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Middle East conflict

Hezbollah takes responsibility for attack on Israeli military intelligence headquarters

Missile strikes also targeted an Israeli naval base in Haifa Bay

BEIRUT, March 30. /TASS/. The Hezbollah Shia movement has claimed responsibility for attacks on several strategic facilities in northern Israel, including the military intelligence headquarters outside Tel Aviv.

"The resistance forces launched high-precision missiles at the Israeli military intelligence headquarters in Glilot, outside Tel Aviv, 100 kilometers from the border with Lebanon," Hezbollah said in a statement.

Missile strikes also targeted an Israeli naval base in Haifa Bay, a drone operation center in the Upper Galilee, and a deployment point of an artillery regiment in the settlement of Ein Zeitim.

Hezbollah also attacked the Filon military base in the town of Rosh Pinna and army barracks in Shomera, where troops involved in the ground operation in southern Lebanon are stationed.

Slovak PM accuses EU authorities of conspiring with Zelensky to stop oil supplies

According to Robert Fico, the European Commission is capable of influencing Vladimir Zelensky but it is reluctant to do it

US-Israeli strike on humanitarian aid aircraft in western Iran reported

The Civil Aviation Organization of the Islamic Republic called on all international bodies to take appropriate measures in response to this incident

Trump may politically eliminate Zelensky — US expert

Vladimir Zelensky has zero impact on the world, Scott Ritter said

Board of Peace appears less current amid US aggression in Iran — Peskov

Russia has not yet decided whether to enter the Board of Peace or not, the Kremlin spokesman said

Trump says he looks forward to seeing Belarusian president at next Board of Peace meeting

Donald Trump also thanked his Belarusian counterpart for ordering the release of 250 prisoners

Pamfilova becomes first in Russian history to be re-elected as CEC chair for third term

Ella Pamfilova has headed the CEC since 2016

Vucic hopes Europe will negotiate energy supplies from Russia

The Serbian president said he sees no other solution

Russia ready to offer all exploration stages to foreign countries — official

The Russian geological sector is at the world level absolutely, head of the Russian Federal Agency for Subsoil Use Oleg Kazanov said

US air forces expose F-35 jets to enemy fire by coming closer to Iran — analyst

According to Scott Ritter, the US has been "very successful in blowing up points on the ground" but it has not degraded the Iranian defense industry, which was relocated and hidden

Number of US troops in Middle East surpasses 50,000 — newspaper

The current number of US troops in the Middle East is roughly 10,000 above the usual

Russia achieves success in degrading weapons provided to Ukraine by West — analyst

Meanwhile, the US "has not had any success at all" in the Middle East, Ritter noted

Trumps speaks rudely about Saudi Arabia’s crown prince — newspaper

According to Trump, Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud perceived him as "another American president that was a loser" with his country going downhill

Iran may withdraw from NPT, says diplomat

The Islamic Republic of Iran has never sought and does not seek to develop nuclear weapons, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said

Serbian president plans to discuss extension of gas agreement on Monday

Earlier, Aleksandar Vucic announced his intentions to get in touch with Russian President Vladimir Putin "in the coming days" to discuss the extension of the gas contract

Iran delivers strike on oil refinery in Israel’s Haifa — agency

According to NourNews, one of the fuel storage tanks went ablaze

Iran to let 20 oil tankers through Strait of Hormuz, Trump says

Donald Trump told this to reporters aboard his plane on route from West Palm Beach, Florida, to Washington

Zelensky seeks to fleece Middle Eastern countries — Iranian Foreign Ministry

According to Esmaeil Baghaei, "linking the conflict in Ukraine with the aggression of the Zionist regime and the US against Iran is a catastrophic mistake"

US to allow Russian oil tanker to reach Cuba — NYT

According to the newspaper, the arrival of the Russian ship carrying energy supplies will help Cuba avoid running out of fuel for several weeks

Aggression against Iran shows West’s desire to impose its policy — Russian diplomat

According to Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin, the unprovoked US and Israel armed aggression against Iran is a manifestation of reckless and aggressive policy of the Western minority

Russia’s Rostec develops new jamming module for mobile electronic warfare systems

The system features separate functional units and can be installed on various platforms

US can take control of Strait of Hormuz, and 'it is already happening' — Trump

While answering a question on the level of coordination with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu regarding talks with Iran, the US leader said that "the coordination is very close"

Russia alarmed by Trump's 'military adventures' — deputy foreign minister

Mikhail Galuzin noted that international relations keep turning more chaotic and less stable

