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US-Israeli strikes on Iran

Saudi Arabia, other Gulf countries to respond to escalation with escalation — top diplomat

Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud accused Iran of resorting to "blackmail aimed at achieving its political goals"

CAIRO, March 19. /TASS/. Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries of the Persian Gulf will respond with escalation to any escalation on the part of Iran, Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud said.

He accused Iran of resorting to "blackmail aimed at achieving its political goals."

"They apologize, but their apologies sound just as a yet another attempt to blackmail our countries. Any escalation will be met only with escalation in respose," the minister said following a meeting of 12 top Arab and Islamic diplomats in Riyadh, aired by Al Hadath.

The Saudi foreign minister expressed hope that "Iranian attacks on Persian Gulf countries will cease."

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Iran Saudi Arabia

US-Israeli strikes on Iran

Projectile hits vessel near Qatar’s Ras Laffan industrial zone

All crew members are reported safe

At least 14 drones downed over Sevastopol — governor

According to preliminary reports, there were no casualties

IN BRIEF: Iran’s Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant comes under attack

Rosatom Director General Alexey Likhachev specified that the strike had hit the area near the office of the facility’s meteorological service, in close proximity to an operating power unit

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Attack on Bushehr nuke, European illusion of Russian defeat: Foreign Ministry statements

A solution to the navigation problems in the Strait of Hormuz "must be sought at the negotiating table," Maria Zakharova noted

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Sergey Shoigu said that amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, the threat of terrorist attacks against critical infrastructure is becoming "even more imminent and widespread"

Russia needs to build import-independent maritime economy — Patrushev

The official noted that the risk of terrorist attacks and sabotage against vessels heading to Russian ports remained high

Foreign minister says Israel wants peace with Lebanon, but without Hezbollah

Gideon Saar opined that the movement "has taken over Lebanon" and is acting according to Iran’s interests

India increases naval presence to escort vessels near Strait of Hormuz

According to the report, the Indian Navy has dispatched at least six ships, including logistics support vessels

Putin’s order on possible withdrawal from EU energy markets being worked out — Kremlin

The energy market is currently experiencing serious turmoil due to the war around Iran, Dmitry Peskov noted

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Sergey Garmonin also noted that Geneva is not a preferred platform for Russia

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By 11:15 p.m. Moscow time, Brent futures accelerated their growth by 6.97%, trading at $110.71 per barrel

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As the Hungarian prime minister stressed, Moscow "made it clear from the very first point that if NATO is moving to the Russian border, accepting Ukraine is a member, that would be a reason for war"

US strikes more than 7,800 targets in Iran — White House

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt specified that the US military had sunk more than 120 Iranian ships

Six Indian ships carrying 300,000 tons of LNG stuck in Strait of Hormuz — ministry

A total of 22 Indian vessels carrying oil, LNG, chemicals, and petroleum products are stuck in the Strait of Hormuz

Ukrainian strike damages high-voltage power line supplying Energodar — mayor

Power supply services are working intensively to get the situation under control

Zaporozhye NPP to be safe only after Russia’s victory — governor

Yevgeny Balitsky also added that Western institutions have been unable to guarantee the ZNPP’s security

Hungary is in the EU for access to markets — PM Orban

"Unfortunately, direction to where the European Union is moving in terms of values, has nothing to do with the values what we confess and believe in," Viktor Orban said

Iran carries out strikes on four Israeli cities, US bases in Middle East

According to the IRGC, all US military bases in the Middle East, including the Al Dhafra, Ali Al Salem and Al-Azraq facilities, once again came under attack

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

Gas prices situation in Europe makes UGS injection unprofitable — Gazprom

According to Gas Infrastructure Europe as of March 16, the gas reserves level in European UGS continues declining and reached 28.9%

US faces political crisis over Iran war — magazine

According to a columnist for The American Conservative, the rise in oil prices on the back of the Middle East war "threatens to kick off a global recession"

Russia's sea drones far ahead of foreign developments in many respects — aide

Russia is already using autonomous, unmanned, and remotely operated underwater vehicles, and scientific institutes and design bureaus are developing a new generation of such technology, Nikolay Patrushev noted

Putin proposes Medvedev for position of United Russia leader

In his opinion it would be appropriate to nominate Dmitry Medvedev

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

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Sanctions were lifted from UAE-based BSB Group and Futuris FZE, and Turkey-based Turken Dijital Matbaa Teknolojileri

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Vladimir Tarabrin warned that any other countries that, for political, economic, or other reasons, "do not suit the Euro-Atlanticists" could be "next in line"

