims of Ukrainian attacks, with one fatality

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

FACTBOX: Kiev accuses Budapest of kidnapping people, stealing money

Ukraine's Oschadbank said that the seven cash collectors detained in Hungary were transporting $40 million, €35 million, and 9 kg of gold

Miroshnik calls Zelensky’s claims about damage to Druzhba pipeline false

Rodion Miroshnik also added that Kiev feels the support of European countries and therefore is not limiting its methods

Iran strikes US military base in UAE — army press service

It is the Al Dhafra air base

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

Chinese embassy warns US against disrupting energy cooperation between Beijing, Moscow

The normal economic, trade and energy cooperation between China and Russia does not target any third party, Liu Pengyu said

Press review: NATO unlikely to join Iran strikes as EU moves to sever Russia ties

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, March 6th

Israel dropped over 100 munitions on 'Khamenei bunker,' army assesses results

Brigadier General Effie Defrin detailed that approximately 50 Israeli Air Force aircraft participated in the operation

US unwilling to admit it does not rule world any more — Carlson

The journalist cited China as an example of a power that Washington needs to reckon with

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

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 maintains dialogue with Iranian leadership — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov did not specify whether there was military and technical cooperation underway between the countries at the moment

US, Israeli strikes dangerously close to civilian sites in Iran — TV

According to the TV channel, a 900-kilogram bomb struck the building of the Iranian state broadcaster IRIB in Tehran, with debris posing a lethal risk up to 300 meters away

Trump calls question about Russia allegedly sharing intelligence with Iran 'stupid'

Earlier, The Washington Post published an article suggesting that Russia was allegedly providing Iran with intelligence to help adjust its strikes

Washington examines several candidates for future governance of Iran — Trump

Donald Trump emphasized that the US "wants to go in and clean out everything" in Iran

War of depletion with uncertain timeframe: Experts, media on US attack against Iran

A recent drafting of additional military specialists points to the fact that the US administration was "not fully prepared for the consequences" of the conflict

Israeli air force strikes Hezbollah, IRGC headquarters in Beirut area — IDF

In particular, the army stated that it had struck the IRGC Air Force command center, the Hezbollah naval forces headquarters, the financial management center, and the operational council headquarters of the Shiite organization

US scrambles to find resources to continue its Iran war for at least 100 days — Politico

Gerald Feierstein, a former senior US diplomat, called the war "a completely ad hoc operation that nobody actually understood or believed that military action was imminent"

Dmitriev predicts start of era of total energy collapse in EU

"By refusing Russian energy, the EU has shot itself in the foot so many times that no feet are left," Chief Executive Officer of Russian Direct Investment Fund Kirill Dmitriev said

European stock markets in the red on Friday

FTSE 100, the key stock exchange index in the United Kingdom, landed at 10,284.75 points, down 1.24%

US increases purchase of nitrogen fertilizers from Russia by almost 90% to over $1 bln

Overall fertilizers, radioactive materials and isotopes, platinum and platinum group metals account for 86% of Russian supplies to the US

FACTBOX: Ukrainian troops at US bases, new phase of operation — latest on Iran

Before the attacks began, the US withdrew 90% of its military personnel from bases within range of Tehran's weapons, US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth stated

Russian, Iranian president agree to continue contacts via various channels — Kremlin

This is the first public announcement about contacts of such a level after the US-Israel attack on Iran

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

Battlegroup West units liberated the settlements of Drobyshevo, Yarovaya and Sosnovoye in the Donetsk People’s Republic

IN BRIEF: What is known about continuation of POW swaps between Russia, Ukraine

On March 6, 300 Russian servicemen were returned from territory controlled by the Kiev regime

US authorities refuse to compensate $150 bln to companies for tariffs paid — FT

The business is left in the state of uncertainty as a result and more and more cases go to court, the newspaper noted

Energy shock for EU will not be unnoticed — Dmitriev

This energy shock will expose the EU’s strategic energy failures in banning Russian oil and gas, the special envoy of the Russian President stated

US, Israel mistakenly hit Iraqi border post near Iran — news outlet

One soldier sustained minor shrapnel injuries

Explosions rock Tehran — news agency

No details were provided

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

Iran apparently destroys radar of US THAAD missile battery in Jordan — CNN

Furthermore, buildings housing similar radar systems were also hit in two other locations in the United Arab Emirates

