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Middle East conflict

Top diplomats of Russia, Iran discuss situation in Middle East over phone — Russian MFA

Sergey Lavrov and Abbas Araghchi also exchanged opinions on the course of debate at the UN Security Council regarding ways to ensure the safe passage of vessels in the Strait of Hormuz

MOSCOW, April 2. /TASS/. Foreign ministers Sergey Lavrov of Russia and Abbas Araghchi of Iran discussed the conflict in the Middle East, efforts by a number of countries toward de-escalation, and debates at the UN Security Council on ways of ensuring the safe passage of ships in the Strait of Hormuz in a phone call on Thursday, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a press release.

"The [two foreign] ministers discussed in detail developments around the latest conflict in the Middle East, and efforts being made by a number of countries toward de-escalating tensions, as they also exchanged opinions on the course of debate at the UN Security Council regarding ways to ensure the safe passage of vessels in the Strait of Hormuz and overcome other consequences of the unprovoked US and Israeli aggression against the Islamic Republic of Iran," the press release reads.

Iran can't have unilateral control over Hormuz - Arab League secretary general

In the opinion of Ahmed Aboul Gheit, "the draft document on freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz proposed by the Gulf Cooperation Council should be supported"

Iranian supreme leader’s advisor seriously injured in shelling — TV

According to sources cited by the channel, the official is in critical condition

Moldovan Parliament approves withdrawal from CIS core treaties

The decision was enacted through a two-thirds majority vote during a session livestreamed on the legislative body's official website

European officials believe NATO ‘falling apart’ over US threats — Politico

European officials are discussing "how to handle the US president’s threats to quit NATO and what they would do if he followed through," the newspaper said

UK has 'extremely limited capability' to counter ballistic missile threats — expert

The Ministry of Defense and the Treasury have still not clarified, in his words, the amount of "sufficient funding" in this area, Colin Da Silva noted

US says France can't use America's GMLRS missiles with domestic MLRS — Euractiv

The French are now considering the creation of two new missile systems

Iran refuses cycle of talks with US followed by conflict — Foreign Ministry

"This is a catastrophe not only for Iran but for the entire region and beyond," Esmaeil Baghaei pointed out

Conflict around Iran catches major energy traders off guard — FT

According to the report, companies including Vitol, Trafigura, and Mercuria suffered losses due to logistical disruptions and poor market positions

Iran’s actions are measured response, not start of war or aggression — Pezeshkian

The president says that in its modern history, Iran "has never initiated a war"

Ukraine to receive $14.4 million in aid from Canada

The money is to be sent to the Ukraine Energy Support Fund, Prime Minister Yulia Sviridenko says

Russia’s LNG exports to Europe hit record high in March as Middle East supplies suspended

In January-March, EU imports of Russian LNG amounted to approximately 6.8 billion cubic meters, compared to 5.7 billion cubic meters a year earlier

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Spacecraft with NASA astronauts sets off for Moon for first time in over 50 years

The mission is scheduled to last 10 days

Kiev lost over 35,000 soldiers, mercenaries in March fighting — expert

Andrey Marochko attributed the heavy losses in the Battlegroup Center’s area of responsbility to Kiev's ongoing "massive assaults" in that sector

If Iran rejects deal with US, its oil infrastructure will be destroyed — Trump

According to the president, the US is trying to reach an agreement with Iran’s new leadership

US puts NATO at arms length as Brussels pushes escalation with Russia — expert

"The US is distancing itself from NATO, but continues its persistent militarization through its assets in the European military-industrial complex," Alexander Stepanov said

Press review: US may end Iran war as Ukraine drones strike Russia’s Ust-Luga

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Iran receives settlement proposals containing illogical demands — Foreign Ministry

Esmaeil Baghaei once again assured that no negotiations are currently underway between Iran and the United States

Iran’s parliament speaker says 7 million Iranians ready to defend their country with arms

On March 29, US President Donald Trump announced that US troops may as well seize Kharg Island

