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Middle East conflict

Israeli defense chief orders army to prepare to expand operations in Lebanon

According to Israel Katz, he had warned Lebanon’s leadership that if it cannot control the country’s territory and prevent threats from the Hezbollah Shia movement and shelling attacks on Israel, then the Israelis "will take the territory" to do it themselves

TEL AVIV, March 12. /TASS/. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has said he ordered the army to prepare to expand its operations in Lebanon.

"The prime minister and I have ordered the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to prepare to expand the operation in Lebanon," Katz said at the Defense Ministry’s situation assessment meeting, according to the Ynet media outlet.

The defense chief added that he had warned Lebanon’s leadership that if it cannot control the country’s territory and prevent threats from the Hezbollah Shia movement and shelling attacks on Israel, then the Israelis "will take the territory" to do it themselves.

IMO Council to discuss Middle East conflict at extraordinary session

The session will be held on March 18-19

Russian UAV control unaffected by shutdown of foreign comms terminals — Defense Ministry

According to the ministry, UAVs of the Russian unmanned systems forces continue to engage enemy weapons, equipment, military facilities, and personnel on a daily basis

Islamic Resistance in Iraq conducts almost 300 operations against US military bases

According to the statement, 13 American servicemen were killed in the attacks

Death toll in Ukraine’s missile attack on Bryansk rises to seven people — governor

Alexander Bogomaz added that 42 people are wounded

Russian presidential envoy thanks US side for productive meeting in Florida

The US was represented by presidential envoy Steve Witkoff, US president’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, and White House Senior Advisor Josh Gruenbaum

Russia doesn’t plan to request UNSC meeting following Ukraine’s attack on Bryansk

The strikes killed seven and wounded 42 people

West’s 'pro-Ukrainian madness' can’t last forever, Medvedev says

The senior Russian official noted that "the hackneyed, artificially inflated concerns about the fate of the non-existent 'Country 404' will soon be replaced by an awareness of the need to respond to far more serious global challenges and threats"

US focus on Middle East to limit munitions supplies to Ukraine — newspaper

According to the report, some prices of weapon systems are clearly doubled

Iran loses more than 90% of its missile launchers — Bloomberg

According to the report, the US and Israel have "learned their lesson" after the escalation in the summer of 2025 and are now using the tactic of destroying launchers and command posts, which deprives Iran of the ability to carry out large-scale strikes

Ukraine launches 54 artillery attacks on Russia’s Kursk Region in past day — governor

A national of Saint Kitts and Nevis was killed in an attack on a motor road near the village of Bolshoye Soldatskoye, Alexander Khinshtein said

US won’t escalate war against Iran to escort tankers — Pentagon

Wahington has capabilities that no other nation on Earth has, Pete Hegseth said

US authorities change their position on petroleum reserves in several hours — WSJ

According to the sources, US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright told his colleagues from the G7 that releasing strategic petroleum reserves is premature because the oil price dropped below $90 a barrel

Novak instructs agencies to analyze situation in sectors considering global environment

Relevant agencies were tasked with presenting a detailed analysis of the state of the automotive industry, the areas of construction and building materials in terms of demand and supply, Russian Deputy Prime Minister said

G7 leaders not to lift sanctions against Russia despite issues with oil supplies — Marcon

The French president noted that G7 states are working to mitigate the negative impact of the conflict on global markets

Kiev brings Colombian mercenaries to Ukraine under construction job cover — document

Evidence was found on the phone of Colombian mercenary Jose Luis Pocheco Navarra

Israeli air defenses down only half of rockets fired by Hezbollah over past day — NYP

According to the report, the IDF is preparing a ground operation into Lebanon in response

Spain permanently recalls its ambassador to Israel — decree

There is currently no information on the appointment of a new head of the diplomatic mission

Epstein’s files mention Zelensky in connection with human trafficking from Ukraine

Vladimir Zelensky appears in Epstein's files several dozen times, most prominently in connection with the Jean-Luc Brunel case

Use of drones creates new ethics of war — Medvedev

With the use of drones, the concept of "war" as an existential risk for its participants dissolves, creating the illusion of "clean" and "almost bloodless" conflicts, the politician stated

