{{dayPoint.date | date : 'd MMMM yyyy'}}

{{newsPoint.title}}

{{newsPoint.title+ ' '}}

{{newsPoint.subtitle}}

Japan allows use of troops for potential mine clearance in Hormuz Strait

This option may only be considered if the ceasefire is established there, Japan Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said

TOKYO, March 22. /TASS/. The Japanese government allows a scenario where the Self-Defense Forces of the country can be used for mine clearance in the Strait of Hormuz where mines were allegedly laid by Iran, Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said.

This option may only be considered if the ceasefire is established there. "If mines are an obstacle [for navigation], then the possibility [of sending military units] will have to be considered," he said on the air with Fuji TV.

Tags

New Development Bank to support growth of BRICS countries — President

These include investment in infrastructure, energy transition, digital transformation, human development, and connectivity, as well as the expansion of local goods, NDB President Dilma Rousseff said

Prime Ministers of India, North Europe call for cessation of hostilities in Ukraine

The statement points out that the modern global order has been built on the UN Charter, international law and respect for sovereignty and the territorial integrity of states

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

Iran warns of retaliatory strikes against US infrastructural facilities in Middle East

The relevant statement was made by the General Staff of the Iranian armed forces

Russian military police set up additional post in Golan Heights area

Major General Yury Popov noted that monitoring of compliance with the regime of compliance with work actions between windows is carried out

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

Rosneft surpasses ExxonMobil in global oil companies rating

Other corporations in the top ten are Chevron, Gazprom and PDVSA (tied), Shell and ADNOC

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"

Kiev should seek peace as Ukraine is weaker than Russia, says Hungarian official

Рead of the Hungarian Prime Minister’s Office Gergely Gulyas believes that "most Ukrainians share this view"

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

Number of people injured in shelling of Israel’s Arad increases to 88

Ten of them are in the grave condition

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 defense firm delivers regiment set of S-400 systems ahead of schedule

Upon its delivery to Russia’s Defense Ministry, the military hardware was tested at the proving ground

Japan allows use of troops for potential mine clearance in Hormuz Strait

This option may only be considered if the ceasefire is established there, Japan Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said

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 must stop attacks on Iran to restore navigation in Hormuz Strait — top diplomat

On March 2, Major General Ebrahim Jabari of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned that the Strait of Hormuz, through which approximately one-fifth of the world's oil exports passes, would be closed to shipping due to Israeli and US military action against Iran

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

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

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

Russian defense ministry reports losses among Russian troops during special operation

Konashenkov also said that several Russian soldiers have been taken prisoner

Explosions sound in Kiev-controlled city of Zaporozhye

Meanwhile, an explosion has occurred in the city of Sumy in northern Ukraine

Moscow's envoy expects EU countries to join line for Russian energy

Thus Kirill Dmitriev commented on apost by economist Christophe Barraud, which listed the measures that EU countries are taking to contain rising energy prices

Twenty-five Ukrainian drones destroyed in Russian regions

The drones were fixed-wing type

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

Attempts of drone strikes against three compressor stations were recorded

China’s GDP to reach $25.39 bln in 2030 — PM

According to the estimate of Chinese authorities, the annual GDP indicator of the country should grow by more than $4.35 trillion during the 15th five-year period from 2026 to 2030

Participants in Sir Bani Yas forum in UAE understand causes of Ukrainian crisis — Lavrov

The Russian foreign minister arrived in Abu Dhabi to take part in the Sir Bani Yas international peace and security forum and has already held a series of bilateral meetings

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

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

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

Almost 40 people injured in attack on host city of Israeli nuclear facility

There is a child among those injured, who is in serious condition

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

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"

Top Turkish diplomat expects Gulf war to last for another 2-3 weeks

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan added that "talks are unlikely to take place as long as the war continues"

March of 2026 may be the sunniest in history — weather expert

Lead expert of the Russian Hydrometeorological Center Marina Makarova pointed out that the Sun shines almost every day in March

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

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

Russia’s Armed Forces hit over 2,200 Ukraine’s military targets, top brass says

On March 6, the Ukrainian Starokonstantinovo military airfield was disabled with high-precision weapons

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

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

Iran informs IAEA of strike on Natanz facility, no leaks recorded — statement

Earlier, the Tasnim agency reported that US and Israeli forces had attacked the Iranian nuclear facility in Natanz, and no leaks of radioactive materials were recorded

Russia successfully test-fires new ABM interceptor missile

An interceptor missile develops a speed of over 3 km/s or more than four times the speed of a Kalashnikov assault rifle’s bullet, according to the general

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

US administration starts discussing opportunity of peace talks with Iran — Axios

Washington expects that combat operations will last for two - three weeks more

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

Abbas Araghchi says that the strait is open

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

Chinese market soar by 300 times over last 40 years — PM

Retail sales in China hit $7.25 trillion in 2025

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

US lifts sanctions against two Russians — Treasury Department

The restrictions were discontinued for Yury Korzhavin and Lidia Korzhavina

Ukrainian strike kills two people, leaves one injured in Russia’s Belgorod Region

