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US-Israeli strikes on Iran

US awaits Iran’s response on potential peace talks on March 26 — media

According to sources cited by Axios, if the plans for the negotiations are confirmed, US Vice President JD Vance will likely attend

WASHINGTON, March 24. /TASS/. The United States and mediator countries are waiting for Iran’s response on potential high-level talks on ending the Middle East conflict on March 26, the Axios portal said, citing sources.

According to the portal, the United States and "a group of regional mediators are discussing the possibility of holding high-level peace talks with Iran as soon as Thursday, but are still waiting for a response from Tehran." "If the plans for a summit firm up, Vice President [JD] Vance is likely to be involved," it added.

Meanwhile, the sources told Axios that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is afraid that US President Donald Trump "might strike a deal [with Tehran] that falls well short of Israel's objectives, includes significant concessions, and limits Israel's ability to conduct strikes against Iran."

US-Israeli strikes on Iran

Israel strikes Iran’s largest explosives production facility in Isfahan

Besides, the Israeli Air Force attacked "dozens" of Iranian facilities during the day, including ballistic missile launching sites, weapons production sites, and air defense systems

Russian Black Sea Fleet sub to return to combat patrols off Syria in July

TASS has no official confirmation of the information yet

FSB seizes shipment of shoe insoles rigged with explosives destined for special op zone

A Ukrainian handler ordered a foreign national to receive a shipment of 504 improvised explosive devices disguised as heated shoe insoles through a logistics company in Moscow

Russian-language TV channel launched in China

The new TV channel will broadcast mostly movies and documentaries

Delays with Dragon destroyer reveals uselessness of UK’s military ‘umbrella’ — diplomat

Ambassador Andrey Kelin says countries of the region expect protection for allowing London to deploy military facilities

Russia to remember feats of North Korean troops in Kursk region — top diplomat

Sergey Lavrov said "those feats will certainly strengthen further the ties of friendship and historical solidarity in our joint fight for justice"

US cannot achieve regime change in Iran — Italian expert

Michele Geraci noted that Iran had a system of power distribution and control that was very difficult to dismantle

Qatar Energy declares force majeure on LNG supply Contracts to four countries

The company noted that specialists are currently assessing the damage and the timeframe for repairs to facilities, as well as the impact of the damage on its operations

Chinese army to hold military exercise in South China Sea on April 27

The Administration provided a list of coordinates, where presence of ships and vessels not involved in the exercise will be prohibited

North Atlantic at risk as Ireland, UK align against Moscow — Russian envoy

Yury Filatov said that it will be taken into account in Russia's military planning

Russia’s Finance Ministry drafting bill to maintain online shareholders meetings

The possibility will be there not only during crisis years, but in the future as well, according to the deputy finance minister

Israel strikes Iran’s largest explosives production facility in Isfahan

Besides, the Israeli Air Force attacked "dozens" of Iranian facilities during the day, including ballistic missile launching sites, weapons production sites, and air defense systems

Trump says, Vance, Rubio, Witkoff engaged in talks with Iran

And the other side, I can tell you, they'd like to make a deal, he said

Tourist flow from Russia to Vietnam triples in 2025

Russia is among the top five foreign countries by the number of tourist trips to Vietnam

Ukrainian drone downed over Bryansk Region — governor

No injuries or damage was caused

About 3,500 Russians injured or killed by Ukrainian drone attacks in 2025 — diplomat

The number includes about 200 children

NATO confirms fact that it wages proxy war on Russia — DPR's acting head

Denis Pushilin added that Western politicians are increasingly allowing themselves to make aggressive statements towards Russia

Russia calls on Arab countries to show wisdom amid regional challenges — MFA

Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Alimov underscored Russia’s keen interest in bolstering the League’s role in resolving regional issues

Today's global conflicts make it look like WWIII has started already: Lavrov’s remarks

According to the Russian top diplomat, developments in Latin America and the Middle East are a direct result of the West’s attempts to preserve the remnants of its dominance

Russian, Chinese Navy warships make port call in Kamchatka to replenish stocks

The fleet emphasized that the patrol's primary objectives include enhancing naval cooperation between Russia and China, maintaining peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region, as well as conducting maritime surveillance

Russia’s new state armament program may focus on autonomous weapons

Fixed capital investment in Hainan Province up 7.4% in January — March

Investment in infrastructure development increased by 8.9% year-on-year

Japanese serviceman storms Chinese embassy in Tokyo, threatens diplomats — Chinese MFA

