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US-Israeli strikes on Iran

UNESCO cannot send its experts to Middle East amid continuing hostilities

The UNESCO spokesperson said that the organization continues its close collaboration with the United Nations Satellite Centre to jointly monitor the protection status of cultural properties

PARIS, March 13. /TASS/. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) cannot send its experts to the Middle East to assess the damage done to World Heritage sites amid the ongoing hostilities, a UNESCO spokesperson told TASS.

"Due to the rapidly changing circumstances and the intensity of ongoing hostilities in parts of the region, UNESCO is not currently in a position to dispatch experts to assess the damages on site," the spokesperson said, adding that the organization "continues its close collaboration with the United Nations Satellite Centre (UNITAR/UNOSAT) to jointly monitor the protection status of cultural properties using remote-sensing tools and satellite image analysis."

The United States and Israel launched a military operation against Iran on February 28. Major Iranian cities, including Tehran, were struck. The White House justified the attack by citing alleged missile and nuclear threats from Iran. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced a retaliatory operation, targeting sites in Israel. US military bases in Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE were also hit. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and some other key Iranian leaders were killed in the joint US-Israeli attack.

Iran to provide safe passage for Indian ships through Strait of Hormuz — ambassador

Mohammad Fathali said that Iran and India share common interests in the region

Military camp in southern Baghdad comes under attack — portal

According to the source, the facility was struck from the air, and plumes of smoke rose into the sky

Colombians help recruit compatriots into Ukraine's army — POW

According to the POW, the recruiter prepared the full set of documents required for travel to Ukraine, including a request from the head of the military-civilian administration of Zaporozhye, allegedly to take part in construction work

Czech President rules out purchase of Russian energy resources

Petr Pavel said that Prague reduced its dependence on Russian energy sources

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

Vessels transiting Strait of Hormuz must adhere to wartime laws — Iranian armed forces

The Iranian Armed Forces headquarters noted that this will allow the ships to avoid accidental shelling

Mobilization in Ukraine carried out via methods unthinkable in 21st century — Russian MFA

Maria Zakharova emphasized that "these are the worst global practices"

China urges US not to supply Taiwan with weapons — MFA

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun said that the US should take specific actions to ensure the stable development of China-US relations and maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait

Sri Lanka requested Russia to provide for energy supplies to country — Russian Embassy

The national government would be able to provide for continuous energy supplies during the coming two months only, President of Sri Lanka Anura Kumara Dissanayake said on Thursday

FACTBOX: Liberation of Kursk Region territories during special military operation

Since the beginning of the special military operation in February 2022, border areas of the Kursk Region, as well as the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant and the city of Kurchatov, have repeatedly come under shelling and drone attacks

Japan’s deployment of offensive weapons threatens regional peace — newspaper

As the article points out, Japan’s rush to push forward 'remilitarization' represents a continuation of policies driven by conservative political forces in recent years to pursue the status of a major military power

US 'confession' on HIMARS, calls for settlement: latest on war in Middle East

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi noted that "nobody should complain" if Iran’s missiles destroy the launchers

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

American sailors set fire to USS Gerald R. Ford to avoid fighting — Iranian army

On March 12, the US Naval Forces Central Command reported that a fire broke out on board the USS Gerald R. Ford

Islamic Resistance in Iraq said it attacked another US plane

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq movement says the crew escaped

Putin’s envoy calls EU diplomacy chief a vassal lamenting US push to divide Europe

The EU’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, told the Financial Times in an interview that the US is seeking to divide European governments, which wield less power individually

Attacker of Michigan synagogue shot dead — media

One of the guards was wounded, his life is not in danger

Lukashenko calls on Ukraine, NATO to stay out of Belarus, lest Oreshnik missiles be used

The Belarusian leader emphasized that his remarks are not threats against any nation or organization

Iran made it clear to Arab countries it is unwilling to end conflict with US — Axios

The report indicates that Iran remains unwilling to de-escalate the conflict until it receives concrete international assurances that aggression against the country will not resume

Russia, China oppose holding UNSC meeting to discuss Sanctions Committee report on Iran

