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US-Israeli strikes on Iran

Macron holds phone talks with Trump, Pezeshkian

Earlier, the French president held negotiations over the phone with Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani

PARIS, March 8. /TASS/. French President Emmanuel Macron held phone talks with his US and Iranian counterparts, Donald Trump and Masoud Pezeshkian, the BFMTV television channel reported.

No further details were given.

Earlier, Macron spoke over the phone with the leaders of a number of Middle East countries, including Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani.

On February 28, the US and Israel launched a military operation against Iran. Major Iranian cities, including Tehran, were hit. The White House justified the attack by citing missile and nuclear threats allegedly emanating from Tehran. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced a large-scale retaliatory operation, attacking facilities in Israel. US targets in Bahrain, Jordan, Qatar, Kuwait, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia were also hit. The strikes on Iran killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several other key figures in the Islamic Republic's leadership.

Swearing-in ceremony for Iran's new leader will take place on March 9 in Tehran - Fars

According to the agency, the ceremony will start at 3:00 p.m. local time in Enghelab Square in the center of the Iranian capital

Explosion near US embassy in Oslo may be linked to Middle East events — police

The report also said that security measures will be strengthened in Oslo

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

Putin congratulates Russian women on March 8

The president says that the country celebrates the holiday with "the most uplifting and warm feelings"

UAE is in state of war — President

Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan thanked the armed forces for an outstanding role in time of combat actions

Election of Iran’s new supreme leader has taken place — Assembly of Experts member

The leader has been determined, Assembly member Ahmad Alamolhoda said

Russia following election campaign in France with interest — Kremlin

The Kremlin comments on the victory of former French Prime Minister, Francois Fillon, in the primaries

Trump says doesn’t predict when operation against Iran will end

The US president said earlier that he expected the operation against Iran to last four or five weeks

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

Ukraine’s Degree Trans unveils Bullet interceptor drone

According to the manufacturer, the interceptor UAV reaches speeds up to 450 km/h, carries payloads between 2.5 kg and 9 kg, and operates at ranges up to 200 km in both autonomous and piloted modes

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

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

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

Russia’s Gonets satellite system serves as example of successful conversion

The system was created after upgrading special-purpose communications satellites for civilian use

US destroys dialogue with Russia on arms control — Lavrov

According to the foreign minister, the destructive US policy has led to "a very deep degradation of US-Russia relations"

Russia to launch full Gonets-M1 satellite group by 2033

It is noted that at least nine rocket launches will be necessary to orbit all satellites

Russian air defenses shoot down 180 Ukrainian fixed-wing drones over past day

Russian air defense systems also shot down 13 rockets from the HIMARS multiple launch rocket system

Woman killed, more than 10 other people injured in Ukrainian attack on apartment buildings

Emergency services are still working now, checking to ensure that no one remains under the rubble

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

Fire outbreak occurs at oil depot in Krasnodar Region — emergency services

According to the latest data, nobody was injured

Russia has drone superiority in Zaporozhye Region — serviceman

According to a strike UAV operator with the 1251st Motorized Rifle Regiment, call sign "Znakhar", the enemy’s unmanned aerial vehicles are currently suffering considerable losses

Damage to Israeli economy from operation against Iran could reach $3 bln a week — Reuters

The Israel’s Finance Ministry attributes these losses to the level of restrictions imposed in the country amid the escalating conflict

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

The IRGC also reported having hit the Israeli Defense Ministry building

Zelensky says no Druzhba pipeline restart without €90 bln EU loan

The head of Kiev regime said that he did not intend to allow an independent commission to assess the condition of the Druzhba pipeline

Medvedev calls for banning traitors from re-entering Russia for life

Dmitry Medvedev argues that "the return of such persons home can take place only in the event of their unequivocal public repentance and, in appropriate cases, only through an amnesty or pardon"

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

Destabilization of Middle East produced cumulative effect — Peskov

The Russian presidential spokesman also noted that the modern world has lost what used to be called international law, and it is now unclear how anyone can be called upon to comply with it if it effectively no longer exists

Germany gets closer to Russian stance on Armenian genocide — diplomat

Germany’s Bundestag has approved a resolution describing the Ottoman era mass killings of Armenians as genocide

Iran strikes another oil tanker in Persian Gulf — state TV

It may have been a US asset

Qatar’s airspace closed until morning — dispatchers

A source in the dispatch service of the Doha flight information region, added that during this period flights of state and medical aviation are permitted, as well as aviation search and rescue operations subject to prior authorization from the country’s aviation authorities

Battlegroup North destroys 102 UAVs, 36 heavy quadcopters of Kiev forces in one day

Three Ukrainian armed forces servicemen surrendered to the group's fighters.

