{{dayPoint.date | date : 'd MMMM yyyy'}}

{{newsPoint.title}}

{{newsPoint.title+ ' '}}

{{newsPoint.subtitle}}

US-Israeli strikes on Iran

No talks with US delegates planned during Araghchi’s visit to Pakistan — Iranian diplomat

Esmaeil Baghaei says: "Iran's observations would be conveyed to Pakistan"

DOHA, April 25. /TASS/. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has no plans of meeting with US delegates during his visit to Pakistan, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said.

"No meeting is planned to take place between Iran and the US. Iran's observations would be conveyed to Pakistan," he wrote on the X social network.

Baghaei said that Araghchi will be meeting with Pakistani high-level officials in concert with their ongoing mediation for ending the conflict in the Middle East.

Axios reporter Barak Ravid said on Friday that direct talks between the American and Iranian delegations in Islamabad would take place on April 27. White House Spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said US President's Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and businessman Jared Kushner will travel to Islamabad on Saturday, April 25, "to hear the Iranians out."

Tags

United States Iran Pakistan

Middle East conflict

At least six Lebanese people killed by Israeli strikes in past day — ministry

Two more people were wounded

West conducting political, diplomatic war against Russia in Balkans — senior diplomat

Alexander Grushko recalled that the West is waging a hybrid war against Russia in Ukraine

Plans for nuclear exercises near Russia's borders undermine strategic stability — MP

Leonid Slutsky said that it dangerous, first of all, for Poland and France

Bank of Russia uses AI technologies for analysis

The Bank of Russia does not use it when discussing the monetary policy, in decisions, Elvira Nabiullina said

Press review: Forty nations back Gulf vessel evacuation plan and Germany seeks to lead EU

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, April 24th

Protracted Iran conflict to be bad for everyone, in every way, Lavrov warns

The Russian foreign minister stressed that the situation is currently destabilizing throughout the world

Russia ready for dialogue with NATO if it improves security in Europe - senior diplomat

Russia is ready for dialogue with NATO if that helps improve security in Europe, but so far there is no positive agenda with the alliance, said Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko

Indian Navy declares Strait of Hormuz maritime zone of interest — newspaper

According to the Times of India, the range and intensity of external influences impacting national interests are expected to grow significantly in the coming years, requiring the Indian Navy to operate across an expanding geographical canvas

Fragments of downed drone damage three apartment buildings in Kaluga

No casualties were reported, regional Governor Vladislav Shapsha said

Two US nuclear submarines ‘closer to Russia,’ Trump says

"We always want to be ready", US president added

NATO officers in Ukraine and new anti-Russian sanctions: Foreign Ministry’s statements

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova pointed out that Brussels inflicts harm to itself and undermines its energy security by imposing sanctions against Moscow

IN BRIEF: Central Bank highlights on key rate policy and inflation

Inflationary risks have increased significantly in the Russian economy

Iran seizes Epaminondas vessel as it was used by US — agency

Tasnim reported that the Liberian-flagged vessel has repeatedly entered US ports over the past six months

Meteor-M satellite launched from Vostochny spaceport reaches orbit

The Soyuz-2.1b launch vehicle carrying the satellites blasted off from the Vostochny spaceport at 8:43 a.m. Moscow time (5:43 a.m. GMT)

S&P removes Russian and Belarusian bonds from its 11 indices

S&P Dow Jones Indices conducted a consultation with market participants

Top Iranian diplomat arrives in Pakistan — TV

According to the Iranian state television, Abbas Araghchi pays a return visit to Pakistan

Macron considers US to be unreliable ally

The French president said that "nobody is totally sure that this ally is reliable"

No talks with US delegates planned during Araghchi’s visit to Pakistan — Iranian diplomat

Esmaeil Baghaei says: "Iran's observations would be conveyed to Pakistan"

Negative effect for Russia to grow from protracted conflict in Middle East

The situation in the Middle East remains an important peril for the Russian economy as regards external conditions, Elvira Nabiullina noted

Slovak PM sees resumption of Druzhba oil supplies as more important than Kiev funding

Robert Fico said the Slovak government did not approve the loan and is not taking part in it

Russian military to get equivalents of US missile defense systems soon — corporation

Russia is developing an equivalent of the THAAD and GMD missile defense systems

Russian aviation needs 644 airplanes by 2030 — Transport Ministry

The Russian aircraft fleet consists of 1,089 airplanes at present, including 689 foreign ones and 391 domestically produced