During the procedural vote, 11 Security Council members voted in favor

US distorts facts claiming that Tehran enriched uranium to 60% — envoy to UN

Amir-Saeid Iravani says Washington "ignores the real root of the situation"

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

Russian Battlegroup North units gained control of the settlement of Chervonaya Zarya in the Sumy Region and Battlegroup South units liberated the settlement of Golubovka in the DPR through active offensive operations

Russia necessary for mitigating global energy crisis — presidential envoy

Kirill Dmitriev says European politicians will have to admit their energy policy mistakes

Ten medical workers killed in Ukrainian attack on healthcare facility in DPR

The Russian Investigative Committee added that 10 people, including nine medical workers, sustained injuries

One DPR civilian wounded in Ukrainian attacks in past day

Two houses were damaged as a result of the attack

US not going to give carveouts for Russian oil — energy secretary

According to Chris Wright, the US administration is "focused on results"

At least 33 wounded in strike on residential building in north Israel — Ynet

A projectile damaged several houses in the community of Zarzir

Attack on USS Abraham Lincoln, fears of migration crisis: Middle East conflict

Some European countries fear that the US and Israeli military operation against Iran could trigger a massive influx of migrants, testing the European Union's reformed asylum system

Iranian General Staff says US refueling aircraft was downed over western Iraq

The Central Command of the US armed forces said that the plane had been lost not due to hostile fire or friendly fire

Russian Lancet drone destroys Ukrainian army’s substation in Slavyansk at 60 km distance

The Lancet UAV crew has thus demonstrated its ability to deliver strikes on enemy critical infrastructure and disrupt the operation of its military installations, the UAV crew commander with the call sign Kasper stressed

Iran attacks IDF headquarters in Beersheba area in Israel on March 13

According to the statement, the strikes on other Israeli army facilities will further continue

Kiev set to escalate and takes out its anger for defeats on civilians — Zakharova

The Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman added that the Ukrainian army’s attacks on civilians "demonstrate an obvious intention to escalate the conflict on the part of" Ukraine

US burns through 'years' of munitions since start of Iran War — FT

According to the newspaper, the rapid arms consumption is increasing pressure on the administration of US President Donald Trump

US de-facto admitted that Russian oil crucial for market stability — presidential envoy

Kirill Dmitriev says that the abolishment of restrictions concerns about 100 million barrels of Russian oil

Russia to hold TV linkup with over 40 countries on Ukraine’s crimes on March 19

Foreign Ministry’s Ambassador-at-Large Rodion Miroshnik says Russia will offer a detailed picture of the Belgorod Region crimes

Israeli leadership now thinks regime change in Iran is impossible — media

According to sources, Israel and the United States would need to continue military operations for several months to potentially effect a change of government in Iran

Iran counts on BRICS to help stabilize regional, global situation — foreign minister

Abbas Araghchi stressed the need for international and regional organizations to condemn the military aggression unleashed against Iran

Russia's permanent OPCW rep suggests West falsified Navalny results

The prolonged presence of the biomaterials of Navalny's on the territory of one of the Western countries could have precipitated the deliberate introduction of synthetic epibatidine into their composition to falsify the results of the analysis

Ukraine’s refusal to discuss Druzhba condition with Hungarian experts absurd — Orban

The Hungarian prime minister asked the head of the delegation, Deputy Energy Minister of Hungary Gabor Czepek, to continue seeking after a meeting with representatives of the Ukrainian QEnergy Ministry and inspect some infrastructural facilities of the pipeline

US Navy refuses requests for military escorts through Strait of Hormuz — agency

According to the sources, the US Navy says the risk of attacks is too high

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

West should think long and hard why Ukraine is begging it for nukes — Russian diplomat

"In fact, one gets the impression that European elites have no ability at all to think strategically," Maria Zakharova said

Hormuz and US-Israel compensation: statement by new supreme leader of Iran

Mojtaba Khamenei confirmed the deaths of his sister and wife

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

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

US sees no evidence of Russia helping Iran — envoy to NATO

Matthew Whitaker mentioned an earlier conversation where "the Russians" told Special Presidential Envoy Steve Witkoff they were not "participating with the Iranians"

