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Middle East conflict

Fire breaks out at Kuwait's Al-Ahmadi oil refinery following drone strike — agency

The Kuna news agency reported that no one was injured in the incident, and firefighters have begun extinguishing the blaze

© AP Photo/ Gustavo Ferrari

DOHA, March 20. /TASS/. A fire broke out at an oil refinery in Kuwait’s port of Al-Ahmadi following a drone strike, the Kuna news agency reported.

"This morning, the Al-Ahmadi oil refinery, owned by the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation, came under a series of hostile drone attacks, resulting in fires at some of its facilities," the agency quoted the company as saying.

It noted that no one was injured in the incident, and firefighters have begun extinguishing the blaze. In addition, operations at several refinery facilities have been suspended.

Middle East conflict

End of Middle East conflict hinges on US political will — UN chief

Antonio Guterres added that Iran has a strategy, which is to resist for as much time as possible and to cause as much harm as possible

US F-35 jet makes emergency landing after being damaged over Iran — TV

This incident represents the first confirmed instance of an American aircraft being struck by Iranian fire since the escalation to full-scale hostilities

FACTBOX: New Kiev attacks on TurkStream and Blue Stream infrastructure

The attacks were repelled through joint efforts of the Russian Defense Ministry and mobile response teams, with no damage to the facilities

Casualty toll from Ukrainian attacks on Russia’s Belgorod Region almost triples in 2026

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Netanyahu denies Israel pushing Trump to launch operation against Iran

The official says that the US president makes his decisions based "on what he thinks is good for America"

Russian government approves list of unfriendly countries

There are two countries on the list

Hungary, Slovakia block EU summit's decision to allocate €90 billion to Ukraine

The European Council will revert to this issue at its next meeting, the three-point final communique stated

Ukrainian army sends Colombians to front lines without actual contracts signed — POW

According to the captive, Colombians are recruited by their compatriots

Russian troops in LPR fix anti-aircraft guns with thermal sights to target drones

The officer explained that the thermal imaging sight can detect drones at altitudes of up to 1,000 meters

UAE announces neutralization of group linked to Hezbollah, Iran

The participants of the group are accused of "money laundering, undermining the economy, and posing a threat to national security"

EU agrees on 90 billion euro loan to Kiev breaking Hungary's veto — Bulgarian radio

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

Number of foreigners involved in terrorist activities in Russia triples — prosecutor

According to Russian Prosecutor General Alexander Gutsan, the answer to these challenges should be the reorganization of public migration administration

Iranian foreign minister says US to burn through trillions in war with Tehran

Abbas Araghchi commented on a Washington Post story saying the Pentagon is looking at requesting $200 billion to continue the operation

Military cooperation between Iran, Russia not directed against third countries — diplomat

Moscow and Tehran have repeatedly rejected allegations of Russia’s use of Iranian drones in Ukraine

Qatar to lose 17% of LNG exports for the period up to five years — Reuters

Two out of fourteen LNG trains and one of two gas-to-liquids plants were damaged as a result of strikes against Ras Laffan industrial area in North Qatar, Energy Minister of Qatar and CEO of QatarEnergy Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi said

Objectives of US-Israel in operation against Iran diverge — US intelligence

The US' objectives have been laid out by President Donald Trump

Netanyahu promised to stop attacks on oil and gas facilities in Iran — Trump

According to the US president, the United States and Israel act independently, but at the same time coordinate their efforts

US accelerates deployment of additional troops to Middle East — TV channel

According to the sources cited by NBC News, at least 2,200 Marines will depart from San Diego for the region in several days

EU summit mum on providing US with military support in conflict with Iran — statement

EU leaders also "condemned Iran’s indiscriminate military strikes" but did not comment on the US and Israeli strikes

Belarus remains Trump’s ally despite US mistakes — President Lukashenko

The Belarusian leader urged the US envoy to convey his perspective to US President Donald Trump