China, Russia not afraid of external pressure — Wang Yi

China's foreign minister says "back-to-back relations became the essence of Sino-Russian ties"

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

South Korea, US have launched Freedom Shield military exercises — Yonhap

The exercises will last until March 19

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

Russia has no interest in NATO's collapse, alliance just 'anachronism' — Lavrov

The Russian foreign minister recalled that "the organization was created to contain the Soviet Union and its geopolitical allies"

Ukraine to spend EU loan of $500 mln to buy only Russian gas — Gazprom

Russia will grant Ukraine a gas price discount for the autumn-winter season

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

Nuclear facility in Isfahan seriously damaged after US-Israeli attack — agency

The news agency says has received no reports on radioactive contamination

Hungary to investigate why Ukrainians brought millions in cash into the country — Orban

The prime minister says he has "certain suspicions" on the matter

Top Russian, UAE diplomats call for immediate de-escalation in Middle East

The foreign ministers paid special attention to the cessation of attacks resulting in casualties among civilians

US not planning to send land troops to Iran so far — White House

American president Donald Trump doesn’t rule out such an option, spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said

Russia remains open to negotiations as it serves Moscow’s interests — Peskov

The Russian presidential spokesman also believes that Vladimir Putin was right in saying that, amid the "perfect storm" currently unfolding in the world, Russia must focus on itself and its own interests

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

Peskov explains difference between US talks with Iran and Russia

Russia conducts dialogue with the United States directly, while US negotiations with Iran were carried out through intermediaries, the Russian presidential spokesman said

Ukrainian forces lose about 1,255 troops in special military operation zone over past day

Russian troops also struck launch sites of Ukrainian long-range attack drones, Russian Defense Ministry reported

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"

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

Four civilians died, 10 were injured over the period, according to reports received by local authorities

US, Israel consider sending special forces to Iran to seize highly enriched uranium

The Axios portal said such a scenario is being considered if the sides conclude that Iran’s military capabilities have been sufficiently weakened

Witkoff says he asked Russia not to share intelligence with Iran

US President Donald Trump, in turn, said that the United States does not know whether the Russian side is sharing such data with Iran

Brent crude oil price exceeds $119 per barrel for first time since June 17, 2022

As of 5:30 a.m. Moscow time, oil was trading at $119.36 per barrel

Putin signs law on refusing extradition of foreigners who fought in Russian army

The bill, introduced by the Russian government in November 2025 and passed by the lower house of Russia’s parliament in February 2026

Trump says Iran’s new supreme leader will not ‘last long’ without US’s approval

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that it is up to the Iranians to elect their new supreme leader and no one can interfere in this matter

Battlegroup West destroys 37 UAV control points, 2 Starlink stations of Kiev forces

The enemy lost four loitering munitions, 41 fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles, and 64 heavy combat quadcopters

French politician demand Paris halt aid to Ukraine other threats to Hungarian PM

Not a single euro, not a single [unit] of weapons, not a single French soldier for Ukraine, wrote Leader of the French party The Patriots Florian Philippot

Belarus supports Russia in peaceful settlement of Ukrainian conflict — Lukashenko

According to Belarusian president, dialogue is of prime importance in this situation

German industrial production in ‘free fall’ — Dmitriev

The head of RDIF made the remark in response to a post by former chief economist of the German precious metals trading company Degussa Goldhandel and honorary professor of economics at the University of Bayreuth Thorsten Polleit, who shared a chart illustrating the current state of German industrial production

Fire area in oil depot in Armavir is 200 sq m

According to an earlier report, the fire occurred due to a drone attack

Russia calls for ceasefire in Middle East in UN Security Council draft resolution — source

The document expresses deep concern "over the current military escalation in the Middle East and beyond"

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

Pezeshkian rejects Iran’s responsibility for drone attack on Nakhchivan

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev says it is important to investigate the incident

Arab League chief urges Iran to show restraint to avoid serious consequences for region

Ahmed Aboul Gheit has condemned Iran’s attacks on Gulf countries

Relations between Russia, China, remain strong and sound — China’s Foreign Minister

Wang Yi says Sino-Russian relations remain unshakable amid twists and turns in the international situation

Son of late Ali Khamenei elected as Iran's new Supreme Leader — Assembly of Experts

Mojtaba Khamenei was elected unanimously

US sticks to its policy of anti-Russian sanctions, despite easing for India — official

This step was geared to "tamp this fear of shortage of oil, tamp the price breaks and the concerns we see in the marketplace, US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said

Orban says he received Zelensky's message, advises him to refrain from threats

The Hungarian prime minister warned that Ukraine cannot achieve anything through blackmail against his country

China's Special Envoy to work to reduce tensions around Iran — Chinese Embassy

Spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington, D.C. Liu Pengyu says that China will send Zhai Jun to work with all parties to the conflict

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"

