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US strikes more than 8,000 targets in Iran, including 130 ships — Pentagon

Cooper also noted that "US forces maintain air superiority over Iran's skies, having now flown over 8,000 combat flights"

NEW YORK, March 21. /TASS/. The US Armed Forces have struck more than 8,000 targets in Iran since the beginning of the Middle East conflict, including 130 ships, the head of the US Central Command (CENTCOM), Admiral Brad Cooper, stated.

"We've struck over 8,000 military targets including 130 Iranian vessels, constituting largest elimination of a navy over a three week period since WWII," he said in a video address posted on social media X.

Cooper also noted that "US forces maintain air superiority over Iran's skies, having now flown over 8,000 combat flights.".

US-Israeli strikes on Iran

Israel carries out strikes on missile production facilities in Tehran — army statement

According to the IDF, dozens of targets were hit, including a central compound of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps

Czech State Security Council convenes over suspected terrorist attack — portal

According to Czech Interior Minister Lubomir Metnar, the fire at a plant in the city of Pardubice, where drone production was planned, is being investigated as a possible terrorist attack

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

UN chief's Crimea stance driven by 'burning desire' to please US — Medvedev, Medvedchuk

Today’s UN often acts in the interests of individual countries in the collective West, Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council, and Viktor Medvedchuk, ex-leader of the Opposition Platform for Life party banned in Ukraine, said

Central Israel comes under new missile fire from Iran, explosions heard in Tel Aviv area

An air alert was declared in many areas of the center of the country, with sirens sounding, including in Tel Aviv and its suburbs, a TASS correspondent reported

EU has no Plan B to provide 90 billion euro loan to Kiev — Polish PM

Donald Tusk attributed Budapest’s position to the upcoming parliamentary elections, set for April 12

Russia thwarted new Kiev’s attacks against Black Sea gas pipelines

Attempts of drone strikes against three compressor stations were recorded

Magnetic storm that began yesterday on Earth becomes strongest over past 2 months

Scientists explained that the geomagnetic situation will fully normalize on March 24

Russia begins mass production of Vorobey-15 bomber drone

The Spektr Design Bureau noted the drone’s excellent maintainability

Ukraine expects US to set clear timeframe for next trilateral meeting

According to Vladimir Zelensky, the upcoming bilateral meeting will discuss the PURL initiative that enables NATO allies to purchase US weapons for Kiev, as well as Ukraine-US relations and an agreement on the joint production of unmanned aerial vehicles

Over 230 US service members wounded since start of Iran conflict — media

According to a US official cited by ABC News, most of them sustained traumatic brain injuries

US lifts sanctions against two Russians — Treasury Department

The restrictions were discontinued for Yury Korzhavin and Lidia Korzhavina

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"

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

IN BRIEF: On fighting high inflation, key rate policy — Central Bank highlights

The further path of the key rate will be adjusted in April, if necessary, Elvira Nabiullina said

European companies buy Russian oil and gas despite Brussels’ policy — Orban

Viktor Orban stressed that, unlike other countries, "Hungary is doing this openly and considers it the right policy"

Hezbollah fires ten missile at Karmiel in northern Israel

Another Hezbollah target was an Israeli army camp in the settlement of Rosh Pinna in Upper Galilee

Switzerland suspends weapons exports to US due to Iran conflict

The country also refrained from issuing "licenses for the export of military equipment to Israel" and Iran for several years

Press review: US weighs Iran assault as Middle East war disrupts Kiev air defenses

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, March 20th

EU powerless to stop Middle East conflict — Slovak PM

According to Robert Fico, the bloc needs strong leaders and a pragmatic foreign policy

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

Ten people killed, 59 injured in fire at South Korean auto parts plant

Four people remain missing

Capitalization of global airlines loses $53 bln due to situation around Iran — FT

The article says that investors expect the share price decrease to continue

Iran may demand security guarantees involving Russia, China — expert

Alberto Bradanini, former Italian Ambassador to Tehran and Beijing, emphasized that if the US truly wishes to end this conflict, a compromise must be reached