IAEA response to Bushehr NPP incident disproportionate — Russia’s envoy

According to Mikhail Ulyanov, the missile exploded 200 meters from an operational nuclear reactor

Iranian authorities confirm death of Larijani, appoint successors

The politician died due to the US and Israeli strikes on Iran

Russian-Iranian-Chinese exercise heralds emergence of new naval alliance — Iranian admiral

On the morning of March 14, the Russian Defense Ministry reported that the practical phase of the Maritime Security Belt - 2024 exercise ended in the Gulf of Oman

Pentagon seeks billions of dollars to replenish its stockpiles of munitions

Some US administration officials believe that receiving $200 billion for these needs would be unrealistic

US does not rule out attempts to seize nuclear fuel from Iran — White House

A senior US administration official stated earlier that Washington had no intention of conducting any military operations targeting nuclear facilities in Iran at present

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Larijani’s son Mortaza and head of his security service Sardar Nejad was killed during the same Israeli air force attack

Ukrainian army outraged over Zelensky sharing military intel with King Charles

Former speaker of the Verkhovna Rada and MP Dmitry Razumkov explained that, under the law, sharing photos or videos from the front lines is a treasonous offense

Europe lacks strong leaders, Orban says

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Number of people living in poverty in Russia drops by over 30 mln since 2000 — Putin

The Russian president added that a further reduction of this indicator is planned

Russian troops liberate Aleksandrovka community in Donetsk region over past day

Russia’s Battlegroup West inflicted roughly 180 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed two US-made armored combat vehicles in its area of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

Tankers start crossing Hormuz, White House says

It's a sign of how little Iran has left, Director of the US National Economic Council Kevin Hassett said

Hungary will not participate in war, to which Europe is now preparing — premier

Viktor Orban emphasized that the Ukrainian conflict has not yet been resolved, and the EU leadership is poised to continue it

About 90 ships pass Strait of Hormuz since outset of Middle East escalation — AP

The latest passages through the Strait of Hormuz show the strait was "closed selectively against some traffic, while still functioning for Iranian exports and a narrow set of approved non-Iranian movements"

Losses due to situation with Iran may be up to 2% of global GDP — Russian Foreign Ministry

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No casualties were reported

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Daniel Zimmermann said that the US remains interested in strategic stability and maintaining channels for military deconfliction and de-escalation with Russia, which have for decades reduced the chances of miscalculation between the militaries

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Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, March 18th

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Maria Zakharova recalled that "Russia’s principled position on this issue has been clearly and comprehensively conveyed to the South Korean side through diplomatic channels"

Qatari firefighters still unable to extinguish blaze at Ras Laffan facility

The emirate’s interior ministry said that there were no casualties

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The Iranian army said Rafael’s weapons manufacturing center develops air defense systems such as the Iron Dome, Spike missiles and cyber technologies

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On Tuesday European Council President Antonio Costa demanded that Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban adhere to the decision adopted at the December summit, in which Budapest also participated

Israel attacks Iranian Navy ships in Caspian Sea — TV

The strike targeted an Iranian Navy base in the city of Bandar Anzali

Pentagon seeks additional $200 billion for military campaign in Iran — WP

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The drone detected and subsequently destroyed thousands of enemy targets, including Leopard and Abrams tanks, Bradley infantry fighting vehicles and HIMARS multiple launch rocket systems

Pezeshkian warns US, Israel against strikes on Iran’s energy infrastructure

This will complicate the situation and could have uncontrollable consequences, the scope of which could engulf the entire world, Iranian President said

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Among the companies is Crocus Group of Russian billionaire Aras Agalarov

Orban cites 'economic blackmail' for negative view of Zelensky in Hungary

The reason is that Vladimir Zelensky has requests or demands, which are very much against the interest of the Hungarians, the Hungarian prime minister said

Russian Pacific Fleet's submarine completes deep-sea dive in Japanese waters

The event was conducted as part of scheduled combat training

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US, Israel strike Iran’s main Caspian port Bandar Anzali

No casualties were reported

Attempts to bypass Hungary’s veto to affect future of entire EU — top diplomat

Peter Szijjarto noted that the Germans "do not take no for an answer"

Fire breaks out in Qatari industrial zone following Iranian attack — Interior Ministry

No information has yet been provided regarding which specific facilities were engulfed in flames or whether there were any casualties

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

Iran destroys hangars with US fighter jets at bases in UAE, Bahrain — IRGC

The strikes on US military bases in the Middle East will continue until US forces completely withdraw from them