Almost 60 wounded in missile attack on northern Israel — newspaper

A building was damaged. Bomb squads are working in the area

Russia’s nuclear-powered submarine Kazan conducts missile-firing exercise in Barents Sea

The Northern Fleet reported that, according to live recording data, the Oniks missile’s warhead hit the sea target

Macron states the need for restoring Druzhba pipeline functioning as soon as possible

"It is important, in the first instance, to ensure full transparency," the French president said

Iranian embassy in Vienna has no information about strikes on 'Taleghan' center

According to the Israeli army's press service, the "Taleghan" compound was "utilized by the regime to advance critical capabilities for developing nuclear weapons"

Russia controls 90% of Donbass, ambassador to UK says

"The situation in Ukraine itself is that it is steadily moving towards defeat," Andrey Kelin said

US may form international coalition for vessels in Strait of Hormuz — Bessent

The US treasury secretary refuted information that Iran had allegedly mined the Strait of Hormuz

Moscow, Tehran maintain daily contact — Russian envoy to UK

Andrey Kelin noted the strategic partnership between Moscow and Tehran

Moldova's Dniester River contaminated with oil coming from Ukraine

The latest samples taken near the village of Naslavcha showed level 5 contamination, a significant deviation from the norm that poses a risk to human health

EU diplomacy chief sees US president using hostile tactics to divide Europe

Kaja Kallas acknowledged that Brussels and Washington have a "very complicated relationship"

NATO not participating in military operations in Middle East — Military Committee head

Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone chose not to speculate on how long the conflict could last

FACTBOX: Over 170 drones downed over Russian regions, Sevastopol drone attack aftermath

Several homes sustained damage from drone debris, with no casualties reported

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

US vice president opposed Trump’s decision to launch Iran war — Politico

JD Vance is "skeptical," is "worried about success" and "just opposes" the Iran war, the officials revealed

Islamic Resistance in Iraq claims responsibility for downing US refueling plane

The representatives for the movement say "suitable weapons" were used for the purpose

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

US lifts sanctions on Russian oil loaded on vessels before March 12 — Treasury Department

The license allows transactions with Russian fuel before April 11

TotalEnergies halts oil, gas production in Qatar, Iraq and on UAE shelf

Onshore oil production in the UAE "is not affected by the conflict, as it is exported through the Fujairah terminal," TotalEnergies said

ZALA recon drone crew in LPR conducts up to seven sorties per day — soldier

According to UAV crew chief of the 7th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of Battlegroup South, call sign "Casper," the flight duration depends on the type of mission and weather conditions

Iran completes heaviest missile attack on Israel — IRGC Aerospace Force chief

According to the report, the operation successfully disrupted and destroyed key Israeli aerial surveillance systems

Iran warns against attacks on its energy infrastructure

A representative of Khatam al-Anbiya, the central headquarters of the Iranian army, says that otherwise Iran would destroy all oil and gas infrastructure of interest to the US in the region

Western plans for nuclear weapons for Kiev 'aggressive, stupid' — Russian MFA

Adversaries in Western Europe are effectively losing the last remnants of their self-preservation instinct, Maria Zakharova said

During talks, Iran proposed formally sealing its refusal from nuclear ambitions — minister

Abbas Araghchi says Washington turned down the proposal

US-Israeli operation against Iran to last for at least another 2-3 weeks — media

The officials are "accounting for the possibility US President Donald Trump makes an abrupt decision if he concludes his objectives have been met"

Vessels may pass through Strait of Hormuz with permission from Iranian Navy — MFA

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said that Iran does not want the strait to become unsafe

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

Iran threatens Israel with imminent destruction

The destruction of the Zionist regime and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the territory of Palestine, in which all religions and denominations will be represented, is near, the Iranian army said

Ukraine’s chemical weapon provocations, terrorism: statements by Russia’s envoy to OPCW

Vladimir Tarabrin said that Ukraine continues to develop its chemical weapons program, "particularly with support and mediation from some foreign countries"

Iran claims to have struck US aircraft carrier in Persian Gulf

Iran’s IRGC said the US vessel had left the Persian Gulf and was fleeing back to the United States

Call on Ukraine, NATO to stay away from Belarus and Oreshnik: Lukashenko’s statements