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

'Reality changed' since Istanbul agreements — Kremlin

Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov stressed that agreements no longer meet the requirement of the changed situation

Drone motherships capable of carrying thousands of UAVs coming soon — Medvedev

Dmitry Medvedev noted that the rapid growth in the global production of unmanned systems had created a qualitatively new spectrum of threats to a wide range of facilities

Kremlin spokesman recalls Russia warned Turkey about Kiev's plans to sabotage pipelines

Russia has repeatedly conveyed this information, Dmitry Peskov noted

Israel strikes Beirut’s Aramoun neighborhood — TV

No details about the outcome of the attack were provided

Tankers begin crossing Strait of Hormuz

No ships were tracked to be moving in the opposite direction

Russian MFA highlights Iran's right to self-defense

Maria Zakharova stressed that it was crucial for all parties involved in the current conflict in the Middle East to exercise common sense and restraint

US to continue striking Iran with same force — Trump

The US president added that Washington is supposedly "leaving certain things" untouched

Iraqi oil ports suspend operations after attacks on tankers — authorities

The commercial ports continue operations

Ukrainian platoon led by Colombian mercenary surrenders in Zaporozhye Region

Most of the Ukrainian soldiers surrendered without resistance

Iran's 37th wave of attacks on Israel, US facilities most powerful since start of war — TV

According to the TV channel, the duration of several attacks carried out using missiles and drones was at least three hours

EC may deprive Venice Biennale of €2 mln grant for inviting Russia

European Commission Spokesperson Thomas Regnier added that the grant funds are intended for training and film production

Russia’s Provod fiber-optic drones effectively deployed in special military op zone

The drones are equipped with coils of 25, 30, and 36 kilometers

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

At least 21,700 civilian facilities in Iran damaged by US-Israeli strikes — Red Crescent

According to the authority, houses accounted for 17,353

Yolka drone being integrated into Russia's critical facilities anti-UAV defense system

The Yolka is a portable interception system that destroys targets with kinetic energy, no warheads needed

Foreign volunteer killed in Kiev forces’ attack on car in Kursk region

Governor Alexander Khinshtein expressed condolences to the relatives and loved ones of the deceased volunteer

Ukrainian leadership ordered attack that killed civilians in Bryansk — diplomat

Rodion Miroshnik emphasized that this was an "atrocity," an attack that is beyond comprehension

Gulf countries facing food shortages due to conflict — FT

The Gulf countries import about 90% of their foodstuffs, according to the report

Russian troops pound Ukrainian army’s energy, transport infrastructure over past day

The Ukrainian army lost roughly 1,325 troops in battles with Russian forces in all the frontline areas over the past 24 hours

Europe spurs Kiev to fight on for another couple of years — newspaper

The majority of the newspaper’s sources in the Rada believe that Ukraine will not hold elections in the near future

Putin discusses Middle East with leaders of Azerbaijan, UAE: what is known

The Russian leader expressed gratitude to Ilham Aliyev for his assistance in evacuating Russians from Iran amid attacks by the US and Israel

Ukrainian attack in Bryansk aimed at disrupting negotiation process — Russian MFA

Rodion Miroshnik noted that Zelensky "will be held directly accountable for the crimes committed"

Iran to stop holding back in case of aggression against its islands — parliament speaker

Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf warned that "the blood of American troops will be on the conscience" of US President Donald Trump

Kiev’s new attacks on Russkaya compressor station are reckless — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov said "this is yet another attack on an international facility, an international pipeline that ensures the energy security of Turkey and several other countries"

Russian embassy in London says blood of Bryansk residents on British military’s hands

Moscow reiterated its firm condemnation of the terrorist assault

Lavrov, Bahrain's foreign minister stress need to end military operations around Iran

The developments in the Gulf region were in focus of the discussion

Breakthrough innovations, new threats to humanity: Medvedev's statements

According to the Russian politician, modern technological progress is unprecedented in its speed, and humanity was not prepared for such rapid changes

Kiev's use of chemicals, West's anti-Russian campaign: statements by envoy to OPCW

The actions of the US and Israel constitute a serious violation of Iran's sovereignty, the UN Charter, and international law, Vladimir Tarabrin pointed out