Iran’s IRGC claims attack on Amazon’s computing center in Bahrain

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps emphasized that this is only a first warning, and if the aggression continues, "the next companies, which have already been mentioned, will be punished much more severely"

US has four options regarding Iran, all fraught with risks — magazine

The analysts cited by The Atlantic say that Tehran sees its position as relatively strong thanks to its control over the Strait of Hormuz

US Senate won’t support potential attempt to withdraw from NATO — Democratic leader

Chuck Schumer thanked the secretary of state for passing a bill prohibiting US leaders from withdrawing the country from NATO without congressional approval

German gas importer urges Cabinet to interfere in storages filling situation

VNG CEO Ulf Heitmueller said that things are not moving in the right direction

Iranian deal offer, US stance: what we know about situation around Strait of Hormuz

Head of the Government Information Council Elias Hazrati said that Iran will invite European, Asian, and Arab countries that want to use the Strait of Hormuz to enter into an agreement

Placing Strait of Hormuz under third party control won't work — Russian MFA

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stressed that the move would violate international maritime law

Another batch of Krasnopol-M2 guided shells sent to troops — Rostec

Rostec noted that the Krasnopol-M2, actively used in Russia’s special military operation in Ukraine, is highly effective and boasts exceptional accuracy even at extreme ranges

Trump threatens to stop arms supplies to Ukraine — FT

Sources told the newspaper that in response, several countries issued a joint statement on March 19, pledging to support efforts to ensure the safe passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz

Putin holds meeting with Egyptian foreign minister

Badr Abdelatty arrived in Russia on a working visit during which he is also scheduled to hold talks with Russian officials

Strait of Hormuz will open after conclusion of conflict with Iran

The US president says that after the opening of the strait "gas prices will rapidly come back down"

Iranian diplomat slams Washington's demands on Tehran as ‘irrational’

Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei says that the republic does not participate in direct negotiations with the US

Two NATO reconnaissance aircraft spotted over Black Sea

The British aircraft traversed Dutch, German, and Central European airspace before beginning a flight along the Romanian Black Sea coast

Iran warns no survivors among invaders in case of ground operation

Earlier, US President Donald Trump said he did not rule out that US armed forces could attempt to seize Iran’s Kharg Island

Errol Musk says he believes Lavrov’s explanation of special military op reasons

Errol Musk mentioned that he had spoken with Sergey Lavrov about Donbass

Russia’s Shoigu pushes for collective efforts to resolve Middle East conflict

According to the Russian Security Council secretary, everybody is extremely concerned about the situation in the Middle East

Europe sets all-time record for LNG imports in March

The supplies from European terminals into the EU gas transmission system reached approximately 13.7 billion cubic meters in the period

Military presents Trump with plan to seize Iran’s enriched uranium stockpiles — newspaper

According to sources cited by the newspaper, the plan could require the airlift of "hundreds or thousands of troops and heavy equipment"

IN BRIEF: Putin, Pashinyan discuss Armenia elections and EAEU-EU ties

The Russian president expressed hope that local political processes in Armenia amid the election campaign would not harm relations between the two countries

Arctic Metagaz tanker attacked by sea drone from Libyan territory — radio station

According to radio station sources, the gas tanker was attacked by a Ukrainian Magura V5 sea drone

Iran’s judiciary chief killed in attack on Tehran, says Al Hadath

The government has not commented on the information

US exit from NATO to hurt Ukraine, set stage for high drama Ankara summit — newspaper

The NATO summit in Ankara is to take place on July 7 and 8

Russia develops long-range KVN-35 drone delivering warhead at distance of up to 35 km

The drone is capable of delivering a 3-kilogram warhead

First patient in Russia receives personalized domestic cancer vaccine — Health Ministry

The first patient to receive the vaccine was a 60-year-old resident of the Kursk Region

Russia is selling gas to Armenia much cheaper than European prices — Putin

The Russian president emphasized that the difference is huge

Iran carries out strikes at US AWACS aircraft, refueling planes at Ben Gurion Airport