According to the regional governor, the attack destroyed the social facility and a nearby commercial site

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

Parliamentary elections in Hungary are scheduled for April 12

Putin signs law to extend free public housing privatization until March 2015

The law enters into force from the day of its official publication

Slovenia to engage armed forces in fuel transportation

Prime Minister Robert Golob noted that the country's authorities will introduce a limit for fuel purchases totaling 50 liters for individuals and 200 liters for legal entities

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

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

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

Russian Defense Ministry warns about strikes being prepared on military sites in Kiev

In order to thwart informational attacks against Russia, Russian forces will strike technological objects of the SBU and the 72nd Main PSO Center, the ministry informed

Trump to rely on forces that brought him to power — Russian presidential aide

Nikolay Patrushev agreed that Trump, when he was still a candidate, "made many statements critical of the destructive foreign and domestic policies pursued by the current administration"

Qatari army helicopter crushed at sea due to technical failure — Defense Ministry

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

Islamic Resistance in Iraq said it attacked another US plane

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq movement says the crew escaped

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’s absence from OPCW Executive Council weakens Convention — senator

Russia received 65 votes against the required minimum of 66 votes

Four injured in fuel tanker accident in Russia’s Rostov Region hospitalized

The regional Emergencies Ministry press service earlier reported that three people died and four were injured when a fuel tanker collided with four passenger cars on the R-280 highway in the Rostov region’s Neklinovsky district

Russian company develops Strela multipurpose car family for Armed Forces

Currently, the line includes six vehicles, two of which - a base armored car and an amphibious armored car - are ready, the company said

Kremlin Spokesman’s words of energy crisis in Europe resonate with Europeans — news portal

Dmitry Peskov said on March 20 that the EU member-countries continue "shooting in the leg of their voters" by rejecting Russian energy resources

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 Development Bank to support growth of BRICS countries — President

These include investment in infrastructure, energy transition, digital transformation, human development, and connectivity, as well as the expansion of local goods, NDB President Dilma Rousseff said

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"

Standoff with Israel enters new phase after attack against Dimona

Speaker of the Parliament of Iran Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf also emphasized that the Israeli airspace is not protected

Energy supply disruptions caused by Iran conflict may last for years — media

According to the news outlet, any swift ceasefire or arrangement allowing safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz won't undo supply shocks

Consultations between the US, Ukraine dedicated to settlement issues — special envoy

Steve Witkoff stressed that the delegations held constructive meetings

US intel agencies see no sign of Iranian government’s 'imminent collapse' — media

The media outlet notes that the Washington administration "is still working to assess who is actually in charge in Tehran"

IAEA receives no indication of damage to Israeli nuclear research center — statement

The IAEA also added that information from regional states indicates that no abnormal radiation levels have been detected

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

Ukrainian drone strike kills civilian in Russia’s borderline Bryansk Region

The attack also damaged a household building and a tractor

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

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"

Trump tells people to stay tuned on Cuba — TV

The US President refused to disclose his future plans on Cuba

Putin, Belarusian president discuss global issues, bilateral cooperation in phone call

According to the Belarusian news agency BelTA, the two leaders touched upon the implementation of joint projects

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"

Cuban power grid suffers blackout again

The prior blackout occurred in Cuba on March 16

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

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

Iranian officials have not commented on the report

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

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

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

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

Argentina can provide for European energy security — President

Javier Milei added that Argentina has enough oil and gas reserves to become a reliable provider for European countries

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

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

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

The detainee said he understood his actions were illegal

Russian UN mission points to West’s calls for dissolution of Russia

"The most ardent of the new EU members seem to want to find an ultimate solution to the Russian problem," First Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations claims

Russian gas exports to Europe via TurkStream hit record high in January

Supplies via the TurkStream gas pipeline to European countries in January increased by 2% compared to December 2024 and jumped by 27% compared to January 2024 to 1.56 bln cubic meters

Israel strikes Tehran facility allegedly involved in nuclear weapons development — army

Iran’s authorities have repeatedly denied allegations that the country has a program to create nuclear weapons

Russia's latest radar aircraft performs debut flight

According to the designer, during the first flight "were tested the aerodynamics characteristics, the aircraft’s avionics and elements of the radio-technical complex"

Ukrainian, US delegations to continue talks on March 22, Zelensky says

The US was represented by Special Presidential Envoy Steve Witkoff and Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, Vladimir Zelensky said

Protests in France an internal affair of that country, says Putin

The President of Russia commented on the protests against pension reform in France

At least 3 dead, 4 injured in collision between fuel tanker, 4 cars in Russia

The tanker caught fire over an area of 200 square meters

Israeli Air Force did not attack Iran’s Natanz nuclear facility — army source

Earlier, Iran notified the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that its Natanz nuclear site had been attacked

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

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