Trump says wants to see people capable of governing country in power in Iran

The US president earlier said that Iran’s next supreme leader needs US approval if he wants "to last long"

Trump says is not planning to immediately end operation against Iran

Iran has lost most of its military potential, the US president says

Aviation college attacked in Iran’s Isfahan — TV

The sounds of explosions are heard in the city

Iranian Foreign Ministry asked neighbors not to let US abuse their territory

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman added that a great responsibility lies with the Europeans, and they must not pander to the US and Israel

Envoy to Russia lays out terms under which Iran would return to negotiating table

"We believe that this time we must resist to the very end, we must hold on, because this is a fateful war for the whole world," Kazem Jalali stated

Europe's reparations to African countries may range $18-$100 trillion — expert

Galli Monastyreva emphasized that the AU, representing all 54 African nations, has made justice for slavery and colonialism a priority, especially by declaring 2025 the "Year of Reparations"

Putin holds second telephone call with Iranian president in one week — Kremlin

Their previous telephone conversation took place on March 6, after Putin held a series of talks with leaders of the Persian Gulf countries

IN BRIEF: Russian court hands sentences to Crocus City Hall attackers, accomplices

The court confiscated the apartment and the car that the accomplices had provided to the attackers

Nearly 40 people evacuated from attacked tankers off Iraqi coast — security service

Saad Maan says that the tankers were hit in the national territorial waters

Hungary to block new sanctions on Russia until Kiev resumes oil transit — official

Gergely Gulyas noted that Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban would defend that position at an EU summit set to be held in Brussels on March 19-20

Iranian cyberattack disables Israel’s railway system — Iranian news agency

According to the report, all of the railway stations are "not safe until further notice"

Gold most profitable instrument on Russian market in Feb, yield amounts to 6% per annum

Securities from the banking and financial sectors were in the second place, yielding 4.7% per annum

WHO reports over 1,800 deaths in Iran, Lebanon, Israel amid current escalation

At least 12,500 people have been injured, Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus says

Russian troops 'turn war on its head' by pioneering drone warfare era - expert

According to Dmitry Kuzyakin, the war that everyone had known since the advent of artillery and aircraft was changed forever

Ukrainian drones strike Russian regions, spark oil depot fire, 80 downed

No casualties were reported

Effectiveness of Iranian strikes to increase as US arsenal depleted — expert

It’s surprising how quickly Iranian military learned and implemented lessons from the 12-day war, Vali R. Nasr noted

US President Trump says military operation against Iran to be over soon

According to the US leader, there is "practically nothing left to target" there

Press review: Could Iran mine Strait of Hormuz and war riles American public

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, March 12th

IDF reports another missile attack from Iran

Defensive systems are operating, the authority says

Iranian national football team to skip 2026 FIFA World Cup — minister

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be co-hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States between June 11 and July 19

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

Zelensky on edge hearing what was discussed in Putin-Trump call — expert

Viktor Medvedchuk emphasized that, amid the conflict in the Middle East, Vladimir Zelensky continues to treat his own people like expendable material

What we know about Russian presidential envoy’s meeting with US officials in Florida

According to Kirill Dmitriev, the meeting addressed both promising projects that can help restore Russia-US relations and the current crisis on global energy markets

Russian troops liberate Chervonaya Zarya community in Sumy Region over past day

The Ukrainian army lost roughly 1,370 troops in battles with Russian forces in all the frontline areas over the past 24 hours

US won't dare launch ground war against Iran — envoy

While the United States and Israel have armies equipped with the latest weapons, they wrongly view Iran as a weak adversary, Kazem Jalali said

Turkey did not use Russia’s S-400 missile systems to repel Iran attacks — ministry

According to the statement, the most suitable defense element is determined by considering the rules of engagement and the current operational situation

Expert admits risk of destabilization Transnistria due to US forces deployed in Romania

Dmitry Sorokin, head of the Russian-Moldovan Friendship and Cooperation Center, noted that approximately 200,000 Russian citizens live in Transnistria

At least 17 US facilities damaged in Iranian retaliatory strikes — NYT

In addition to US military bases, American diplomatic missions in Iraq, Kuwait, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia were attacked