Aid to Cuba from Russia: arrival of Russian oil tanker, energy crisis in region

The Russian tanker Anatoly Kolodkin transported 100,000 tons of crude oil

Trump says Cuba to face problems 'within short period of time'

On March 27, the US leader said that Cuba would be the next US target, without specifying Washington’s plans regarding the country

Russia to continue work on energy supplies to Cuba — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov said the desperate situation in which Cubans now find themselves cannot leave Moscow indifferent

Russia condemns lethal attack on President of Iraqi Kurds Nechirvan Barzani — diplomat

"Moscow is deeply concerned about the continuing armed confrontation in the Persian Gulf region and the growing number of attacks targeting administrative and civilian infrastructure," Maria Zakharova stated

Staying in place suicidal for Patriot air defense crews in Middle East — US expert

Scott Ritter says that there is no defense against Iran's attacks

Iran says opponents begging it to negotiate over Strait of Hormuz

Iran's First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref emphasized that the country's armed forces were among the world’s mightiest

Iran completes 87th wave of attacks on Israel and US bases in Middle East — IRGC

During the 87th Wave of Operation True Promise 4, control centers, weapons depots, drones, and hiding places for terrorists and US pilots in various areas were hit

US, Israel discuss next steps against Iran’s military-industrial enterprises — CNN

According to the TV channel’s sources, the meeting focused on the war against Iran and efforts to halt Iranian weapons production

Russian tanker delivers oil to Cuba despite US pressure on Havana — envoy

Viktor Koronelli said the tanker delivered 100,000 tons of oil

Pace of recovery in Russia-US relations depends on Washington — Kremlin

Spokesman Dmitry Peskov says that Moscow is ready to develop the contacts "to the same extent and at the same pace" as the US

Iranian army to prevent repetition of US, Israeli aggression — acting top defense official

Iran will continue with all its might to punish the aggressors, Seyyed Majid Ibn Reza said

Russian forces discover Ukrainian chemical weapons caches in liberated DPR — FSB

According to FSB regional branch spokeswoman Arina Klepanova, the Ukrainian side is using bacteriological and chemical weapons to poison Russian population

Eurasian security architecture should build on existing blocs — Russian diplomat

Mikhail Galuzin favors the system which would allow all states to be confident in their security

Russia wishes the US good luck in settlement with Iran — Kremlin aide

The continuation of bombing is just terrific, Russian presidential aide Yury Ushakov said

US to destroy Iran’s power plants, oil facilities if talks collapse — Trump

According to the US president, this would allow Washington to avenge the deaths of its servicemen and other US citizens who were killed after the Islamic Revolution in Iran, which took place 47 years ago

Zelensky may be killed for negotiating with Russia as he does not head Ukraine — expert

US political analyst Garland Nixon stressed that Zelensky was simply an operative for Western imperialism

Russia lodges formal protest with UK over diplomat’s actions — Foreign Ministry

Russian diplomats urged that a strong recommendation be conveyed to London, advising British nationals — especially embassy staff — to "provide only accurate information about their past" when submitting visa applications

Press review: US nears Iran ground invasion as Ukraine hits Russia with Flamingo missiles

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, March 30th

Two drones fall in southeastern Finland

Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo said that the drones were likely Ukrainian

Russia’s Skat-350M recon drone equipped with anti-jamming system — Kalashnikov

Thanks to its specialized optical navigation system, the drone continues to perform its mission using previously loaded maps even when a false GPS signal is transmitted from the ground

Russia seeks to boost cooperation with Gulf countries — Kremlin spokesman

They are among the countries we would like to develop bilateral cooperation with, Peskov added

Israel, US attack amusement park in central Iran

No information on casualties or damage has been reported yet

Ukraine planted explosives in Seversky Donets — Donbass Canal

Earlier reports said that the distance from the outermost position of Russian troops to the canal, the main water artery in the region, declined significantly

Russian army adopts new Knyaz Vandal FPV drone modification — general designer

The new modification of the KVN is capable of reaching targets at a range of 30 kilometers

Putin to deliver comprehensive address at SPIEF-2026 — Kremlin

Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov noted that everyone looks forward to the president’s address

Russian troops liberate Kovsharovka settlement

The Ukrainian armed forces lost about 1,275 troops over the day in the zone of the Special Military Operation

Europe misjudging upcoming energy crisis, as expected — Russia’s envoy

Kirill Dmitriev added that Europe does not try to mitigate future risks or correct mistakes