Russian stock market closed mixed on Friday

The MOEX Russia Index dropped by 0.14% to 2,864.89 points, while the RTS Index gained 0.86% to 1,074.43 points

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

Pushkin Museum to put Titian, Tintoretto and Veronese on display in Moscow for first time

The exhibit opens its doors on June 9 and runs through to August 20

Czech PM’s plane turns back to Prague amid reports of terrorist attack in country

Babis convened a meeting of the State Security Council on the evening of March 20 in connection with a suspected terrorist attack in the industrial zone of the city of Pardubice, where, among other tenants, the Czech arms company LPP Holding is located

Belarus ready to sell mine to the US for minimum $3 bln — president

Alexander Lukashenko said earlier that he had offered potash and oil to the US side

Hungary's Orban says won't approve new EU budget until funds released from previous one

The Hungarian prime minister also warned that he would not support the European Commission's proposed EU budget for 2028-2034, as it includes excessively large allocations for aid to Ukraine

Another couple of weeks of US operation in Iran to exceed cost of Iraq invasion — media

Newsweek points out that George W. Bush requested $74.7 billion from Congress to cover initial costs of the Iraq campaign, which, adjusted for inflation, would be worth about $133 billion today

Belarusian leader says working on 'major agreement' with US

Alexander Lukashenko added that the agenda of talks with the US also covered the potential resumption of the US embassy’s operations in Minsk and the issue of nuclear materials

Ukraine’s population down to 20 mln people by 2025 — British journalist

Will Lloyd says that in 2014, the population was estimated at "just over 40 million"

Iran has no tankers at sea, no surplus of oil to export — ministry

The statement was made in response to an option proposed by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent of lifting sanctions on Iranian oil already loaded into tankers

Two more Russian Paralympians added to Mirotvorets extremist database

The Russian national team finished third in the medal standings at the Paralympic Games in Italy

Russian envoy dismisses report of Moscow proposing intelligence deal to US as fake news

Politico claimed earlier that "Moscow proposed a quid pro quo to the US under which the Kremlin would stop sharing intelligence information with Iran if the US ceased supplying Ukraine with intel about Russia"

UN could help resolve shipping issue in Strait of Hormuz — Secretary-General

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

US actor Chuck Norris dies at age 86

Earlier this week, the actor was hospitalized on the island of Kauai in the state of Hawaii

Iran confirms attack on Diego Garcia island with ballistic missiles

According to its information, this launch demonstrates a "significant step" in the confrontation with the United States

NATO evacuates its mission from Iraq to Europe

General Alexus Grynkewich, Supreme Allied Commander Europe, added that NATO Mission Iraq, a non-combat advisory and capability-building mission to assist Iraq in building its own army, will continue from Joint Force Command Naples

Ex-head of breakaway Kiev Patriarchate Orthodox Church died at age of 97

Filaret was hospitalized in Kiev on March 9 in connection with the worsened health condition

Consequences of US-Israeli aggression against Iran to last for long time — Lavrov

According to the top Russian diplomat, although some say that this time, history is being repeated as a farce, "it’s far from being a farce"

Iran has enough missiles, drones for at least 2-3 months — Chinese expert

According to Hu Bo, Iran’s stock of ballistic missiles has likely fallen to below 1,000 units, based on open-source intelligence

US, Israel threaten to drag Caspian nations into conflict around Iran — Russian diplomat

According to Maria Zakharova, Moscow is growing increasingly concerned over the expanding geography of the US and Israeli airstrikes in Iran

US moving amphibious ready group with 4,500 sailors, Marines to Middle East — TV

According to the officials cited by Fox News, it will take about a month for the task force to reach the Middle East

Iran attacks central Israel, explosion heard near Tel Aviv

The alerts followed a military warning about new missile strikes from Iran

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

Battlegroup North units took control of the settlement of Sopych in the Sumy Region and units of Battlegroups West, South and Center liberated the settlements of Aleksandrovka, Kaleniki, Fyodorovka Vtoraya and Pavlovka in the DPR