UAE denies involvement in strike on desalination plant in Iran

The Jerusalem Post noted that the Israeli army also denied its participation in the attack

Trump calls rising oil prices small price to pay for national and global security

The US president says the prices will fall soon "when the destruction of the Iran nuclear threat is over"

Expert does not rule out global ‘fight for LNG’ amid Middle East tensions

According to Alexey Grivach, in that case, many buyers in Asia will be looking for alternatives, including from Russia

Iran's internal security forces pledge allegiance to new Supreme Leader

The National Security Forces Command vowed to carry out all his orders

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

Bahrain air defenses intercept, destroy 95 Iranian missiles, 164 drones since escalation

The General Command of Bahrain’s armed forces urged citizens to "remain at home and leave only in cases of extreme necessity

EU countries see Ukraine’s energy blackmail but silence each other — Peskov

Vladimir Zelensky will become a liability for the EU, but it will already be too late, told Russian presidential spokesman

Fire outbreak contained at oil depot in Krasnodar Region — emergency services

The burned area reached 700 square meters

Attacks on fuel storage facilities in Iran amount to chemical warfare — diplomat

The U.S.-Israeli criminal war against the Iranian nation has entered a dangerous new phase with deliberate strikes on Iran's energy infrastructure, told Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei

Three people died in strike against hotel in Beirut

Nine more were injured during the incident

US doesn’t target Iran’s oil, gas infrastructure — Energy Secretary

The US is targeting zero energy infrastructure, US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said

Russian forces hit command post of Azov nationalist regiment in Zaporozhye region

"The command post of the nationalist Azov regiment was hit near the village of Maryevka, Zaporozhye region," Konashenkov said

Putin re-establishes Moscow and Leningrad Military Districts — decree

The newly established Military Districts have embraced the regions previously assigned to the Western Military District and the Northern Fleet

Issue of attempt on Alekseev’s life raised with Kiev in tough terms at talks

The attempt on the life of Lieutenant-General Vladimir Alekseev occurred in a residential building on Volokolamskoye Highway in northwestern Moscow on February 6

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

Russian army destroys five Ukrainian boats carrying soldiers across Dnieper

It is also reported that an anti-tank missile system crew successfully hit an M777 towed howitzer, hidden in the coastal zone, with a guided missile at a distance of over four kilometers

Brent crude price rises by 19% oil on London ICE Exchange

The price reached $111.40 per barrel as of 1:15 a.m. Moscow time

One person killed in drone strike on airport in Erbil — Shafaq News

According to the source, the victim of the strike was a member of the Asayish internal security service

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

Desalination plant in Bahrain damaged in Iranian drone attack — interior ministry

Authorities later clarified that the incident did not lead to disruptions in the country’s water supply

Time to implement Putin’s idea of UN Security Council ‘five’ summit — Lavrov

The foreign minister added that Russia believes that the United States must clarify its plans to the world and how these plans correspond with the norms that previously existed

China urges to immediately stop hostilities in Middle East — Wang Yi

The foreign minister called for preventing further escalation, spread of the conflict outside the region

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

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

Macron holds phone talks with Trump, Pezeshkian

Earlier, the French president held negotiations over the phone with Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani

Battlegroup West destroyed 59 heavy Ukrainian drones in 24 hours

The battlegroup also destroyed nine unmanned surface vehicles and 33 drone control stations of the Ukrainian army

Ukrainian crisis arose from Western support for coup in Kiev — Putin

The Kiev regime is manipulating European countries, the Russian President said, describing such interaction with the phrase "the tail wagging the dog"

Brent crude oil price exceeds $115 per barrel for first time since June 29, 2022

By 5:16 a.m. Moscow time, the futures price exceeded $117 per barrel

Putin enjoys strong support among Russians, latest poll shows

The survey was carried out between March 12-18 among 1,600 respondents aged 18 and older

Kazakhstan interested in long-term supplies of nuclear fuel in Vietnam

Kazakhstan is interested in long-term supplies of nuclear fuel in Vietnam and in NPP construction projects in that country

UAE doesn’t want to be drawn into conflict, but reserve right to defend itself — ministry

The United Arab Emirates reaffirms that it is acting in self-defense against the brutal and unjustified Iranian aggression, which included the launch of more than 1,400 ballistic missiles and drones targeting infrastructure and civilian cites, the foreign ministry said

Ukraine hit Belgorod Region by missiles — Governor

Vyacheslav Gladkov says that according to preliminary information, nobody was injured, but energy infrastructure is seriously damaged

UAE air defenses detect launch of 17 missiles, 117 drones from Iran on March 8

According to the defense ministry, since the start of the escalation, 238 Iranian ballistic missiles and more than 1,400 drones have been launched toward the UAE

IRGC says it launched missile attack against US forces in Kuwait

The armed forces did not report any casualties or material damage