According to the embassy’s statement, the perpetrator, who claimed to be an officer of Japan’s Self-Defense Forces, climbed over the fence and forced his way onto the premises of the diplomatic mission

Israel must not be allowed to derail settlement of Iran conflict — Erdogan

The Turkish leader stressed that the conflict launched against Iran was "Israel’s war, but the whole world is paying the price"

Iran’s IRGC confirms delivering missile strikes on Dimona, Eilat in Israel, US army bases

The names of the military bases affected by the attack were not disclosed

Italy’s NATO, EU allies unable to help it combat Covid epidemic - Russian defense ministry

Russian Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin recalled that after Russia had sent its military specialists to help Italy a number of countries "resorted to unfair methods, such as political blackmailing and accusing of espionage"

Trump trapped in Iranian crisis, with no good options to get out — TV

Presidents often are faced with crises with no good solution, but few find themselves in a dead-end situation that Trump has driven himself into, the TV channel noted

Russian forces eliminate BM-21 Grad MLRS on Kherson direction — Defense Ministry

According to the Ministry Spokesman, Russian forces also eliminated an ammunition depot near the settlement of Tokaryovka, Kherson Region

Russia’s Defense Minister gives start to Baikal-Amur railway upgrade

"Transport capabilities of Eastern Siberia will be expanded by the end of 2024 after the railway comes into service," Sergey Shoigu pointed out

Kiev needs to sign ‘capitulation documents’ to end Ukraine conflict — Russian MFA

Maria Zakharova stressed that any conflict was concluded by an agreement

EU makes mistake refusing to invite Damascus to donor conference — Russian envoy

A two-day international donor conference on Syria, which opened in Brussels on April 24, involves representatives of more than 85 countries and organizations

Trump asserts power shift in Iran already took place

The US president said, referring to the new leaders of the country, that he would "see how they turn out"

Putin to award prizes to young cultural workers today

The president will also take part in a meeting of the Cultural Council via videoconference

US says it can take Kharg 'any time it wants,' but keeping it is another story — expert

Alexander Kharchenko noted that "Iran will not accept this painful blow and will actively use drones and ballistic missiles"

About 25 new brands may enter Russian market this year — analysts

According to analysts, since the beginning of 2026 not a single new brand has entered the Russian market, while seven have left

Russian security officer says Ukraine talks to its saboteurs via foreign messenger apps

Andrey Pirozhkov specified that the priority targets of attacks include Russian service members, government officials, journalists, public figures, and sometimes even bombers themselves

Iraqi Kurdistan president slams attack on Kurdish fighters in Iraq as ‘direct aggression’

The region’s prime minister Masrour Barzani urged "the federal government and the international community to put an end to these hostile attacks on Iraqi Kurdistan"

Russia’s doctrine is challenge to US nuclear deterrent — Pentagon

The US under secretary of defense once again accused Moscow of violating the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty

Iran blocks container ship SELEN from passing through Strait of Hormuz — IRGC Navy

IRGC Navy Commander Ali Reza Tangsiri stressed that the passing of any vessel through this waterway required thorough coordination with Iranian authorities

Russia, Ukraine getting close to settlement deal, says Trump

These are people that they don't like each other very much, he added

Cache with grenades, Belgian machine gun found in abandoned building in DPR

The operation was carried out in collaboration with military counterintelligence units

Iran halts gas supplies to Turkey after Israeli strike — Bloomberg

According to sources, Turkey is still importing gas from Russia and Azerbaijan and also has reserves

EU energy crisis of its own making, Russia snub to blame — Dmitriev

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is still too slow to admit that it is critical in the EU, the special presidential envoy said

Gazprom, OMV plan to close asset swap deal by year-end — official

OMV will acquire a 24.98% stake in Achimov Blocks 4A and 5A development project at the Urengoi oil and gas field in West Siberia in exchange for Gazprom’s participation in its assets

Rosatom to mine and process critical metals in Brazil

As part of their joint activities, the partners plan to obtain the necessary permits, conduct geological exploration at promising deposits and establish modern mining and processing facilities based on them

Fesco, Vietnam’s VIMC agree on cooperation in maritime shipping

The parties intend to expand cooperation to develop maritime container transportation between Asian countries and promote Fesco services in Vietnam and in international markets where VIMC operates

World oil market is balanced, 2024 oil price will be $80-100 per barrel — Gazprom Neft

Brent oil prices remained at around $85 per barrel for almost the entire month of March