Russia and Serbia preparing five-year economic cooperation program — ministry

The comprehensive document will cover all areas of interaction

Three Russian airplanes to undergo certification this year

The PD-8 engine designed for SJ-100 jets will undergo certification in April 2026

US releases first 42.5 mln of 172 mln barrels of oil from its strategic reserve

The Department of Energy expects the companies that receive the oil to replenish it by a total of 55 mln barrels

Russian security service detains entrepreneur who registered 1,000 SIM cards for Kiev

The FSB noted that to maintain anonymity and conceal financial transactions, all funds were transferred to the perpetrator via cryptocurrency wallets he created

Guterres's remarks on Crimea and Donbass inappropriate — Medvedev and Medvedchuk

"His words were dictated by a cowardly desire to side with the collective West, and primarily with the countries of the European Union, in the conflict with Russia," Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev and Viktor Medvedchuk, former leader of Ukraine’s banned Opposition Platform - For Life party, said

US puts Middle Eastern countries in danger instead of protecting them — Iranian MFA

Abbas Araghchi says the leaders of Muslim states "should clearly express their rejection of aggression not just in word, but in action"

Value of Russian pipeline gas imports to China falls 8% in January - February

Russia ranks first among exporters of pipeline gas to China by this indicator

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

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

Attack against Iran’s Bandar-e Anzali affected Russian economic interests

The Iranian port of Anzali on the Caspian Sea was bombed on March 18

Fragment of Iranian missile fell in Old City of Jerusalem, causing damage — Israeli MFA

According to the press service of the Israeli Foreign Ministry, the projectile fell "literally a few hundred meters from the Al-Aqsa Mosque"

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

Trump tells people to stay tuned on Cuba — TV

The US President refused to disclose his future plans on Cuba

Around 90 drones downed over Russia’s Rostov Region overnight — governor

Drone danger remains in the region

IRGC announces 70th wave of missile strikes on Israel, US bases in region

The attack was aimed at more than 55 targets, according to the report

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

EU leaders no longer protect European interests, instead fulfill Ukraine’s demands — Orban

Orban accused Brussels of withholding EU funds and Ukraine of blocking oil supplies via the Druzhba pipeline to pressure Hungary

Trump, US feel EU betrayed them on Iran — Lukashenko

As the Belarusian president noted, the US helped the Europeans both with NATO and economically

Lukashenko believes Russia will dictate gas supply terms to Europe

The Belarusian leader emphasized that Russia’s "resource base" remained the best option for the EU

Hungary sticks to its guns on oil, Ukraine at EU summit — Orban

If there is no oil for Hungary, there will be no money for Ukraine, the Hungarian prime minister said

Nineteen UAVs destroyed while approaching Moscow over past hour

Emergency services are working at the site of the crashed debris

Intensity of Israeli-US attacks on Iran to increase drastically — Israeli defense minister

The Israel Defense Forces are strong, and the Israeli home front is strong, and we will not stop until all military goals are achieved, Katz added

US to secure access to global markets for 140 mln barrels of Iranian oil

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says that the general license will help to relieve the temporary pressures on markets caused by Iran

US leader says he hopes Orban ‘wins big’ in upcoming parliamentary election in Hungary

Parliamentary elections in Hungary are scheduled for April 12

Israel’s strikes on Tehran target Iranian Police Chief — TV

Iranian officials have not commented on the report

Private plane crashes in Moscow Region killing two people

The Federal Air Transport Agency classified the event as a disaster, and the Interstate Aviation Committee, in coordination with the Central Federal Aviation Administration, will look into its causes

Lukoil recognizes $19.6 bln loss on foreign asset disposal — report

The Lukoil International Group represents a discontinued operation as it is a separate major line of business

Lukashenko promises not to supply missiles to Iran during conflict

The Belarusian leader noted that Tehran had never never asked Minsk for missiles

Rostec delivers batch of Pantsir-S air defense systems to troops

The press service said the combat vehicles passed the required trials and were accepted by the military

Putin congratulates heads of CIS countries, Iranian leaders on Islamic holiday of Nowruz

International Nowruz Day, established by the United Nations in 2010, is celebrated on March 21, marking the vernal equinox and the beginning of the new year for Iranian and Turkic peoples