Iran wipes out anti-drone warehouse in Dubai with over 20 Ukrainian experts — commander

The Iranian broadcaster never mentioned the severity of wounds sustained by Ukrainian servicemen

Iran shows itself 'military adept' in conflict with US, Israel — expert

American political scientist Garland Nixon opined that Iran has shown "to be quite good at military strategy"

US holds both direct, indirect talks with Iran, Trump says

The US leader added that "emissaries" are involved in the talks, but did not provide any details

US is beginning to understand that talking peace with Zelensky is useless — politician

Viktor Medvedchuk said that Vladimir Zelensky wants to drag the US into the war in Ukraine, and then the issue of any peace agreements will simply disappear from the agenda

Iran receives second humanitarian aid shipment from Russia

The operation was carried out under the instructions of Russian President Vladimir Putin

British MFA condemns Israel’s plans to expand security zone in Lebanon

Hamish Falconer stated that Israel must avoid further exacerbation of the conflict

Belarus develops trilateral cooperation with Russia, North Korea, top diplomat says

Maxim Ryzhenkov noted that Belarus is "actively working on options for the development of trilateral cooperation"

Trump cannot declare victory if Iran continues launching missiles at Israel — US expert

Ritter also noted that declarations of victory would look questionable if the Strait of Hormuz remained blocked

Ukraine left in lurch as partners divert Patriot missiles to Middle East, Zelensky says

Zelensky mentioned plans to provide autonomous boats to the Gulf monarchies amid Iran’s continued blocking of the Strait of Hormuz

US does not oppose humanitarian oil supplies to Cuba, including from Russia — Trump

According to Donald Trump, these deliveries will not "have an impact" on efforts to overcome the energy crisis on the island

Iran blames Israel for attack on power, desalination plant in Kuwait

According to Ebrahim Zolfaqari, the recent attack on a desalination plant in Kuwait, accompanied by accusations against Iran, is a sign of Israel's meanness and baseness

Peacemakers will win, Dmitriev says

The Russian special presidential envoy for foreign investment and economic cooperation responded to the post by Anna Paulina Luna about criticism from other Congress members in respect of peace talks.

Ukraine loses up to 8,900 troops, mercenaries in special op zone over week — expert

According to Andrey Marochko, the Russian troops destroyed five tanks, nearly 700 various combat vehicles and 51 electronic warfare and counter-battery stations over the past week

Russian women detained in California in January remain in custody — ICE

Natalya Dudina and Kristina Malyshko were arrested in California on January 17 and have been in custody for about two and a half months

US, Iran can no longer convince world of their victory through rhetoric alone — expert

According to Garland Nixon, President Donald Trump has repeatedly declared victory, trying to create the impression that the US is fully in control and has achieved definitive success

IN BRIEF: What is known about Russian women held in US

Natalia Dudina and Kristina Malyshko are currently in custody at the Otay Mesa Immigration Detention Center in San Diego, with ICE stating that they will remain detained until the ongoing investigation concludes

Western Europe to be first victim falling to Zelensky's nuclear blackmail — Zakharova

He will not just be demanding money and weapons, he will be requesting from them conditions to uphold his regime, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman added

One person killed, 11 others injured: aftermath of Kiev’s night attack on Russia’s south

Overnight, air defenses shot down Ukrainian drones over the Belgorod, Kursk, Voronezh, Rostov, Volgograd, Penza, Ulyanovsk, Samara and Krasnodar Regions, the Azov Sea and Crimea

UK fines Apple over $500k for violating anti-Russian sanctions — OFSI

The penalty imposed was for "making funds available to a designated person without a license"

Ammunition depots attacked at US military bases — Iran’s IRGC

They are located in Iraq, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, the IRGC press service said

Russia revokes accreditation of British diplomat — FSB

The second secretary of the British embassy in Moscow was ordered to leave Russia within two weeks

US-Israeli strike targets petrochemical facility in Iran’s Tabriz — CEO

No release of toxic or hazardous substances has been detected

Iran considers Ukraine party to war against it — envoy to UN

Amir Saeid Iravani noted that sending "hundreds of specialists" to the region "indicates active participation and facilitation of the unlawful use of force against a sovereign state"

US president says he would like to take control of Iranian oil

On March 26, Donald Trump also said at a Cabinet meeting that he considers taking control of Iranian oil to be one of the possible scenarios

Middle East conflict risks leading to another round of nuclear arms race — agency

According to the media outlet, governments "from the North Atlantic to the West Pacific" are debating whether they, too, should seek nuclear weapons