Tensions in Strait of Hormuz unlikely to benefit either US or Iran, expert says

According to Liu Zhongmin, this kind of high-cost conflict is unsustainable for both sides and for the countries in the region

Results of vote on Russia’s resolution on Mideast raise questions — MFA

The outcome of the vote suggests a lack of genuine interest in ending the current confrontation in the Middle East, Maria Zakharova said

Container ship hit by unknown projectile some 60 km off Dubai — UKMTO

The vessel caught fire

Trump says US can destroy Iran's electric power network in one hour

"It'll be almost impossible for them to rebuild their country," the US president said

Attack on Arctic Metagaz terrorist act, war crime — Russian MFA spokeswoman

According to Maria Zakharova, it is noteworthy that this terrorist attack "was carried out in close proximity to the shores of an EU member state, yet so far, not a single European state has condemned what happened"

Bloodthirsty Israel, strikes on neighbors, talks: Iranian envoy's statements

Kazem Jalali noted that Tehran is not refusing to negotiate, still a number of conditions must be met

US underestimates oil impacts from its operation against Iran — Politico

Despite near-record US crude production, the conflict has sent gasoline prices at the pump up 60 cents a gallon in less than two weeks

Russian court hands out sentences in Crocus terror case, 15 accomplices get life in prison

The court also imposed additional penalties on all defendants in the form of fines

Iran war plus Russian oil ban is a double whammy for Europe — Szijjarto

The Hungarian foreign minister noted that the situation surrounding Iran is escalating and isn’t likely to be resolved anytime soon

Dovod cargo drones with machine vision developed in Russia

The Dovod drones use algorithms that allow them to locate points on the ground

Press review: Trump floats sanctions relief as oil soars and Israel's nuclear shadow looms

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, March 11th

Iran launches 40th phase of operation against Israel, US

The IRGC says attacks US military facilities in Jordan and Saudi Arabia

Nearly 1,350 civilians killed in Iran in US-Israeli strikes — Iranian diplomat

Amir-Saeid Iravani says that about 17,000 have been injured

Ukraine’s missile attack on Bryansk attempts to disrupt peace process — Russian MFA

London and other western capitals are attempting to undermine the peace process through large-scale provocation with civilian casualties, the Russian Foreign Minister said

Loss of oil flows via Strait of Hormuz leads to shock in Asian market — IEA

The main buyers of Middle East oil supplied via the Strait of Hormuz are China, India, South Korea and Japan

Iran wants peace but needs reparations, firm guarantees from US, Israel — president

Talking to leaders of Russia and Pakistan, I reaffirmed Iran’s commitment to peace in the region, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said

Russia dissatisfied with UNSC approval of Bahrain's Middle East resolution — MFA

Russian Foreign Ministry’s Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova also criticized the Bahraini authors for refusing to incorporate any of Russia’s or China’s proposed amendments, describing the draft as unbalanced

US bears responsibility for strike on school in Iranian city of Minab — NYT

According to the publication, the Tomahawk missile strike on the school was carried out due to a targeting error

FACTBOX: Iran's new supreme leader injured, over 1,800 dead in Mideast conflict escalation

At least 12,500 people have been injured in Iran, Lebanon, and Israel since the escalation of the Middle East conflict began

IN BRIEF: Further developments around Druzhba pipeline

Hungarian Deputy Energy Minister Gabor Czepek said that a Hungarian commission to assess the condition of the Druzhba oil pipeline has traveled to Ukraine for dialogue with the country's authorities on the resumption of Russian oil transit

Russia testing AI-based Svod drone in special military operation zone

The Svod is a separate line of UAVs with an improved system for intelligent guidance, tracking, and autonomous target engagement

Press review: Iran won't compromise with US as Russia offers lifeline in Mideast crisis

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, March 10th

Ukrainian aircraft used for Bryansk strikes may have taken off from Odessa region

The Ukrainian military launched a missile strike on Bryansk on March 10

IN BRIEF: What is known about newest Ukrainian attack on TurkStream infrastructure

The Russian Defense Ministry specified that no damage was caused to the facility

UNSC adopts Bahrain's resolution on Middle East, with Russia, China abstaining

Thirteen of the 15 members of the Security Council approved the resolution