IRGC announces start of 71st wave of attacks on Israel, US regional bases

In a statement released by the Mehr agency, the IRGC declared that the strikes are targeting Tel Aviv, the US military bases Ali Al Salem in Kuwait and Al Kharij in Saudi Arabia

Most UN member states can be considered self-proclaimed — Medvedev and Medvedchuk

They emerged through the exercise of their inherent right to self-determination, Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev and Viktor Medvedchuk, former leader of the Opposition Platform - For Life party, said

Moldovan parliament approves in 1st reading withdrawal from agreement on establishing CIS

It that was signed in Minsk on December 8, 1991

Iran’s late supreme leader repeatedly warned against nuke development — president

Ali Khamenei emphasized that nuclear weapons were prohibited for religious reasons

Indian court shuts down hungry husband seeking to divorce wife who doesn't cook for him

The court ruled that the refusal to do chores by a wife does not constitute "cruelty"

Israel conducts two waves of attacks on military targets in Iran

Among the targets were "several factories and sites used by the Iranian regime to produce weapons intended to harm the State of Israel and other countries" and sites holding components for long-range ballistic missiles

Headquarters of Iraqi intelligence service in Baghdad hit by drone strike — TV

According to their information, the drone was targeting the headquarters located in the prestigious Mansour district in western Baghdad

Russia Northern Fleet’s Admiral Golovko frigate performs torpedo firing in Barents Sea

The Russian Northern Fleet’s press service reported that the exercise was conducted to test the ship's anti-submarine crew cohesion

French Navy detains Mozambique-flagged Denya tanker en route from Russia

According to the Mediterranean maritime prefecture, the operation was conducted jointly with France’s allies, including the United Kingdom, which took part in tracking the ship, in conformity with Article 110 of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea

Iran warns of possible attack on Ras al-Khaimah if UAE attacks its islands

The General Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces says that it "would attack the source of any aggression against the territory and national sovereignty of the Islamic Republic"

Ship disguised as broken vessel passed through Strait of Hormuz — agency

According to its information, the Jamal first appeared on radar on March 13 in the Gulf of Oman, with its previous location remaining unknown

Entrepreneur detained in Mordovia admits guilt in working for Ukraine — FSB

The detainee said he understood his actions were illegal

Alliance between Russia, Tajikistan strengthens security in Central Asia — Putin

Putin also wished Rahmon good health and success, and all citizens of Tajikistan well-being and prosperity

Russian tank crews destroy at least two enemy targets per mission — serviceman

The commander of a tank crew the separate Novorossiysk Airborne Division noted that drones greatly assist tanks during combat operations

US authorizes operations with Iranian oil for one month — Treasury Department

The sale, delivery, and unloading of oil and petroleum products are allowed until midnight on April 19

Trump admits possibility of quick end to operation against Iran

The US president says that Washington is "very close" to meeting its goals in the Middle East

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

Press review: US tries to assemble Hormuz tanker coalition as Russia eyes new fuel markets

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, March 16th

US lawmaker accuses Politico of trying to worsen relations between Russia, US

On March 11, Dmitriev held a meeting with representatives of the US administration in Florida

Lukashenko says Melania Trump asked him to appeal to Putin about Ukrainian children

The Belarusian president said that Vladimir Zelenshy didn not care about these kids

Russian T-72B3 tanks significantly outmatch foreign counterparts — gunner

According to the serviceman, the Russian tank is much more reliable and its powerful 125mm gun is more accurate compared to its foreign counterparts

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

Air defenses down another drone heading towards Moscow

Emergency personnel are working at the site where debris fell, Sergey Sobyanin said

Russian air defense forces down 668 Ukrainian drones over past day

According to the ministry, the Russian military also downed 9 guided aerial bombs and struck Ukrainian energy and transport infrastructure used by the Ukrainian armed forces, hitting UAV control points and temporary deployment points of Ukrainian formations and foreign mercenaries in 137 areas

Iran ready to allow Japanese ships to pass through Strait of Hormuz — foreign minister

Abbas Araghchi says that the strait is open