US State Department approves sale of air bombs to Israel worth $151 million

The deal also includes engineering, logistics, and technical support services provided by US contractors

US soon to launch largest bombing of Iran — Treasury chief

Scott Bessent stressed that it will do the most damage to the Iranian missile launchers and the factories that build the missiles

President of Cyprus suggests British bases on island might be up for debate

Nikos Christodoulides stated that he was "not ruling anything out"

Paralympic flame lit at opening ceremony of 2026 Games

The 2026 Winter Paralympic Games will end on March 15

US Army plans to attack Iran’s previously untargeted areas — president

Donald Trump says that "Iran will be hit very hard" on March 7

UK Navy reports attack on tug in Strait of Hormuz

No details of the incident were provided

US military says 43 Iranian vessels sunk or damaged since start of conflict

3000 targets were struck in total, the US Central Command reported

UAE air defenses repel Iranian missile attack — top brass

According to the Defense Ministry, the explosions heard "are the result of the interception of missiles and drones

Third US Navy aircraft carrier prepares to deploy to Middle East — TV channel

The US Navy aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln is already in the area of the US-Israeli military operation against Iran, the second aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, is currently in the Red Sea

US may ease sanctions on Russian oil — Treasury secretary

Scott Bessent noted that the US gave India permission to accept the Russian oil

Four sailors killed, three injured in attack on tug in Strait of Hormuz — IMO

The IMO said the incident involved a 26-meter tug Mussafah 2, sailing under the UAE flag

Iraqi Kurds not attacking Iran fearing lack of support from US — news outlet

According to Axios, Iraqi Kurds consider the US administration's intentions regarding a change of power in Iran to be unclear, fearing an expansion of the conflict

Israeli army reports new wave of strikes on Tehran, attacks on IRGC university

In addition, Israel attacked underground bunkers where missiles were stored, as well as other military facilities, the statement said

Iran attacks building housing Gulf Cooperation Council officers in Bahrain — GCC chief

Jasem Al Budaiwi did not provide information on whether any officers were injured in the attack

EU refuses to accept Kiev early fearing sabotage of necessary reforms — Strana

The Ukrainian media has recently published a document, which allegedly sets out more expanded EU requirements for Ukraine's accession to the union

Qatari servicemen repel missile attack on country — top brass

The Qatari Interior Ministry sent a notification to Doha residents about an increased security threat

Iran warns European countries against supporting US, Israeli operation — diplomat

"Any country join the US and Israeli aggression against Iran, it will inevitably become a legitimate target for retaliation," Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi said

Russia, US discussing possible easing of sanctions on Russian oil — presidential envoy

Kirill Dmitriev emphasized that Western sanctions have proven detrimental to the world economy

Gold in Dubai for sale with discounts due to export difficulties

Traders offer discounts up to $30 per ounce

Eight people killed in strikes on Iran’s Isfahan — state broadcaster

The Iranian state broadcaster reported that 80 residential buildings were damaged in the province

CAR wants to boost economic cooperation with Russia — president

Faustin-Archange Touadera pointed out that the partnership between the two countries should become the foundation for a large-scale transformation of the CAR

Top Russian, Afghan diplomats discuss current escalation between Kabul, Islamabad

Sergey Lavrov stressed the need for settling disputes between Kabul and Islamabad by political and diplomatic means

High time for Kiev to do everything to make talks successful — Kremlin spokesman

Ukraine is well aware of what needs to be done, Dmitry Peskov said

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

Rubio tells Arab counterparts that conflict with Iran will last several more weeks — media

According to the US State Secretary, the United States' goal was not regime change

Medvedev calls US military bases in Persian Gulf countries ‘threat, not protection’

The Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman highlighted that the US used the bases "while protecting only one country"

Jordanian air defenses detect launch of 119 missiles

108 were intercepted and shot down

Russia terminates agreement with UN on creation of sustainable development center

The agreement was signed in Paris on September 5, 2008

Ukraine losing race for Patriot missiles to Middle East — Russian diplomat

Russian Foreign Ministry Ambassador-at-Large Rodion Miroshnik noted that since the beginning of the crisis in the Middle East, Vladimir Zelensky has been calling Arab leaders, "trying to stay on the agenda"