Attack by surface drones on Sevastopol repelled, no facilities damaged

Earlier, Sevastopol Governor Mikhail Razvozhayev reported that the Black Sea Fleet was repelling an attack by surface drones at Sevastopol’s outer anchorage

Russian troops pound Ukrainian army’s energy, transport infrastructure over past day

According to the latest figures, the Ukrainian army lost more than 1,325 troops in battles with Russian forces in all the frontline areas over the past 24 hours

Many countries to be interested in buying Russia’s Su-75 fighter — Malaysian journalist

According to Jonathan Edward, Western fighter jets have recently demonstrated a lack of readiness for the realities of modern combat

Project to build Russian Orbital Station approved after meeting with Putin — Roscosmos

"Funds have been allocated. Main parameters have been determined," Yuri Borisov said

US deploys some 15,000 troops in Mideast with three aircraft carrier strike groups

CENTCOM also reported that for the first time in decades, three aircraft carriers are operating in the Middle East at the same time

Russian MFA calls Paris, Warsaw nuclear drill plans provocative

The relevant activities of the European Union and NATO countries in the military-nuclear sphere are being monitored by Russia very closely, Maria Zakharova said

Russian female wrestlers win six medals at 2026 European Wrestling Championship

Two silver and four bronze medals were awarded to the athletes

Diplomats from BRICS countries call for cessation of hostilities in Gulf region

The participants reiterated their countries’ commitment to closer foreign policy coordination

Russian stock market closes lower as major indices retreat

The yuan edged down by 9 kopecks to 10.98 rubles

US should respect Russia’s interests for mutually beneficial cooperation — Lavrov

Later, the Russian Foreign Minister predicted, the Americans will say that they want to cooperate with Russia

Russia-China relations developing beautifully — Chinese defense minister

Dong Jun said he was ready to use all opportunities to strengthen strategic cooperation and expand mutually beneficial cooperation with the Russian military

Direct US-Iran talks in Islamabad to be held on April 27 — Axios reporter

Barak Ravid says the meeting may take place on Monday, after businessman Jared Kushner and Special US Envoy Steve Witkoff hold separate bilateral talks with the Pakistani mediators

Russian envoy taken aback by newspaper article on Germany’s military might

The paper pointed out that Germany’s new military strategy "means becoming the strongest conventional army in Europe"

Slovakian PM Fico says Russian President Putin is ‘very pragmatic’

"It is always very interesting to exchange opinions with him," Robert Fico said

Lavrov warns Palestinian issue time bomb waiting to explode

According to the Russian foreign minister, "the injustice towards the Palestinians and the numerous UN decisions on the need for two states," of which "only half have been implemented," is widely felt in the Arab world, especially "on the Arab street"

Russian Defense Ministry starts mass production of Tsirkon missiles - Shoigu

Russian Defense Ministry to continue production of Kinzhal missiles

Ukrainian Armed Forces suffered around 90,000 casualties during counter-offensive — Shoigu

"At the same time, no tactically significant successes were made on the battlefield," he said

Kremlin calls Tusk's latest statements on Russia another manifestation of Russophobia

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk earlier told the Financial Times that Russia could allegedly soon attack one of the NATO countries

Air defense, EW systems repelled drone attack — Sevastopol Governor

One unmanned aerial vehicle lost control and fell in a tree line about 5 km away from the city, Mikhail Razvozhaev said

Russian Transport Ministry estimates civilian drone fleet at 145,000

The Ministry of Transport also highlighted the key tasks for further development of the sector in its papers

Kiev regime sees continued war as security guarantee in itself — Russia’s top diplomat

Sergey Lavrov said the West tells Vladimir Zelensky that the most important thing now is to stop the fighting to get the security guarantees

US president calls journalist ‘vile person of the year’

Donald Trump says that the Candace Owens' attack on the first lady of France "is despicable"

Russia's Western Military District gets newest Tornado-G multiple rocket launchers

The new 122-mm Tornado-G MRLS will replace the BM-21 Grad system

Japan assures Russia that its arms exports won't find way to Ukraine — diplomat

Tokyo also intends to tighten controls over compliance with end-user certification requirements, Maria Zakharova said

Roscosmos sues its subsidiary over satellite that stopped working in orbit

Under the law, Roscosmos is obliged to seek compensation for the faulty satellite and the launch services

More explosions reported in Ukraine’s Khmelnitsky Region

In the early hours of Wednesday, Ukrainian media said multiple blasts had rocked the Ukrainian regions of Khmelnitsky and Poltava, including Mirgorod, a town located next to a major military airfield, and Kremenchug, housing the country’s largest oil refinery

