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Middle East conflict

Israeli army shells southern Lebanon with phosphorus munitions — TV

According to the TV channel, phosphorus shells fell in nearby areas of Alma ash-Shaab and Ad-Doueir, sparking fires in rural areas

BEIRUT, March 23. /TASS/. Israeli army artillery launched white phosphorus munitions near the city of Ras al-Naqoura in southern Lebanon, Al Jadeed reported.

According to its information, phosphorus shells fell in nearby areas of Alma ash-Shaab and Ad-Doueir, sparking fires in rural areas.

Heavy clashes between Israeli special forces and Lebanon’s Shia group Hezbollah units are underway in the western border sector around Ras al-Naqoura. In the morning, Israeli jets carried out air raids on the settlements of Tair Harfa, Hamul, and Al Bayada.

Earlier, Hezbollah fighters carried out armed raids, using grenade launchers to target multiple deployment areas of Israeli troops and armored vehicles that had entered Lebanese territory. No information on casualties has been reported.

Middle East conflict

Conflicting reports on talks, pause in strikes on energy sites: statements from Iran, US

TASS has compiled the main statements by the parties

Trump slams Democratic Party as America’s "greatest enemy"

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries said on Saturday that Trump had not requested a Congress permission for strikes against Iran

Slovenia’s ruling Freedom Movement winning parliamentary elections — exit poll

It received 29.9% of the votes

Top Iranian diplomat demands US, Israel compensate for damage to Iranian nuclear sites

Abbas Araghchi slammed the US and Israeli bombardments of Iranian nuclear facilities as an "act of aggression"

Iran to respond asymmetrically to threats against energy infrastructure

On Saturday, US President Donald Trump said that the United States would destroy a number of Iran’s power plants if the Strait of Hormuz is not fully opened for shipping within 48 hours

Trump’s threats against Iran raise concerns over lack of clear strategy — CNN

According to the publication, if the US president orders an attack on the plants, he is likely to trigger the most intense Iranian reprisals yet, which could pulverize global oil markets

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

Ten of them are in the grave condition

Ukraine attacks Belgorod Region with more than 110 drones over past day

In the city of Graivoron, a man was injured when an FPV drone struck a car

One person killed in attack on Radio Center in Bandar Abbas, southern Iran

Another person was injured, Iranian state television reported

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

Parliamentary elections in Hungary are scheduled for April 12

Missile launched from Iran toward Israel may have landed in Lebanon — Ynet

According to the news portal, such an incident has been recorded for the first time since the start of Israel’s operation against Iran

US leader says ordered five-day delay on strikes against Iranian energy facilities

The US president said that "in-depth, detailed, and constructive conversations" will continue throughout the week

US eyes taking over Strait of Hormuz as final Iran 'endgame' move — media

Such an operation may last "at least weeks," the newspaper reports

Ukraine’s security chief Umerov says progress made in talks with United States

According to Rustem Umerov, the main focus was on reliable security guarantees and the humanitarian track

At least 15 wounded in Iran’s missile attacks on Tel Aviv — medics

According to it, one man was taken to a hospital in condition of medium gravity, 14 others received minor injuries

Houthis reject as fake media reports about joining Iran in Middle East war — source

According to the source, statements of this nature have never been released

FACTBOX: Gasoline price surge, other key details on global market situation

Chinese authorities have announced a rise in retail prices for gasoline and diesel fuel within the country

Many areas of Cuba remain without electricity for a second day after power grid failure

On March 21, Cuba’s national electric power system collapsed

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"

Iran retains drone production capacity despite US, Israeli strikes — expert

Gary Samore, however, doubts that Iran is still able to produce larger, longer-range ballistic missiles because the US and Israel have destroyed or disabled known production facilities

Tourist bus plunges off cliff in Peru, nine people killed

According to the report, 15 people were injured

EU last in line for Russian energy supplies — Putin’s envoy

Kirill Dmitriev commented on a post by the BRICS News account during Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s visit to Russia