Russian strategic missile subs fully combat-ready — Navy Commander

This was confirmed during inspections and naval exercises under the direction of the Russian President

Russia concerned about US plans for rapid militarization of space — MFA

Maria Zakharova noted that US policy on space exploration and security is becoming increasingly aggressive

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

No casualties were reported

German Federal Bank chief says gold and currency reserves safe in US

"These reserves have a special protection status", Joachim Nagel said

President Putin congratulates Russia’s Paralympic team with 'incredible results'

The Russian Paralympic team was allowed to compete at the 2026 Winter Paralympics under the national flag and to the tune of the country’s anthem for the first time in 12 years amid sanctions

Moscow, Beijing, Ankara ready to help resolve Iran conflict — Russian MFA

The ministry says that the states are ready to find ways to achieve long-term stability "based on respect for the interests of all regional countries"

Events in Middle East will have long-term consequences for energy sector — Gazprom CEO

"Figuratively speaking, the situation on international energy markets and its future dynamics can be described as follows: only the bears are resting, and only the bulls are working hard," Alexey Miller added

Brent oil prices on ICE turn lower after nearly 11% intraday surge

As of 9:05 p.m. Moscow time, Brent was down 0.23% at $107.13 per barrel

Iran strikes several strategic targets in Israel, including oil refineries — IRGC

The strikes were carried out using drones and Ghadr, Emad, Kheibarshekan, and Khorremshahr missiles

Arab governments 'furious' about Israel’s attack on Iranian gas field — newspaper

According to the sources, Gulf officials had "aggressively" lobbied the Washington administration to stop US and Israeli strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure

Russian stock indices decline as main trading session on Moscow Exchange closes

The MOEX Index fell 0.1% to 2,868.99 points, while the dollar-denominated RTS Index fell 2.11% to 1,065.32 points

Zelensky must stay alive so he can be brought to trial — lawmaker

Andrey Kartapolov says Russia wants the whole world to see "whom the former US administration and current European leaders actually supported"

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

Russia’s Battlegroup South inflicted more than 185 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed seven enemy armored combat vehicles in its area of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

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

US-Iran deal still possible — ex-head of US counterterrorism center

According to Joe Kent, statements by the US administration regarding the possibility of exempting Iranian oil from sanctions may indicate Washington’s willingness to end the conflict

IMO Council calls for establishing humanitarian corridor for ships in Persian Gulf

IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez noted that implementation of this initiative requires understanding, commitment and concrete action from all relevant countries, as well as industry representatives and relevant UN agencies

Russia calls for early cessation of hostilities in Middle East — MFA

The ministry says "Moscow is seriously concerned" about the Gulf area confrontation, further escalation risks

Press review: US, Russia may agree on Crimea as US, Israel differ on Iran war

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

Fire breaks out at Kuwait's Al-Ahmadi oil refinery following drone strike — agency

The Kuna news agency reported that no one was injured in the incident, and firefighters have begun extinguishing the blaze

Bank of Russia sets dollar rate at 84.84 rubles for March 20

The official euro rate was increased by 2.25 rubles to 96.9155 rubles

Iran war may hurt Vance’s election prospects — WP

The vice president supported the American leader's decision to launch the military operation, the newspaper noted

Russia's Rosneft stops operations in Venezuela

Russia’s government acquires assets of company in this country

Negotiations with Israel could begin immediately after ceasefire — Lebanese President

The peace initiative Lebanon announced on March 9 remains in effect, Joseph Aoun said

United States no longer in control of its foreign policy — Omani foreign minister

Badr bin Hamad bin Hamoud Al Busaidi expressed hope that America’s commitment to regime change is just rhetorical

Air defenses working near headquarters of Atomic Energy Organization of Iran — TV

No information on damage to the building or casualties is available so far

Russian Tornado-S MLRS maintains 'surgical precision' under electronic warfare — Rostec

The state corporation representatives noted that the system is capable of setting both the flight range and trajectory of each rocket