Death toll from Colombian Air Force plane crash rises to 69

57 people were injured

EC postpones publication of ban on Russian oil imports for EU countries

Initially, April 15 was discussed, but the ban clause has now disappeared from the European Commission's agenda

Kremlin says Putin outlined new mechanism of gas payments to European leaders

On March 31, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on rules of gas trade with unfriendly countries, which stipulates a new system of contract payment

Press review: Russia ready for arms control reset with US and Mideast war's outlook hazy

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, March 24th

Contacts between Iran, US have been established through intermediaries — CNN

According to the source, Iran "is not asking for a meeting or direct talks with the United States but is willing to listen" to proposals that take into account the republic’s national interests

US leader’s approval rating drops to 36%, lowest since his inauguration — poll

According to the provided data, 35% of respondents positively assessed the US strikes on Iran, while 61% viewed them negatively

Brent oil price rises by around 5%

By 20:01 Moscow time, Brent was trading at $104.24 per barrel

Trump says Iran has agreed not to have nuclear weapons

He did not say, however, who the United States is engaged in consultations with

In future, OPEC may double control on oil market to 70-80% — Lukoil VP

According to OPEC, in 2021 the demand for oil from the Allian countries will amount to 27.7 mln bpd, while the global demand is about 100 mln bpd

Russia calls on Lebanese authorities to prevent descending to civil war — ambassador

Alexander Rudakov said that maximal efforts are needed to strengthen the role of the Lebanese army

Kiev faces biggest risk yet of losing US aid — media

According to the source, Washington does not believe that Kiev is capable of agreeing on the "key issue," referring to Ukraine’s withdrawal from Donbass

EU could deploy mission to Hormuz Strait after hostilities end — EC president

Ursula von der Leyen emphasized the need to "come to a solution that is negotiated," while also noting a critical situation for the energy supply allies

Losses of Russia’s coal industry may reach $7.13 bln in 2026 in stress scenario

Russian Deputy Energy Minister Dmitry Islamov recalled that the ministry had forecast the sector’s loss in 2025 at 360 bln rubles ($4.46 bln)

Explosive-laden insoles intercepted and other terrorist plots foiled: FSB hard at work

Employees of the Russian Federal Security Service, the Interior Ministry, and the Federal National Guard Service were put on high alert

Vorobey-10 drone carrying thermobaric munitions to be tested in special op zone

The Vorobey-10 has a range of approximately 15 km, and can carry a payload of up to 10 kg

Saudi Arabia, UAE may join conflict against Iran — newspaper

According to The Wall Street Journal, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and other regional countries are "unified" in their discontent with Iran

Russia in favorable position in coming era of extreme shortage

Russian presidential special representative for investment and economic cooperation with foreign countries and head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund Kirill Dmitriev made the comment in response to a Bloomberg report stating that Russia’s restrictions on ammonium nitrate exports would further worsen the global supply situation for agricultural fertilizers

No prospects for ending Middle East conflict visible today — Shoigu

According to the Russian official, the US-Israeli attack has struck not only the Islamic Republic but also the entire system of regional and international security

‘No justification’ for continued armed conflict in Middle East — Russian Foreign Ministry

According to the statement, Russia "firmly supports the UAE in defending its sovereignty and territorial integrity, condemns targeted attacks on civilians as well as on civilian infrastructure"

Bosnian Serb leader calls NATO bombings with uranium criminal

Milorad Dodik pointed to the devastating health consequences, noting that many individuals suffer from malignant diseases as a direct result

Two NATO ships enter Gulf of Finland — media

Earlier, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said at a press conference following a Helsinki summit of NATO’s Baltic member states that the bloc was launching a mission dubbed Baltic Sentry in the Baltic Sea, aimed at protecting underwater infrastructure

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

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

Trump tried to gauge if Iran ready for ceasefire via Pakistani intermediary — newspaper

According to the source, the US leader faced a coordinated and decisive response

Kiev making bombs disguised as household items — expert

Andrey Pirozhkov said the components for making such devices typically arrive from Europe via third countries

India mulls scaling up oil imports from Russia — Russian deputy foreign minister

Andrey Rudenko added that many countries are already looking to scale up their purchases of our energy resources

EU oil product prices hit records amid Strait of Hormuz crisis — Platts

Near-record levels were recorded in the diesel market as well as for several other products

Ukrainian strike on Zaporozhye hospital deliberate, not mistake — military expert

Vitaly Kiselyov believes that Kiev will describe the incident as a targeting error, an operator mistake, or attribute it to a Russian drone

Iran wants all sanctions on it lifted before ending war — Khamenei’s adviser

Mohsen Rezaei says that Iran will not end the hostilities until the payment of compensations

Iranian missiles intercepted over Lebanon were targeting Hamaat air base — portal

No official statements from the authorities regarding the interception of the Iranian missiles in Lebanese airspace have been issued

FIFA cancels over 2,000 hotel room reservations in US ahead of 2026 World Cup

The global football organization did not provide reasons for such decision

Russian Su-34 bombers wipe out Ukrainian armor by FAB-500 glide bombs in Kursk Region

After receiving a confirmation based on reconnaissance data that the targets had been destroyed, "the crews safely returned to their airfield," Russia’s Defense Ministry said

Colombian military plane crash death toll revised up to 66 — TV

57 people were hospitalized

IN BRIEF: On progress of construction of NPP in Uzbekistan, statements by Rosatom

The State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom and the Atomic Energy Agency of Uzbekistan signed a roadmap for cooperation in the nuclear and related fields

Blow to non-proliferation regime and IAEA acknowledgement: Russian diplomat’s statements

Now, nuclear sites "indeed, are targets for attacks," Mikhail Ulyanov noted

US orders 22 B-2 strategic bombers, Trump says

Washington is using these aircraft in the current US-Israeli military operation against Iran

Israel, US carry out new strike on Bushehr NPP, station sustains no damage — AEOI

According to the organization, no technical malfunctions have been witnessed at the plant

Russian envoy warns of 'saddest consequences' for those implicated in Bryansk attack

Ambassador to Great Britain Andrey Kelin emphasized that the attack was carried out after "political and diplomatic efforts on the Ukraine track were activated"

Joint staff exercise for technical support command officers underway in Belarus

The exercise is intended to enhance the readiness of functional groups of command control centers for high-quality planning of technical support and to strengthen the practical skills of units’ military command officers in making operational decisions

Russian troops liberate Peschanoye community in Kharkov Region over past day — top brass

Russia’s Battlegroup North inflicted more than 235 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed four enemy armored combat vehicles in its areas of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

Novoaidar hospital evacuated, rubble clean-up underway - diplomat

Rodion Miroshnik underlined that it had been the second bombardment of a hospital in the LPR in 2023

Turkey determined to stay out of ongoing conflict in region — Erdogan

The Turkish leader noted that the parties involved in the war were resorting to tricks to drag other countries into the conflict

Russian inspectors to perform observation flight over Turkey — Russian Defense Ministry

The observation flight will be performed on December 14-18, 2015 from the Erzurum airfield

Russia 'negative' on Iran conflict spilling over to Caspian Sea region — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov declined to comment on media reports alleging that Israel had carried out strikes on Russian ships in the Caspian Sea

Iran agrees not to enrich uranium — US leader

Donald Trump added that the Islamic republic "can’t have certain things"

Russia can't rely on EU, given its sanctions-mania against Moscow, says Lavrov

Russia realized that relying on the EU in strategic areas of the economy, expecting supplies of technologies and components from countries that can overnight impose sanctions against us is simply impermissible for such a power as Russia, the foreign minister said

RusHydro eyes energy technologies export to Asia-Pacific — Deputy CEO

It is noted that Russian technologies in the energy sphere currently enjoy the demand worldwide, similarly to oil and gas technologies

Strait of Hormuz open to countries not at war with Iran — top diplomat

Abbas Araghchi thanked Beijing for the emergency humanitarian assistance and stressed that Tehran wants a comprehensive rather than temporary ceasefire

IRGC says it hit Israeli satellite communications stations, US bases in Middle East

Targets were hit in Jordan, Bahrain and Kuwait

Russia ready to supply all types of energy resources to Vietnam

According to Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko, the Russian side can offer supplies of agricultural products, fertilizers, as well as pharmaceutical and polymer products

Russian drones fly up to 60 km behind Ukrainian defense lines near Kramatorsk — expert

Vitaly Kiselyov said it is necessary to increase the number of strikes on Ukrainian troops from FPV drones

Chechen regiment storms Ukrainian positions in DPR’s Novomikhailovsky community

As a result of the clash, the enemy suffered losses and was demoralized

Russia’s future largely depends on success in AI sphere — Putin

The Russian leader noted that Russia needs to scale up its efforts in developing artificial intelligence

US awaits Iran’s response on potential peace talks on March 26 — media

According to sources cited by Axios, if the plans for the negotiations are confirmed, US Vice President JD Vance will likely attend