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

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

Situation at Bushehr nuclear power plant in Iran difficult, but manageable — Likhachev

Rosatom CEO said that strikes against nuclear power plants should not be allowed, because "there is too much fissile material both in the reactor and in the holding pools and storage facilities"

Three people killed in fire in central Moscow

Four others were injured

Israel conducts another wave of attacks on military targets in Tehran — IDF

In parallel, the IDF struck an additional headquarters of the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence and the emergency headquarters center of the Internal Security Forces

Russia hopes to resume cooperation within Russia-India-China framework — ambassador

Denis Alipov noted that the similarity of Russia and India’s approaches to the regional and international agenda, as well as their pursuit of foreign policy interests in mutual support, is underpinned by traditionally close bilateral cooperation

Serious damage done to Iran’s power supply facilities in US, Israeli attacks — minister

According to the minister, attacks targeted "dozens of water supplies and desalination facilities and destroyed part of the strategic distribution grids"

More US troops dissatisfied with prospects of war with Iran — HuffPost

Military personnel, in particular, believe that a poorly planned operation exposes them to unnecessary danger without any visible strategic benefit

PM Mishustin to hold talks with Vietnam’s prime minister in Moscow

Mikhail Mishustin and Pham Minh Chinh will discuss joint projects between Moscow and Hanoi in energy, industry, transport, agriculture, and other sectors

Sustainable economic growth in Russia must occur with slowing inflation — Putin

"It's not easy, of course, but we must strive for it," the Russian president added

UAE fighter jets intercept cruise missiles launched by Iran — Defense Ministry

The UAE Defense Ministry has not yet provided information on the effectiveness of repelling the Iranian attack

Israeli top brass approves plan of ground operations in Lebanon — IDF

The operation against the Hezbollah terrorist organization has only begun, Eyal Zamir said

Gold futures falls below $4,200 per troy ounce first time since December 9, 2025 — Comex

By 09:48 a.m. Moscow time, gold price was down 8.88%, trading at $4,168.6 per ounce

Russian envoy conveys Putin’s condolences at funeral of Georgian patriarch

Ilia II died on the evening of March 17 at a Tbilisi hospital at the age of 93

Kuwait’s civil aviation authority lodges protest against Iranian attacks with ICAO

Kuwait’s airspace has been closed since February 28

Putin congratulates Kim Jong Un on his re-election

The Russian president stressed that Moscow highly values Kim’s personal contribution to strengthening bilateral ties

Israeli airbase on Mount Meron attacked by Hezbollah

The base on Mount Meron in Upper Galilee has been attacked by kamikaze drones at least four times

Preps for Putin’s visit to China, new Ukraine talks: MFA statements

According to Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko, Moscow is ready for negotiations on the Ukrainian settlement, but no specific dates have been determined yet

US military denies downing of F-15 fighter jet by Iran

The Iranian army said earlier in the day that an F-15 fighter jet had been attacked and shot down near Hormuz Island off Iran’s southern coast

Over 60 UAVs destroyed in Leningrad Region over one day — governor

According to reports, one of the drones damaged a power line tower in the Vyborgsky District as it crashed

Ukrainian people can emerge from geopolitical slaughter only with Russia — expert

Viktor Medvedchuk believes that Ukraine’s neutrality will not be tolerated in the West, and therefore all talk "of some kind of neutrality criminally delays this process"

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

Iran denies possessing intercontinental ballistic missiles — diplomat

According to Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei, the world has grown thoroughly exhausted with such tired and discredited ‘false flag’ storylines

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

Russia’s carrier rocket with Progress MS-33 resupply ship launches to orbital outpost

In about nine minutes after the lift-off, the Progress MS-33 resupply ship separated from the upper stage of the Soyuz-2.1a carrier rocket and entered the designated orbit