Netanyahu says Iran now deprived of ability to enrich uranium, produce missiles

The prime minister of Israel emphasizes that "hundreds of launchers" have been destroyed

Russia doesn't need ceasefire so that West can rearm Kiev, restart war — diplomat

"The Kiev junta is digging in its heels, obviously with the support of the Europeans," Georgy Muradov said

Putin says Russia's Paralympians truly inspired at this year's Games

The Russian president recalled that Russia won 12 medals at the Paralympics, including the third-most golds

90 billion euros for Kiev remain blocked, EU to somehow solve this — European Commission

President Ursula von der Leyen promised to send the money "one way or the other"

Oil above $115, strikes on energy facilities mark Middle East conflict

Gas prices on the European exchange at the opening of trading exceeded $850 per 1,000 cubic meters for the first time since December 2022

Iranian forces hit US Al Dhafra base in UAE — state broadcaster

The servicemen used the Khorramshar, Qadr, and Emad missiles for the attacks

Death toll from Israeli attacks on Lebanon exceeds 1,000 — health ministry

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India to buy liquefied petroleum gas from Russia if possible — MFA

India wants "to have a wide range of options," Randhir Jaiswal noted

Israel catalyst of Middle East war — Turkey’s foreign minister

Hakan Fidan also pointed to the undermined global stability

Missile subs Dmitry Donskoy, Knyaz Potemkin to join Russian Navy — commander

They are currently under construction at the Sevmash, part of the United Shipbuilding Corporation, Alexander Moiseyev said

Forthcoming price tsunami to devastate Europe — Dmitriev

The special presidential envoy and chief executive of the Russian Direct Investment Fund said that "it stems from the stubborn strategic stupidity of Russophobes"

US congresswoman reveals 'orchestrated campaign' to sabotage ties with Russia

Anna Paulina Luna still added that Washington is "actively involved in peace talks with Russia and those efforts will not be sabotaged by anyone"

Pentagon becomes increasingly reliant on land-based missiles — WSJ

The newspaper believes that Washington could deploy several additional land-based missile systems on allied territory in the Persian Gulf

Mongolian authorities to reduce import duties for Russian oil products

Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Gongor Damdinnyam initiated amendments to the parliamentary resolution of 1999 'On approval of rates and sizes of customs duties on imported goods'

Iran preparing for a long war as it wants assurances from US, Israel — FT

Tehran seeks to make sure its foes pay a sufficient price so that they think twice before resuming strikes, sources said

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

EU leaders criticize Orban at EU summit — European Council head

Antonio Costa called the Hungarian prime minister’s stance unacceptable

British PM refuses to send warships to Strait of Hormuz — newspaper

According to the sources cited by The Daily Telegraph, the refusal may worsen his relations with the US president

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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In his opinion it would be appropriate to nominate Dmitry Medvedev

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After the June 2025 12-Day War, young specialists at IRGC "were able to create new air defense systems and introduce them into the country’s integrated air defenses," the Iranian armed forces said

US should use ammunition for own purposes, not send it to Kiev — Hegseth

According to the minister, the US will refill its arsenals "faster than anyone imagined"

Project 677 subs deadly to enemy surface ships — Russian Navy commander

Project 677 submarines belong to the fourth generation of diesel-electric submarines and are currently recognized as the most modern and advanced domestic non-nuclear submarines

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

Press review: Canada-EU monitor Russian tankers as Gaza talks resume amid Iran conflict

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, March 19th

Trump refers to Pearl Harbor attack when asked about surprise launch of Iran operation

The US president says he did not inform the allies about the attack "because we wanted surprise"

Moscow expects Russian-Armenian nuclear cooperation to continue — diplomat

Dmitry Litskay, Minister-Counselor of the Russian Embassy in Armenia, noted that the possibility of constructing a new power unit in Armenia is being actively discussed

Russia begins mass production of Vorobey-15 bomber drone

The Spektr Design Bureau noted the drone’s excellent maintainability

Russia extends restrictions on transfers abroad for non-residents from unfriendly states