Kiev working hard to maintain control of Nikolayevka near DPR's Konstantinovka — expert

Andrey Marochko says that Ukrainian forces have strong fortifications in the city

Russian tanker carrying 100,000 tons of oil as humanitarian aid arrives in Cuba

The ship is currently awaiting unloading at the port of Mansas

Russia to respond immediately if London escalates situation — ministry

Earlier, the Russian Federal Security Service uncovered evidence of intelligence and sabotage activities by the British diplomat

Trump says Iran must comply with all US demands or face severe consequences

The US leader stressed that Iran has to "give up nuclear weapons"

US could quickly shut down any move to charge fees in Strait of Hormuz — Trump

Donald Trump said that Washington "could close that up in two minutes"

US unlikely to allow its allies to fall outside of its protective shield, expert says

Alexey Gromyko warned of serious repercussions, addressing the prospects of nuclear proliferation, particularly the potential transfer of nuclear weapons to Ukraine from France and Britain

FACTBOX: Iran moves to charge toll for passage through Strait of Hormuz

The fee will be charged in accordance with a new law that the Iranian parliament is set to pass shortly

US-Israeli war on Iran on verge of spiraling out of control — Global Times

The US government, the newspaper notes, initially projected that the war against Iran would last "four to five weeks", and later repeatedly claimed it would "end soon", but the facts proved otherwise

Strikes target Mehrabad Airport, branch of Iran’s Central Bank in Tehran — TV

A cardboard factory in the south of the city and the Qasr-e Firouzeh residential complex also came under attack

Iranian parliament calls for withdrawal from NPT in response to US, Israeli aggression

"Iran not seeking to build a nuclear bomb, but one cannot simultaneously play by the rules and be subjected to bombing," Alaeddin Boroujerdi said

Passage through Strait of Hormuz to become tolled after Iran adopts new law — MP

Security and services for ships will be ensured through fees, Alaeddin Boroujerdi said

G7 unlikely to find solution to energy crisis at online meeting on April 30 — Politico

The newspaper emphasized that the meeting could end without adopting a final statement

Russian air defense units distinguish Ukrainian decoys — soldier

The Russian serviceman noted that the Ukrainian armed forces were attempting to launch massive strikes using various types of drones

China ready to defend global energy security amid crisis — MFA

The global energy and commodity markets are facing a supply shortage due to the situation in the Middle East, Mao Ning said

Iran to hit more targets if US attacks Kharg Island — ambassador

Tehran’s Ambassador to Zimbabwe Amir Hossein Hosseini also expressed hope that the conflict would be resolved diplomatically

UK charge d’affaires summoned to Russian MFA leaves ministry without comment

The diplomat remained at the ministry for about 15 minutes

Kiev, amid waning Western support, in agony launching massive strikes at LPR — governor

Leonid Pasechnik said that the Alchevsk Metallurgical Plant sustained serious damage

US-Israeli war against Iran could escalate into World War III — Jeffrey Sachs

The American economist said the fighting could spiral out of control, as the US and Israel "are dead set on hegemony in the Arab world and West Asia – one that combines Israeli territorial expansion with American-backed regime control across the region"

FACTBOX: What to know on expulsion of British diplomat from Russia over spying allegations

The FSB cautioned Russian citizens to refrain from holding unsanctioned meetings with British diplomats, including within the premises of the British diplomatic mission

Air defenses downed 13 guided bombs, 345 drones — Russian Defense Ministry

Russian troops also engaged the storage site of Ukraine’s Flamingo long-range missiles, it added

Trump says Iran ready to accept many US demands

The US President stated that he "do see a deal in Iran"

One person killed in drone attack on southern Russian city of Taganrog

According to the Governor Yury Slyusar, local residents have been evacuated from the area where drone debris came down

Japanese PM Takaichi preserves anti-Russian policy — senior Moscow diplomat

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko says that the bilateral relations "continue to decline"

NORAD F-16 fighter jets intercept aircraft near residence of US president

The North American Aerospace Defense Command said it used dispensed flares to draw the pilot’s attention during the interception

Russian troops liberate two communities in Ukraine operation over past day — top brass

Russia’s Battlegroup West inflicted roughly 190 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed two enemy armored combat vehicles in its area of responsibility over the past day, the ministry reported

Number of injured in Ukrainian attack on Russia’s Taganrog rises to eight

Eight more Taganrog residents sought medical assistance

Russia ready to host Olympic Games in the future — Putin

The president congratulated the Russian Olympic Committee on its 115th anniversary