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

AfD leaders calls for ending conflict in Ukraine through diplomacy

According to the AfD leader, a realistic variant of a peace agreement should include security guarantees for both parties, as well as the lifting of sanctions, and the establishment of an international fund to restore territories affected by the conflict

Trump earns more in cryptocurrency in one day than he did in real estate in entire life

The trading debut was the biggest financial success for the US president's family since his inauguration

Kiev loses 8,500 troops, mercenaries in special op zone over one week — military expert

Andrey Marochko added that during this period, Russian forces destroyed more than 720 enemy combat vehicles

Ukrainian forces shell DPR settlements four times over past day

Nine residential buildings and five civilian infrastructure facilities were damaged

Ukrainian forces strike Miratorg facility in Bryansk Region, two employees injured

Operational and emergency services are working at the scene, regional Governor Alexander Bogomaz said

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"

Fire in central Moscow extinguished, three people died

Fire and rescue units evacuated 19 people, including five children

Fuel tank fire being extinguished at Primorsk port in Leningrad Region

Personnel have been evacuated, regional Governor Alexander Drozdenko said

Ukraine’s military shells Russia’s borderline Kursk Region over 50 times in past day

Ukrainian drone attacks on Kursk damaged five cars and a private home

Slovenia’s opposition Democratic Party narrowly winning parliamentary elections

The ruling Freedom Movement of Prime Minister Robert Golob is coming second with 28.2% of votes

Russia prioritizes strengthening relations with India — Lavrov

According to the top Russian diplomat, "New Delhi deserves the deepest respect for pursuing an independent foreign policy as part of its course toward strategic autonomy, consistently prioritizing the national interest"

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

Russian troops liberate Potapovka community in Sumy Region over past day

Russian troops struck fuel and energy infrastructure used to support the Ukrainian army’s operations and enemy deployment areas over the past 24 hours, the ministry reported

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

Steve Witkoff stressed that the delegations held constructive meetings

Top Hungarian diplomat’s phone tapped by Ukrainian intelligence — Orban

Peter Szijjarto said he was shocked to learn that his phone was bugged based on a tip from a Hungarian journalist

Brent prices plummeting amid Trump’s statements on talks with Iran

Brent prices lost 14.43% to $96 per barrel first time since March 12, 2026

Airspace of Bahrain and Kuwait to remain closed for 24th consecutive day

The closure of airspace has been extended until 19:00 Moscow time

US diplomat says Pentagon preparing scenarios of deploying troops to Iran

US Permanent Representative to the United Nations Mike Waltz refuted medial allegations about failures in the Pentagon’s military planning as "fake CNN reports"

Gold price falls below $4,450 per troy ounce, first time since February 2, 2026

By 02:00 Moscow time, the precious metal slowed its decline and was trading at $4,504.5 per troy ounce

Russia’s Battlegroup North destroys over 1,000 Ukrainian targets over past week

Troops carried out precision strikes on UAV control centers, ammunition and fuel and lubricant storage depots, river crossing sites, and command posts

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"

Strait of Hormuz closed only for those who violate Iran’s borders — president

The illusion of erasing Iran from the map shows desperation against the will of a history-making nation, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said

Oil price ceiling may be road to disintegration of global energy sector — Putin

It is noted that the oil price ceiling is a non-market instrument

Israel’s air defenses cannot withstand massive Iranian strikes — La Repubblica

Military observer Gianluca Di Feo said that eighty missiles were used to repel the first wave of Iran’s retaliatory strike, with another 50 or so used during the conflict last June

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

Abbas Araghchi says that the strait is open

Iran in no talks with US — media

According to the source, US President Donald Trump decided not to strike Iranian infrastructure because "Iran's military threats have become more convincing"

US lifts sanctions against two Russians — Treasury Department

The restrictions were discontinued for Yury Korzhavin and Lidia Korzhavina

Bosnian Serb leader says plans to attend Victory Parade in Moscow

Milorad Dodik attended celebrations of the 80th anniversary of VE-Day in Moscow in 2025