Restrictions apply to transfers from accounts of both individuals and legal entities opened with Russian brokers and trust managers

US sells Asia three-year record volume of oil amid Iran conflict — Bloomberg

Asian countries have increased purchases of US oil for April delivery to around 60 mln barrels

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

US, Israel carry out over 16,000 strikes on Iranian territory — newspaper

According to the data obtained by The Wall Street Journal, more than 120 Iranian ships were damaged or destroyed

Israeli PM proposes replacing Strait of Hormuz with pipelines through Israel

This transformation of logistics could happen because of the hostilities in the region, Benjamin Netanyahu notes

Kalashnikov Group manufactures batch of Kub-E attack drones for foreign customer

According to the press service, the company’s production capacity allows it to fully meet all domestic customer needs for this munition and export the Kub-E without affecting domestic contracts

Von der Leyen rules out purchases of Russian gas even in event of power outages in EU

The EU will continue the transition to green, European-produced energy, the European Commission president says

Hungary to build gas pipeline with Slovenia to import gas from Italy — Szijjarto

The minister says that the new pipeline is planned to become an energy diversification tool, while Hungary has no plans to leave the existing energy sources or delivery routes

Thousands displaced from border areas in Russia’s Belgorod Region amid Kiev’s attacks

According to an aide to the regional deputy governor, the four years of Ukrainian attacks have made it clear that Kiev’s forces deliberately seek to target civilians

EU leaders cancel press conference with Zelensky in Brussels

The decision was made after the EU summit failed to convince Hungary and Slovakia to lift their veto on allocating €90 billion in military financing to Ukraine

Pentagon needs additional funding from Congress for operations against Iran — Hegseth

The US military expects to receive more than $200 billion

Annual losses of QatarEnergy from Iran strikes may amount to $20 bln — Reuters

The company may declare force majeure under the long-term contracts of LNG supplies to Italy, Belgium, South Korea and China

Belgian PM says only Europe finances Ukrainian conflict

Bart De Wever believes that the EU should increase pressure on Russia

Belarusian president pardons 250 convicts for humanitarian reasons — agency

They were convicted of extremism-related crimes

Russian auto market descends to sixth position in Europe in February 2026

In February 2026, 80,027 new cars were sold in Russia

End of Middle East conflict hinges on US political will — UN chief

Antonio Guterres added that Iran has a strategy, which is to resist for as much time as possible and to cause as much harm as possible

UK exempts Rosneft’s transport of Kazakh crude from sanctions — document

The sanctions exemption is valid until March 18, 2028

5-kW nuclear power plant to be landed on Moon by mid-2030s — Rosatom CEO

The plant will have an operating life of up to 10 years

Several countries express readiness to help ensure safe navigation in Strait of Hormuz

They also expressed their deep concern about the escalating conflict

Dmitriev calls strike on Iran’s South Pars gas field tipping point

According to US President Donald Trump, only a small portion of the field’s facilities were damaged

Meloni stuns EU leaders by saying she understands Orban’s veto on Ukraine — Politico

At the same time, the Italian prime minister supports the allocation of €90 billion to Kiev

Russia will never view Zelensky as legal negotiating party — Medvedev

Vladimir Zelensky will not be a party to sign an act of surrender, Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev said

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

Israel doesn't want world to know about IDF war crimes — war correspondent

According to Christelle Neant, Israel has long had a problematic relationship with the truth

Trump says visit to China postponed by six weeks

The US president said he would praise Japan when he was in China with President Xi Jinping

Hungary legally blocks EU’s 90-billion-euro loan to Ukraine — Orban

The prime minister says the decision-making on the loan has not been finalized, while the Ukrainians have imposed "an oil blockade on Hungary"

Russia obliged to strike country potentially transferring nukes to Kiev — lawmaker

Andrey Kartapolov says the transfer of nuclear weapons to Ukraine would constitute a violation of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons