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Middle East conflict

Arab states to support escalation against Iran if it refuses to make concessions — WP

According to the newspaper, Abu Dhabi and Riyadh favor a "decisive end" to the war through military or diplomatic means

WASHINGTON, March 26. /TASS/. Saudi Arabia and the UAE will support an escalation of the United States military campaign if Iran does not agree to limit its missile, drone, and nuclear programs, The Washington Post (WP) reported, citing sources.

According to the newspaper, Abu Dhabi and Riyadh favor a "decisive end" to the war through military or diplomatic means. The authorities of the two countries have made it clear they will support an escalated military campaign by the United States if Tehran does not agree to "severe restrictions" on its missile, drone and nuclear programs. Such a campaign should be aimed at achieving concessions at the negotiating table, the newspaper's sources stated. According to the newspaper, Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain share this position. Only Oman opposes the US operation.

Middle Eastern countries fear that Washington will be unable to reach an agreement guaranteeing stability in the region. At the beginning of the campaign, some officials from the Persian Gulf states were more confident that the US would bring about a regime change in Tehran. However, "after seeing the limited impact of fierce US and Israeli operations on the standing of the Iranian government, US regional allies are now hoping military operations can change the behavior of Tehran," WP stated.

Middle East conflict

Economic consequences of Middle East conflict difficult for estimation — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov added that these consequences will hardly be good

Impossible to protect fundamental national interests without sovereignty — Putin

The Russian president noted that in the modern world, success in global markets belongs to those who invest in technological innovation and continuously work to improve their efficiency

IN BRIEF: Iran’s Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant comes under attack once again

According to preliminary reports, the facility was not damaged, there were no casualties among the personnel

CENTCOM denies IRGC claim of downing F-18 fighter jet over Iran

Earlier, the Iranian armed forces announced that an F-18 fighter jet allegedly belonging to the US Air Force had been shot down over the Islamic Republic using an unnamed new man-portable air defense system

Iran’s largest cities come under air attacks — TV

No data on casualties or damage are immediately available

Russia informs US it finds sharing intelligence with Ukraine unacceptable — MFA

Maria Zakharova noted that the American side usually responds with vague statements or even silence

Russia making efforts to prevent further escalation in Lebanon — ambassador

According to Alexander Rudakov, the Russian side maintains regular contact with local authorities and is making "diplomatic efforts to contain potential escalation of hostilities"

FACTBOX: What we know about attack on Turkish tanker Altura in Black Sea

Coast Guard speedboats and an emergency response vessel are working at the scene

Russia increases total gas production by 9% in two months to 129 bcm

The increase was recorded amid cold weather in most regions of Russia during these months

US moves to tap $750 mln in NATO’s funding for Kiev to restock its arsenals — WP

The Pentagon will redirect part of the money provided by Europe under PURL to Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative

Billions of euros allocated to Ukraine being used to fund terrorism — French politician

Florian Philippot made these remarks in response to reports that Ukrainian intelligence services had attempted to smuggle homemade explosive devices into Russia, disguised as heated shoe insoles

IN BRIEF: What we know about Europe’s efforts against so-called Russian 'shadow fleet'

The EU uses the term "shadow fleet" to refer to tankers flying the flags of foreign states that, in Brussels’ assessment, transport Russian oil

Russian military testing anti-drone net-firing round shot from grenade launcher

The net ammo was created at the request of military personnel

Press review: Trump searches for Iran offramp as one Gulf state weighs joining war

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, March 25th

Hungary suspends gas supplies to Ukraine — Orban

The Hungarian prime minister said the country will protect it’s energy security, maintain fixed gasoline prices and reduced gas tariffs

Hezbollah says it attacked Israeli defense ministry’s compound in Tel Aviv

Apart from that, barracks of military intelligence forces near the city were also attacked with the use of "missiles of various types"

Russian army approaches Rai-Alexandrovka in DPR — expert

Andrey Marochko also said that Russian forces are advancing at other sections of the front

US wants Iran to have leadership willing to cooperate — White House

Asked whether the US was satisfied with those currently in power in Iran, Karoline Leavittreplied that "it's too soon to say"

Trade turnover between Russia and Kazakhstan reaches nearly $30 bln — PM Mishustin

Mikhail Mishustin noted that a large number of Russian companies are investing in Kazakhstan

Fire outbreak in Primorsk port contained — authorities

Threshold limit values for concentrations of harmful substances in the environment were not registered to be exceeded

Ukrainian troops treat Latin American mercenaries as 'subhuman' — former SBU officer

Latin Americans make up the majority of the foreign mercenaries fighting on the Ukrainian side

Serbian president says hopes to discuss gas contract extension with Putin within days

The current contract for supplies of gas from Russia to Serbia expires on March 31

Another 163 Russians evacuated from Bushehr nuclear power plant

According to Rosatom CEO Alexey Likhachev, two more evacuation waves are planned for early April

Central Israel again shelled with missiles from Iran, explosions heard in Tel Aviv area

Shortly before this, the Israeli army warned of missile launches from Iranian territory

Germany, Australia to set up space-based surveillance system targeting Russia, China — TV

According to ABC, the agreement on the status of armed forces will facilitate the work of servicemen from both countries on each other’s territory

FACTBOX: Hungary suspends gas supplies to Ukraine

Hungary intends to increase its gas reserves using the volumes that will no longer be supplied in transit to Ukraine, seeking to force the country to end the oil blockade, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said

FACTBOX: What is known about EU's position on ban on oil imports from Russia

The EU has revised its plan for a total ban on Russian oil imports in the wake of the US and Israeli military operation against Iran

Ceasefire with US pointless without clear guarantees — Iranian foreign minister

Abbas Araghchi also added that although foreign ministers from across the region had contacted Tehran to discuss a ceasefire, "no negotiations have taken place so far"

FIFA cancels 80% of hotel reservations in Canada ahead of 2026 World Cup

Greater Toronto Hotel Association president Sara Anghel confirmed that blocks of rooms had indeed been cancelled

Europe effectively preparing for war with Russia — envoy in Vienna

The head of the Russian delegation at the disarmament talks in Vienna Yulia Zhdanova noted that the Kiev regime is only needed to buy time

Network of Ukrainian strongholds in Zaporozhye Region eliminated by Russian FPV drones

Targeted strikes by combat drones destroyed the structures and blocked exits from underground premises, the Russian defense ministry said

Russia to use all available means to ensure freedom of navigation — MFA

Russia considers practices by European Union countries unacceptable, inadmissible and a gross violation of the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, Maria Zakharova said

Russian envoy to UK labels West's claims of Ukraine's potential victory as 'self-hypnosis'

Andrey Kelin stressed that Russia advocates a diplomatic resolution to the conflict that takes its interests into account

Russia takes Kiev’s hits because it is winning on the battlefield — US expert

According to Scott Ritter, Russia could respond accordingly, but this could push the international community to think about supporting Ukraine

Iranian crisis may force Kiev to be more pragmatic at talks — Russian diplomat

Russian Foreign Ministry’s Ambassador at Large Rodion Miroshnik emphasized that any changes in the West’s ability to finance the Ukrainian conflict "will tell on the negotiating conditions"

Pentagon developing four scenarios for military escalation with Iran — news outlet

Axios noted that US servicemen had prepared a plan for a ground operation deep inside Iran aimed at seizing highly enriched uranium located at nuclear facilities

Orban’s demand to Zelensky, Ukrainian spies: what is known

The Hungarian prime minister has demanded that Vladimir Zelensky immediately withdraw Ukrainian operatives from Hungary

Russia to update target list if nuclear weapons appear in Poland, Sweden — MP

Andrey Kartapolov also emphasized that current European politicians have no idea what risks a country is taking when it decides to deploy military facilities with nuclear weapons on its territory

White House says media reports on 15-point plan handed to Iran contain misinformation

Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt also cautioned from taking things from anonymous sources

Tehran receives Washington’s 15-point ceasefire proposal — agency

According to the sources, the plan touches on sanctions relief, civilian nuclear cooperation, a rollback of Iran’s nuclear program

Putin signs decree on holding third Russia-Africa summit in Moscow

The same presidential decree also established an organizing committee for the preparation and holding of the summit

Russian ambassador to UK points to US’ two mistakes concerning Iran

The Russian diplomat noted that the military operation against Iran is not supported by people either in the United States or in the United Kingdom

US wants access to Iranian oil as part of any deal with Tehran — WSJ

According to the source, currently no specific plans are being developed in this regard

Trump wants to end conflict with Iran in coming weeks — media

According to the newspaper, some of Donald Trump's closest advisers want him to focus on the most pressing problems American voters are concerned over

Russian Battlegroup North advancing in 18 areas in Sumy Region — expert

The enemy is deploying reserves from the rear, Vitaly Kiselev said

US exhausts long-range precision weapons stockpiles — former US Marine officer

Scott Ritter stressed that Iran had shown no inclination to back off

Belarus-North Korea relations entering new stage — Lukashenko

Belarusian President stressed that despite the vast distance between the two countries, the Belarusian and North Korean people share common values

Ukraine’s air defense effectiveness declines amid troops transfer to Middle East — expert

Andrey Marochko clarified that Kiev has recently begun to use the expensive anti-aircraft missile systems and aircraft supplied by NATO countries less frequently

Trump says expected much worse economic consequences from conflict with Iran

The US leader called the US-Israeli operation against Iran an "excursion into hell"

Somali pirates reportedly seize Iranian ship in Indian Ocean — maritime security center

According to the report, the incident took place some 400 nautical miles east of Mogadishu

NATO increases military spending as Russia seen as main threat to peace — Rutte report

The document states that the United States accounted for 60% of NATO’s total defense spending in 2025

Lukashenko, at talks with Kim, called for consolidating efforts to defend sovereignty

The North Korean leader met with the visiting Belarusian president during the greeting ceremony on Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang

AI-based anti-drone systems reduce effectiveness of Kiev’s drone strikes — expert

Andrey Marochko said that problems within the Ukrainian army can also be attributed to the enemy’s high percentage of defective, cheap products and low-quality components for unmanned aerial vehicles

EU digital censorship hands control over Hungarian elections to algorithms — GFCN

Experts noted that social media platforms are turning a blind eye to the way the opposition circumvents platform rules, gaining millions of views, while content of the conservatives is subject to the strictest moderation

US loses initiative in conflict with Iran, ex-MI6 chief says

Alex Younger noted the successful decisions made by the Iranian leadership, such as the dispersal of military capabilities

Kim meets with Lukashenko in Pyongyang — agency

The Belarusian delegation also includes Deputy Prime Minster Yury Shuleiko and Foreign Minister Maxim Ryzhenko

US space policy confirms Russia's assessment of deteriorating situation in this area — MFA

Maria Zakharova stressed the importance of timely and coordinated international efforts to prevent an arms race in outer space

Iran’s IRGC says Basij forces shoot down US F-18 fighter jet

No information has been provided regarding the location or the time of the incident

Attack on Russian tanker risks environmental disaster in Mediterranean — official

Nickolay Patrushev said the tanker is drifting southeast of the coast of Italy

Kiev intensifies drone attacks on Moscow, St. Petersburg as it knows it’s losing — Ritter

According to the former US Marine Corps intelligence officer, the US and the West could directly side with Ukraine if "Russia responds dramatically against Ukraine"

Ukrainian army sustaining catastrophic losses in Konstantinovka — expert

Vitaly Kiselev recalled that Russian forces have cut the Ukrainian unit in Konstantinovka in half, driving a wedge into the enemy's defenses

Escalation of conflict with Iran could be very costly for US — expert

Daniel Davis, retired US Army Lieutenant Colonel, also noted that the United States desperately needs negotiations

Risk of Middle East conflict expanding remains — Kremlin

According to Dmitry Peskov, Russia hopes that efforts are being made to steer the entire process toward a peaceful settlement

US Vice President plans to visit Hungary on April 7-8 — media

According to the newspaper, JD Vance’s visit is geared to demonstrate Washington’s support for Hungary’s incumbent Prime Minister Viktor Orban

Iran betting on survival as crucial factor in conflict — expert

Ahmed Mustafa noted that Iran had managed to preserve key elements of its military architecture

Press review: Trump trots elite troops to Mideast as gas guzzles his approval rating

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, March 26th

Hezbollah says knocked out eight Israeli tanks in past day

They were hit by guided missiles, Hezbollah said

Only US, Israel, Argentina vote against UN resolution on slave trade

123 states, including Russia and China, voted in favor of the resolution

Russian forces down 42 Ukrainian drones over Kursk Region in past day — governor

Alexander Khinshtein clarified that there were no casualties or injuries resulting from the Ukrainian attacks

Possible text on Ukrainian settlement and next round of talks — Ushakov’s statements

There is currently a pause in the trilateral talks on Ukraine "due to obvious reasons," the Russian Presidential aide stated

Putin bans ruble cash carrying to the EAEU in amount equivalent to more than $100,000

The head of state signed a relevant decree posted on the official web portal of legal information

Iranian military says shot down US fighter jet using shoulder-fired SAM

According to the military, the aircraft crashed into the Indian Ocean

Protection of Russian tankers, support from the Navy: Patrushev's statements

According to the official, shipowners engaged with Russia have been instructed on how to coordinate with the Navy

Kim Jong Un expresses solidarity with Minsk, full support — news agency

Kim Jong Un also pointed out that North Korea opposes "unjustified Western pressure"

Turkey trying to persuade Arab countries not to interfere in Iran conflict — Bloomberg

According to the agency, Ankara fears that the involvement of Arab states in the Middle East in the hostilities could lead to a full-scale war

FACTBOX: Over 120 UAVs downed in Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian regions

In the Bryansk Region, a woman died during a drone attack

Iranian missiles attack central Israel — correspondent

There have been no reports of damage or casualties at the time

Emergencies Ministry workers clear Russia’s new regions of 279,000 explosives

Alexander Kurenkov emphasized that the Emergencies Ministry’s pyrotechnic units are constantly searching for, neutralizing, and destroying explosive devices

Ukraine attacks Belgorod Region with about 170 drones over past day

The regional emergency response center reported that a woman was killed and a man was injured when a drone struck a car in the city of Graivoron

Zelensky says dissatisfied with US proposal on security guarantees

Vladimir Zelensky specified that Washington suggests Ukraine leave Donbass

US Congresswoman Luna calls on Zelensky to make peace deal

Thus Anna Paulina Luna commented on Vladimir Zelensky's interview where he said that Washington is ready to give security guarantees to Kiev is Ukrainian forces are withdrawn from Donbass

US temporarily removes top Iranian diplomat, parliament speaker from target list — media

The senior officials have been removed from the target list for up to four or five days as President of the US Donald Trump opens the door to high-level negotiations for ending the war, the newspaper said

Orban demands Zelensky withdraw Ukrainian intelligence officers agents from Hungary

The Hungarian prime minister highlighted that "Ukrainian spies and IT specialists on Ukraine’s payroll" are actively involved with the opposition Tisza party

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

Russia’s Battlegroup North inflicted more than 210 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed an enemy armored combat vehicle in its areas of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

Iran may create threat in Bab al-Mandeb Strait if escalation aggravates — Tasnim

The Bab al-Mandeb Strait is considered one of the world’s strategic straits

US-Iran conflict may result in long war, negotiating impasse, Egyptian expert says

Ahmed Mustafa emphasized that indirect negotiations may not lead to a comprehensive agreement

Turkish tanker carrying oil from Russia damaged in Black Sea drone attack — TV

The vessel sailing under the flag of Sierra Leone sustained damage to its superstructure and the captain’s bridge as a result of the explosion

Talks with US do not limit Russia's response to European provocations — presidential envoy

Kirill Dmitriev stressed that all the opportunities for a strong response remained, but at the same time, dialogue continued

Key issues in Ukrainian settlement not yet agreed upon — Kremlin spokesman

"Issues like territoriality are the main topic of discussion," Dmitry Peskov said

Putin endorses idea to set up alternative to Literature Nobel Prize

Talented people who achieve outstanding results and present them to our country and the global reading public should have alternatives, the president noted

Russian troops liberate Nikiforovka community in Donetsk region over past day — top brass

The Ukrainian army lost roughly 1,360 troops in battles with Russian forces in all the frontline areas over the past 24 hours

Russia reconsidering energy supply chains — energy minister

Sergey Tsivilyov said the conflict in the Middle East prompts all sober-minded people to reconsider approaches in the supplies sphere

Russia informed about results of US-Ukraine talks in Florida — presidential aide

The negotiations took place on March 21

Putin invites Vietnamese Communist Party General Secretary to visit Russia

The Russian leader congratulated Pham Minh Chinh on the successful holding of the 14th Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam

India plans to host BRICS summit on September 12-13 — source

According to the source, member countries have been informed of the summit dates

Iran's strikes raise concerns about effectiveness of Israeli air defenses — newspaper

The Washington Post stressed that it was precisely the threat of Iran expanding its arsenal of missiles - capable of overwhelming Israel’s air defense - that became one of the justifications for the escalation of the conflict

Iran claims US spy plane sustained $2.5-million-damage — agency

No information was provided regarding the circumstances of the reported incident

Butyagin case shows who Russia has to deal with — Putin

Russian President Vladimir Putin said it at a meeting of the Council for Culture

Iran won’t agree to deal with US without ceasefire in Lebanon — news agency

According to the report, this primarily concerns a halt to Israeli strikes on positions of the Shia group Hezbollah in southern Lebanon

US president accuses NATO of inaction in situation with Iran

"The US needs nothing from NATO, but 'never forget' this very important point in time," Donald Trump stated

Israel, US strike Iranian city of Shiraz, casualties reported

According to the news agency, several people, including minors, have reportedly been killed and wounded