State Duma reappoints Nabiullina as Central Bank chief for new term

Elvira Nabiullina became the Central Bank chief in June 2013

EU to never get back €90 billion allocated to Ukraine — Medvedev

The politician emphasized that it was money from Europeans' pockets

Iran calls on SCO to develop cooperation in area of arms control

Iranian Ambassador to Russia Kazem Jalali noted that it is necessary to use the SCO’s crisis-settlement potential and organize special meetings to strengthen arms control mechanisms

Vice president Vance may join US delegation to talks with Iran — TV

Al Hadath reported that the format of the consultations is yet to be determined

Russia delivers 30 tonnes of humanitarian aid to Ukrainian residents from Belgorod region

According to the ministry, the cargo includes food products: cereals, canned meat and fish, confectionery and bakery products, sweets, bottled drinking water

Russia’s Baltic Fleet naval ship holds gun exercise

The gun exercise scenario included the radiation, chemical, and biological hazards, water ingress, and fire in the compartment alerts

West declares 'open war' against Russia, using Ukraine as 'arrowhead' — Lavrov

The Russian foreign minister said the Kiev regime and the Ukrainian state are openly being used as a geopolitical battering ram

Trump says Iran ready for negotiations — Reuters

Iran intends to make an offer in response to US demands, the US president says

FACTBOX: Russia lays down another minesweeping ship, Project 12700 in focus

Project 12700 minesweepers are equipped with an automated control system, contact and magnetic sweeps, and modern sonar systems, which are mounted both on the ship itself and on remotely operated and autonomous vehicles

US justice department to resume federal executions, introduce firing squads as method

The US Justice Department noted that the prior administration failed to live up to its duty to protect the American people

Moskva cruiser sank while being towed in a storm — Russian Defense Ministry

"During the towing of the Moskva cruiser to the designation port, the ship lost stability due to hull damage, sustained during the detonation of ammunition because of a fire. Amid the heavy storm, the ship sank," the Ministry said.

IN BRIEF: Russia, Ukraine hold new POW exchange under '193 for 193' formula

All the Russian servicemen will be brought to Russia for treatment and rehabilitation at medical institutions of the Russian Defense Ministry

ESA mulls joining Russian-Chinese lunar station project

Russia and China are planning to use their joint experience and scientific technologies to create a roadmap for building a station on the Moon

Temporary moratorium on NATO expansion unacceptable for Russia — Deputy Foreign Minister

According to Sergey Ryabkov, Russia cannot be satisfied with yet another "trick" like it did before

Russia’s Soyuz 2.1b rocket carrying remote sensing satellite takes off from Baikonur

According to Roscosmos, the satellite will enter its intended orbit nine and a half minutes after the takeoff

Russia launches serial production of combat robots

Iran to make no concessions in talks with US — Iranian vice president

Esmail Saghab Esfahani emphasized that the enemy had failed to achieve any of the goals

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

Russia’s Battlegroup Center inflicted more than 2,295 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed 29 enemy armored combat vehicles in its area of responsibility over the week, the Defense Ministry reported

Kiev troops shell DPR five times in past day, four wounded

No damage to residential buildings or civilian infrastructure was reported

Top Iranian diplomat not to meet with US envoys while in Pakistan — agency

According to Tasnim, Abbas Araghchi’s visit to Pakistan is not linked with talks with the United States

Russian sports chief signs new decree on foreign players' limit in Russia’s football clubs

This regulation also means that instead of a limit on the legionnaires’ number playing on the field at the same time, the figure must be stipulated by a roster application from each football club prior to the season

Launch of Luna-26, Luna-27 may be postponed, space chief Rogozin says

After its trials are concluded, the control launch date will be determined

West ignores environmental consequences of Ukrainian attacks on Black Sea coast — diplomat

Accordig to Maria Zakharova, the contaminated area amounts to about ten thousand square meters

Russia reaffirms solidarity with Havana amid US escalation around Cuba — MFA

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stressed that it is only the United States that is seeking Cuba’s so-called liberation

Russia, China jointly develop high-tech weapons — Putin

The Russian president described the cooperation between Russia and China as "an absolutely comprehensive partnership of strategic nature"

Russian cabinet greenlights talks between Roscosmos, NASA on seat swaps

The talks were proposed by Roscosmos and approved by the Russian Foreign Ministry and other government agencies

Latvia’s authorities admit Ukrainian drones penetrate country's airspace

These drones are equipped with explosives, Latvian Finance Minister Arvils Aseradens said