Saudi Arabia destroys two drones, one of them in eastern Riyadh — top brass

According to Defense Ministry Spokesman Turki al-Maliki, the Saudi military destroyed a drone in the Rub' al-Khali desert area

Potential involvement of US military: Probe into attack on school in Iran

US military investigators have found that American forces were likely responsible for the recent strike on an Iranian girls' school, Reuters reported

Three dead, 12 injured after tornado hits Michigan — TV

The tornado hit an area near Lake Union

Kurdish opposition vows not to enter war with Iran at anyone's request

Iranian Kurdistan Freedom Party spokesman Khalil Nadiri pointed out that the main force of the Kurdish opposition was located in Iran

Russian LNG supplies to Europe up 11% in January-February

Imports of Russian LNG by the EU amounted to around 4.3 bcm in January-February

Russian UAV units begin combat operations in Kramatorsk in Donetsk region

An FPV drone operator lets civilian vehicles pass freely, the Volunteer Corps operating within Russia’s Battlegroup South said

Experts: US-Iran conflict opens door for stronger India-Russia energy ties

Fyodor Voitolovsky noted that the US attack on Iran and the subsequent rise in energy prices "will have long-term consequences for many markets"

Gas shortage hikes EU prices, impacts chemical and fertilizer output — Novak

According to the official, due to the shortage, prices in Europe have surged by 70%, while in the Asia-Pacific region, gas prices have almost doubled

Brent futures above $94 a barrel on ICE — market data

WTI futures with the settlement in April 2026 hiked 14.02% to $92.37 a barrel

US to reinsure vessels carrying oil, LNG, fertilizer in Persian Gulf

The program aims to normalize shipments of oil, LNG, fertilizer, and other goods through the Strait of Hormuz amid escalation in the Middle East

Russia wins on front gaining new partners; West loses everything — MEP

According to Lubos Blaga, NATO's expansion towards the Russian borders has failed

Biden boasts forgetting more about Putin, Xi Jinping than most people know

The former US president said that he knows more heads of state in person than any other president in US history

Iran strongly opposes foreign interference in internal affairs — envoy to UN

Amir-Saeid Iravani added that US statements regarding Washington’s involvement in the selection of Iran’s leadership "constitute a clear violation of the principles of non-interference in the internal affairs of states"

Current crisis over Iran to accelerate world order shift, end of US dominance — expert

While acknowledging the emerging new world order, Tiberio Graziani clarifies that the United States is unlikely to be entirely sidelined

Iran not stopping Indian ships in Strait of Hormuz — Deputy Foreign Minister

Saeed Khatibzadeh urged New Delhi to ask Washington, why they attack Iranian ships in the Indian Ocean

Russia launches massive strike on energy sites used by Ukrainian military — top brass

Russian servicemen also destroyed a Ukrainian Air Force Mi-8 helicopter and struck Ukrainian transport infrastructure facilities

Kiev accused Budapest of kidnapping people — what is known about the situation

Hungarian law enforcement agencies detained armored vehicles used to transport valuables from the Ukrainian Oschadbank on March 5

European Commission views Zelensky’s threats against Orban unacceptable

The European Commission Spokesperson Olof Gill urged the sides to calm down and tone down their rhetoric

Para alpine skier Voronchikhina wins Russia's first medal at Paralympics

The Russian athlete finished with a time of one minute 24.47 seconds

Winter Paralympic Games 2026 in Italy declared open

The opening ceremony is taking place in Verona

Moldova won’t settle Transnistria issue without considering its opinion — presidentt

A settlement is only possible on the basis of equal and civilized dialogue, Vadim Krasnoselsky said

Aluminum, nickel supplies from Russia to China up substantially in 2025 — research

The role of concentrates strengthened in Russian copper supplies

Israel hopes Azerbaijan will join strikes on Iran — broadcaster

According to the broadcaster, more countries may probably join the operation against Iran and its interests in the region

FACTBOX: Hungary suspends transit of key cargoes to Ukraine amid Druzhba pipeline dispute

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban stated that Ukraine is engaging in "state banditry" against Hungary and that appropriate responses must be found

Second group of Russian prisoners of war lands in Moscow Region

On March 6, 300 Russian servicemen were returned from the territory controlled by the Kiev regime