According to the Iranian military, the strikes also targeted a US radar detection and missile and drone tracking facility in the United Arab Emirates

Gulf countries considering new oil export routes — FT

The region is discussing the expansion of existing capacity, including the Saudi Arabian East-West oil pipeline

Russia’s oil industry ready for seasonal growth in fuel demand — Energy Ministry

The minisry highlighted that there had been no disruptions in regional supply

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Iran denies Trump’s statements about destroying Iranian military capabilities

According to Ebrahim Zolfaghari, with such an assumption the US will only sink deeper into the swamp they are already in

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Russian troops liberated two communities in the Kharkov and Zaporozhye Regions over the past 24 hours, Russia’s Defense Ministry reported

7.4-magnitude quake recorded off coast of Indonesia

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The situation in the region is of universal concern, the Russian leader said

Putin to hold phone call with Saudi Crown Prince — Kremlin aide

The conversation will take place after the Russian president’s talks with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty

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The price of futures contracts of Brent crude oil for June 2026 delivery on London’s ICE has risen by more than 6.5% following Trump’s televised address

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Iran attacks US steel plants in UAE, Bahrain, strikes Israel's Rafael plant

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AI takes center stage in Iranian conflict — Russian parliamentarian

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Zelensky plea for Easter truce yet another PR stunt — Russian MFA

According to Maria Zakharova, this is simply "another step on the advice of his European, Western allies, to obtain a truce for a month or two in order to replenish losses, regroup and prepare the Ukrainian armed forces to go on fighting"

Russian MP warns of nuclear proliferation risk if Israel uses nukes against Iran

Alexey Pushkov noted that the question of whether Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will use nuclear weapons in Iran has been actively discussed on American television in recent days

NATO readies for clash with Russia, Kiev truce ploy: Foreign Ministry statements

As Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova noted, the NATO report again names Russia as the most significant threat to security, peace and stability in the Euro-Atlantic region

Russian foreign trade not declining since 2022, despite sanctions

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On April 2, 1996, Russian President Boris Yeltsin and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko signed in Moscow a treaty establishing the Community of Russia and Belarus, which envisaged the creation of a politically and economically integrated association

US close to achieving its key objectives in operation against Iran — Trump

The president says that the US armed forces "have been extraordinary"

Iranian MFA confirms US uses PrSM missile with tungsten pellets in strike on sports hall

"This is a despicable war crime," Esmaeil Baghaei said

Trilateral talks on hold, but Russia remains in touch with US on Ukraine — Kremlin aide

As Yury Ushakov added, Moscow sees that the Ukrainians are also actively negotiating with Washington

Iran destroys US bases in Middle East, says Houthi leader

Abdul Malik al-Houthi is convinced that the Iranian operations were accompanied by "heavy losses among officers and soldiers" of the armies of the United States and Israel

Thirty casualties of plane crash over Crimea: what is known about missing An-26 aircraft

The An-26 military transport aircraft crashed into a cliff

Ban on gasoline exports from Russia extended to producers of petroleum products

The restriction will not apply to supplies under international intergovernmental agreements

Russian Alexander Nevsky Brigade UAVs down 14 Ukrainian drones in one day

Over the past month, Russian air defense crews have shot down 102 large enemy UAVs

Russian-Arab summit would be useful for easing tensions in Middle East — Kremlin

The summit is not a matter of the near future, Dmitry Peskov said

Iran’s elite army unit dismisses US back-to-Stone-Age threats as Hollywood fantasies

Earlier, the US leader asserted that Iran’s Navy and Army have been obliterated, while the Islamic republic’s missile capabilities will soon be reduced to a minimum

Iran war becomes diplomatic disaster for Trump — Bloomberg

According to the agency, the conflict has strained ties with key European allies, exposed wealthy Gulf monarchies to deadly Iranian drone and missile attacks, and raised food, fertilizer and fuel prices in Europe and poorer countries across Asia

FACTBOX: What is known about new drone attack on TurkStream compressor station

The holding company clarified that the attack was carried out by three fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles

Putin orders Central Election Commission to pay special attention to election security