Iran says it attacked Saudi refinery in Yanbu — TV

By attacking the facility, Iran dealt a blow to an alternative route of the United States bypassing the Strait of Hormuz, the TV channel said

Russia’s trilateral talks with US, Ukraine now paused — Kremlin spokesman

Dmitry Peskov added that the Russian President’s special envoy for economic cooperation with foreign countries Kirill Dmitriev continues his work within the framework of the Russia-US bilateral group

EU may be forced to practically accept potential transfer of Ukrainian territories — Stubb

According to the Finnish president, there is a need for "more flexibility in Europe"

US operation against Iran accelerates energy market redivision — Marine Board Chairman

Colossal environmental damage to the Persian Gulf area was inflicted

US, Israel forced Iran to attack oil and gas infrastructure — IRGC

The Islamic Republic of Iran was not planning to spread the conflict to oil facilities, the IRGC said

Israeli Air Force delivers strike on major Iranian gas processing facility — TV

According to the television broadcaster, this facility accounts for some 40% of Iran's overall gas production

Attack on Iran's gas infrastructure marks new conflict stage — parliament speaker

The enemy is enraged "and wants to cover up its failures on the battlefield," Majlis Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said

IOC needs to stop its 'tricks' and keep sports free from politics — Putin

According to the Russian president, sports should stand out as a beacon for people and the IOC should return to the principles outlined by the founder of the Olympic movement, Pierre de Coubertin

Ukraine to lose conflict due to shortage of soldiers — prisoner

He also added that the Ukrainian military command "feeds its soldiers with promises," assuring them of an imminent rotation in the Sumy region

Mercedes-Benz registers 'Mercedes-Benz' trademark in Russia

The application for registration was filed with the Federal Service for Intellectual Property on September 10, 2025

Russian government approves list of unfriendly countries

There are two countries on the list

Russia urges all parties to conflict around Iran to de-escalate — diplomat

Russia continues to view de-escalation as imperative, along with the swift cessation of destructive hostilities - which most severely affect the civilian populations of both Iran and the Persian Gulf states, Maria Zakharova said

Budget constraints, slowing investment hamper Russia’s economic growth — minister

Maxim Reshetnikov pointed to the main task set by the country’s president — achieving a trajectory of long-term economic growth

EU ban on Russian oil would seriously harm Europe’s economy — Szijjarto

The minister noted that amid a shortage of oil on the global market, Europe would find itself in the most vulnerable position compared to other regions of the world

Russia to continue helping Iran — Foreign Ministry

Maria Zakharova noted that Iran was facing terrible trials

Conflict around Iran to push back global trade system — official

Nikolay Patrushev emphasized that the Strait of Hormuz had been a connecting link for international logistical chains for years

Pakistan temporarily suspends military operation against Afghanistan

In view of the upcoming Islamic festival of Eid-ul-Fitr the Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan has decided to temporarily announce pause amidst the ongoing Operation Ghazab-lil-Haq

Turkey to deploy 1,000 Special Forces at Greek border over refugees situation

The minister noted that Turkey "does not stop migrants who would like to voluntarily cross into Greece"

Hungary’s PM supports Russian participation in European security system

Viktor Orban stressed that Russia should not be pushed out from the European trade and energy system as well

Brent oil price reaches $112 per barrel for first time since March 9, 2025 — trade data

By 3:50 a.m. Moscow time, the futures slowed down their growth trading at $111.84 per barrel

Putin offers condolences to Khamenei over Larijani’s death — Iranian state TV

The Russian leader described Ali Larijani as a wise and forward-thinking politician whom he had met on many occasions

Russian Intl Security Forum to attract up to 5,000 participants — Security Council

More than 180 delegations from foreign states and international organizations have been invited to participate in the forum

Fire breaks out at ship near UAE coast, hit by projectile

The incident occurred incident 11 nautical miles east of Khawr Fakkan

Middle East conflict spills beyond Persian Gulf borders — Russian Maritime Board chief

"One of the striking examples is a US submarine torpedo attack on an Iranian frigate in the Indian Ocean," Nikolay Patrushev said

Saudi Arabia, other Gulf countries to respond to escalation with escalation — top diplomat

Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud accused Iran of resorting to "blackmail aimed at achieving its political goals"

Trump says Israel to refrain from attacking Iran’s South Pars Gas Field

"No more attacks will be made by Israel pertaining to this extremely important and valuable South Pars Field," the US leader said