The Belarusian president stressed that Ukraine and NATO should refrain from interfering in Belarusian affairs, lest Minsk be compelled to use the Oreshnik missile system

Missiles downed in Turkey were launched by third party — Iranian ambassador

Iran’s ambassador to Ankara Mohammad Hassan Habibollahzadeh asserted that Iran had not initiated any attacks

Northern Sea Route is good alternative to Suez Canal — Russian transport minister

Andrey Nikitin said the Northern Sea Route turns out to be even quicker

Russian tech firm develops new long-range loitering munition

The new drone features high speed and maneuverability that allow it to use different flight paths to bypass enemy air defenses

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

Serbia has no plans to join NATO, will remain neutral — president

Aleksandar Vucic says Serbia, NATO maintain "consistent relations"

Iraqi tankers can cross Strait of Hormuz — Iran’s ambassador to Baghdad

Two tankers were attacked in the Iraqi waters a day before the statement

Iranian diplomat blames US for navigation problems in Strait of Hormuz

Iranian Permanent Representative to the United Nations Amir-Saeid Iravani says that Iran is fully committed to the law of the sea

British, French ambassadors summoned to Russia’s Foreign Ministry over strikes on Bryansk

In case of further involvement of London and Paris in the Kiev regime’s war crimes, precisely these European countries will bear responsibility for the destructive consequences of the armed conflict and the escalation of tension, the Russian Foreign Ministry stressed.

Tehran to leave neighbors alone if US banned from using their territory for strikes — MFA

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei stressed that Iran has no hostile intentions towards the peoples and countries of the region

Diplomatic solution to Ukraine conflict badly needed — Russian ambassador to UK

Andrey Kelin noted the US was "playing a constructive role in this diplomatic effort"

Central Iranian city of Arak bombed — TV

No information on damage or casualties is available so far

Some WMD nonproliferation bodies want to 'play politics' — Lavrov

The Russian foreign minister expressed Moscow's support for the values of the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization

Press review: US eyes unblocking Strait of Hormuz as Israel moves to expand ops in Lebanon

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, March 13th

Israel comes under new missile fire from Iran during Netanyahu’s press conference

Air raid sirens sounded in the Tel Aviv area

Iraqi radical groups say they carried out over 30 attacks on US sites in past day

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq says the armed groups used drones and missiles for the strikes

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

Trucks with Russian medicines for Iran cross Azerbaijani-Iranian border — agency

According to it, after appropriate procedures the passage of vehicles with medicines sent through the Astara border checkpoint was ensured

Six French citizens wounded in drone attack in northern Iraq — TV

The incident occurred during a strike on a base of a Kurdish militia group

Conflict in Iran to become 'beginning of end' for United Nations — Iranian MFA

Esmaeil Baghaei said this organization failed to take the correct position regarding the aggression against Iran

Russia, US have similar interests in stabilizing energy markets now — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov noted that the Kremlin sees the actions of the American side as an attempt to stabilize energy markets

Bank of Russia sets official dollar rate at 79.07 rubles for March 13

The official euro rate was reduced by 54.85 kopecks to 91.3893 rubles

Question of lifting anti-Russian sanctions raised during Japan’s ruling party meeting

Lawmaker Muneo Suzuki noted that Japan could use its geographical advantage to replace oil and gas supplies from the Middle East

Shelling of Zaporozhye NPP, Iran's nuclear program: Rosatom CEO talks with IAEA chief

The IAEA has been operating at the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant for five years under the difficult conditions of a military conflict, yet this has not prevented it from establishing cooperation with the Russian side

FACTBOX: What is known about US softening of sanctions against Russian oil

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent claimed that Russia would not benefit significantly from the temporary easing of sanctions

Romania requests US waiver to restart Lukoil refinery

According to the country’s Energy Minister Bogdan Ivan, the refinery accounts for "approximately 21% of Romania's total refining capacity"

India receives large LNG batches every day — Petroleum Minister

India has sufficient gas production and supply arrangements to sustain this position even in the event of a prolonged conflict, Hardeep Singh Puri said

Pakistan launches new airstrikes on Afghanistan, killing four

Facilities in Kabul as well as in Kandahar, Paktia and Paktika provinces came under attack