The Russian president asked the commission "to be in constant contact with the Interior Ministry, the National Guard, and other agencies"

US Gaza settlement plan remains declaration — Russia’s Security Council deputy secretary

Yury Kokov said that no practical steps had been taken to implement it

Iranian ambassador to Russia outlines Iran’s demands to US, Israel

Kazem Jalali said the Islamic Republic of Iran "has always welcomed any constructive and sincere efforts to establish stability and security in the region"

FACTBOX: What we know about Russia's liberation of Lugansk People’s Republic

The liberation was completed by units from Battlegroup West

Meeting between Putin, Pashinyan ends — Kremlin

The meeting started at about 2:30 p.m. GMT

IRGC launches several drones at American aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln — TV

According to the available data and satellite images, the aircraft carrier strike group left its former location and retreated deep into the Indian Ocean

Iran offers agreement on use of Strait of Hormuz

Tehran is ready to reach agreements with European, Asian, and Arab countries on this issue, Head of the Government Information Council Elias Hazrati said

Russian troops pound Ukrainian military-industrial, energy, transport sites over past day

The Ukrainian army lost roughly 1,305 troops in battles with Russian forces in all the frontline areas over the past 24 hours

Russian envoy lists EU countries which suffer most from Gulf oil shock

According to Kirill Dmitriev, Italy is highly dependent on gas ports, while Germany relies on imports and has a high demand for energy

US, Israel strike only minor military targets in Iran — army headquarters

"Iran's strategic military equipment is produced in locations you know nothing about and will never reach," Ebrahim Zolfaghari stated

EC to transfer €1.4 bln in revenue from Russian assets to Ukraine — statement

The funds will be directed "to sustain the Ukrainian State, preserve essential public services" and support the Ukrainian military

Turkey rejects compromise on Montreux Convention — Turkish Defense Ministry

Turkey’s approach to Black Sea security is based on maintaining the balance and stability ensured by the convention and on the leading role of the Black Sea littoral states, the ministry noted

Russia to send second oil vessel to Cuba — Energy Minister

Russia won't leave the Cubans hanging, Sergey Tsivilyov said

First batch of Skvorets-opto drones deployed to special military operation zone

Radio jamming of all kinds is not a problem for Skvorets-opto drones

Belarus does not want war, but is preparing for it — Lukashenko

"We cannot speak of any real peacetime,"

Dmitriev calls on UK, EU officials to acknowledge their mistakes, switch to Russian oil

The head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund commented on an address to the nation by US President Donald Trump, containing a remark that Washington does not need the Strait of Hormuz

Residential building damaged in Ufa as 147 drones attack Russian regions overnight

There were no casualties

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Dmitry Peskov said the current situation in the Middle East should be "shepherded to the peace track" as soon as possible

Modi says looks forward to further dialogue with Putin

The Indian prime minister conveyed warm regards to the Russian leader

IRGC says about 200 US troops killed, wounded in attack on airbase in Saudi Arabia

According to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the majority of those killed and wounded are fighter pilots

US reconnaissance drone detected off Iran coast calls Italian base home

The UAV, which has been repeatedly detected in this area, including near the city of Bushehr, has been in the air for multiple hours and is operating at an altitude above 14.5 km, according to the source

China blames US, Israel for crisis in Hormuz Strait

Official representative of the Chinese Foreign Ministry Mao Ning also called on the parties concerned to "work together to de-escalate the situation and prevent further negative effects of regional instability on global economic and energy security"

Russia, Ukraine are working hard on prisoner exchanges ahead of Easter — ombudswoman

Tatyana Moskalkova revealed that an agreement had been reached with Ukrainian authorities prior to the holiday to ensure that prisoners of war can observe Easter in a manner that honors their traditions

Grain supplies to Egypt, helping bring peace to Middle East: Putin’s statements

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Oil from Russian tanker to ease fuel shortage in Cuba in coming weeks — president

Miguel Diaz-Canel thanked Russia's leader Vladimir Putin for sending the tanker to the island