Iran’s internet outage one of longest on global record — web monitoring service

International connectivity remains unavailable to the general public, while authorities maintain a selective whitelist for global access

US has no good options regarding Iran — The Economist

To almost everyone else it is clear that America entered this war with a "flawed strategy," the article said

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

Iranian army delivers drone strike on Israel’s Ben Gurion airport — media

The Iranian attack largely involved Arash-2 drones that are an advanced and more destructive version of Kian and Arash-1 unmanned aerial vehicles

Iranian authorities announce arrest of group cooperating with Israel

The police also said that the identification and arrest of agents and traitors is ongoing

Japan’s Nikkei index falls by 3.55% at Tokyo market open

Local analysts note that the continuing escalation in the Middle East remains the dominant factor behind the decline in stock prices

Lavrov stresses unacceptability of attacks on Iranian nuclear sites

According to the Russian foreign minister, the strikes are fraught with catastrophic environmental consequences

Ukraine loses 1,275 troops over past 24 hours — Russian Defense Ministry

The Ukrainian army suffered the heaviest losses in the Krasny Liman area, losing a tank, an armored combat vehicle, 20 motor vehicles and four ammunition depots

Fire in port of Primorsk, 249 UAVs: aftermath of attack on Russian regions

An apartment was damaged as a result of drone fragments hitting a multi-story building in the Tver Region

Iran will act 'tit for tat' in conflict with US, Israel — ambassador to Germany

Majid Nili Ahmadabadi stressed that to de-escalate tensions, Iran required "guarantees that the atrocities committed by the US and Israel will not happen again," and called for compensation

Ukrainian embassies recruit Latin American mercenaries for Kiev's army — ex-officer

According to a Colombian prisoner of war, he was promised that he would take part in volunteer work during his stay in Ukraine

Moscow Military District receives new remote-controlled machine gun modules

The Trufel module is designed for remote operation of heavy machine guns and allows for real-time target observation and accurate fire at ranges of up to 2 km

Killings of Iranian leaders to have serious consequences — Kremlin spokesman

The killings of Iranian leaders are the reality that the world lives in, Peskov pointed out, saying he was hopeful that this would not become normality

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

China launches CentiSpace-2 satellite group from Yellow Sea site

The CentiSpace spacecraft are designed to provide augmentation signal services for global navigation satellite systems from low Earth orbit

Iran accuses US of hiding true death toll from aggression against republic

According to the spokesman for the Iranian Khatam-al Anbiya headquarters, Washington is staging a media circus

American threats to strike Bushehr NPP in Iran pose great danger — Kremlin

On March 21, US President Donald Trump announced that the United States would destroy a number of Iran’s power plants if the Strait of Hormuz is not fully reopened to navigation within 48 hours

Europe torn by disagreements but still unwilling to talk with Russia — Peskov

Europe still wants the war in Ukraine to continue and does not know how to pay for it, the Kremlin press secretary said

Russia sends signals to US about danger of strikes on Iran’s Bushehr NPP — Kremlin

On March 21, US President Trump announced that the United States would destroy a number of Iran’s power plants if the Strait of Hormuz is not fully reopened to navigation within 48 hours

Some NATO countries working on measures to ensure security in Strait of Hormuz — Rutte

He also said that he maintains contacts with US leader Donald Trump, despite his criticism of NATO

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

Russia maintains constant contact with IAEA over Bushehr NPP situation — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov added that Rosatom chief Alexey Likhachev has repeatedly made serious statements regarding the strikes that have already been carried out

Situation in Strait of Hormuz to normalize when conflict over Iran ends — Russian MFA

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko said Everything that is happening in the Strait of Hormuz is a direct consequence of this illegal campaign

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

Press review: Washington plans Iran ground move as oil surge adds $41.5B to Russia

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, March 23rd

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