Bank of Russia cuts key rate to 14.5% per annum: what is known about decision

Meanwhile, measures of underlying price growth have not yet decreased and remain in the range of 4-5% in annualized terms, as estimated by the Bank of Russia

78.03% Russians support constitutional amendments - CEC after counting 99% of ballots

According to the CEC, as many as 21.16% of votes were against

Bank of Russia cuts key rate for third consecutive time since start of year

The regulator noted that it would assess the need for further key rate cuts at its upcoming meetings

Trump’s rhetoric pushes Tehran away from talks with Washington — Bloomberg

According to the report, the rhetoric of the American leader has already damaged the ongoing diplomatic efforts with the participation of intermediaries

Russia, Serbia set goal to reach trade turnover of 2022 in coming years — Serbian minister

Nenad Popovic recalled that it amounted to $4.3 billion

Modern warfare becoming clash of energy potentials — Russian deputy defense minister

Vasily Osmakov said the evolving pace and nature of combat operations place new demands on the energy supply of troops

EU summit in Cyprus demonstrates rift over Ukraine’s membership

Politico reported that the Estonian prime minister favored "accelerating" Ukraine’s membership, while his Croatian counterpart all but scoffed at the idea of Kiev joining any time soon

One killed, dozens wounded in bus crash near St. Petersburg

A child was among the injured

Roscosmos resumes talks on ExoMars mission with European Space Agency — head

In his words, the equipment and Kazachok landing platform for the mission have the potential for launch in 2024

Entire units of Ukrainian motorized infantry brigade missing near Volchansk

The liberation of Volchansk by troops of Russia’s Battlegroup North was reported on December 1, 2025

Moscow prepares official invitations for participants in Russia-ASEAN summit — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov explained that any potential bilateral meetings at the upcoming summit would depend on the progress of preparations

Ukrainian military increases attacks on Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant trying sow panic

Currently, the plant is solely powered by the 330 kV Ferrosplavnaya-1 transmission line, Alexey Likhachev said

Senior SCO diplomats call for ending aggression against Iran — Russian Foreign Ministry

The senior diplomats also unanimously stated the need for forming a more representative, democratic, and fair multipolar world order, with the United Nations playing the pivotal coordinating role

Iranian ambassador to Russia outlines conditions for talks with US

According to Kazem Jalali, if there are talks, they must be fair and aimed at achieving lasting peace

Russia’s fiber-optic drones 'driving Ukrainian soldiers crazy' in special op zone — expert

"Often, the drone begins moving toward its target from a distance of about 15 meters, when the enemy doesn’t even have time to take their machine gun off safety mode," the source said

Internet blackout in Iran continues for nearly eight weeks - NetBlocks

It's now the 56th day of Iran's internet blackout

Soyuz spacecraft carrying three space travelers undocks from ISS

Russian cosmonaut Alexander Misurkin and two NASA astronauts - Joseph Acaba and Mark Vande Hei - will return to Earth after spending 168 days in space

Immediate EU accession for Ukraine impossible — German chancellor

Friedrich Merz said he wanted to achieve closer involvement of Ukraine in the work of European institutions

Trump to send Witkoff, Kushner to Pakistan for talks with Iran — CNN

According to the sources, Vice President JD Vance does not plan to participate in the talks for now

Top Russian, UAE diplomats call for talks on Strait of Hormuz

Apart from that, the two top diplomats recalled that a free trade agreement between the Eurasian Economic Union and the United Arab Emirates will soon come into force

Lots to talk about at G20 summit in Miami, Kremlin says

Dmitry Peskov noted that Russia would be adequately represented at the event

Europe stops importing Russian LNG on short-term contracts

The ban took effect on April 25, while a significant decline in Russian LNG sales to Europe should be expected no earlier than in 2027

Europeans, Zelensky want to knock Americans off Anchorage course — Lavrov

The top Russian diplomat added that the West is encouraging the Zelensky regime to uproot everything Russian in the Ukrainian canonical Orthodox Church

EU knows Russia’s 'red lines' on Ukraine, clarification not needed — Lavrov

The Russian foreign minister drew attention to the statements of some EU figures that "at some stage, not now, later, we will have to talk with Russia to clarify its ‘red lines’ and show it our own"

At least six Lebanese people killed by Israeli strikes in past day — ministry

Two more people were wounded

Photos and videos from Bucha staged by Kiev regime for Western media — defense ministry

"The photos and videos from Bucha are fakes staged by the Kiev regime for the Western media," it stressed