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

{{newsPoint.title}}

{{newsPoint.title+ ' '}}

{{newsPoint.subtitle}}

US-Israeli strikes on Iran

IDF to deal 'crushing blow' to Iran, if it attacks Israel — Ynet

Defense Minister Israel Katz stressed that Israel is ready for any development of events

TEL AVIV, July 23. /TASS/. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) will deal "a crushing blow" to Iran, if it attacks the Jewish state, Defense Minister Israel Katz warned, according to the Ynet portal.

"We are ready for any development of events. If Iran attacks Israel, we will deal a crushing blow," he said.

Earlier on Thursday, US President Donald Trump said that he was considering carrying out a massive attack on Iran, and the strikes would be harder than before. According to the American leader, Israel will "join the attack in two minutes" if requested by the United States. However, he added that Washington "does not need anyone" to launch a new military operation. Trump did not specify a deadline for making a decision.

The United States and Israel started a war with Iran on February 28. In June, Washington and Tehran signed a memorandum of understanding providing for an immediate cessation of hostilities on all fronts, including in Lebanon. However, on the night of July 8, the United States resumed large-scale strikes against Iran, accusing it of violating the terms of the agreements regarding the Strait of Hormuz.

Tags

Venezuela being run by US Secretary of Energy — Trump

Donald Trump asserted that the US has a great relationship with Venezuela

EU expands sanctions against Russian financial and banking sectors

The Council is imposing asset freezes and a prohibition to make funds available to 94 banks and major financial institutions, as well as to an important figure in Russia’s banking establishment

Lavrov-Rubio conversation confirmed hope for common sense, says senior Russian legislator

Grigory Karasin emphasized that objective information regarding the situation along the engagement line, as well as the destructive role played by Europe, should prove beneficial for Washington

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

The Ukrainian army lost roughly 1,270 troops in battles with Russian forces in all the frontline areas over the past 24 hours

Romania faces fuel crisis due to Ukrainian attacks on CPC tankers in Black Sea — expert

Adrian Negrescu said that crude oil supplies via the Caspian Pipeline Consortium system to the Novorossiysk terminal were cut off

Most Moldovans oppose unification with Romania, NATO accession — poll

The poll surveyed 1,015 respondents between July 10 and 20

US air campaign against Iran running out of steam — Politico

According to the report, the conflict is unlikely to shift decisively without a major escalation, including the deployment of ground forces

Russia cuts supply route serving Ukrainian troops near Pisarevka in Sumy Region — expert

According to Andrey Marochko, the Krovnoye-Khoten road has come under the near-total control of the Russian military

Ukraine tries to prevent Russia evacuating citizens from Konstantinovka — officer

The deputy commander said the enemy fires back at the civilian population while the evacuation is underway

US may hit terrorist group in Mali — Washington Post

Senior US officials, however, disagree over whether to proceed with attacking the militant group

IN BRIEF: Ukrainian military reshuffle with new commander-in-chief, General Staff head

Under Ukraine’s national security law, Zelensky may appoint a new commander-in-chief only upon the recommendation of a serving defense minister, a position that is currently vacant

Zelensky effectively launches Fedorov’s presidential campaign himself — Rada member

Maryana Bezuglaya recalled that Vladimir Zelensky and Mikhail Fedorov had worked together for years

Three tankers attempt to traverse Strait of Hormuz, explosion occurs on one of them — IRGC

According to the statement, the other two turned around at full speed and retreated

West makes no secret that it needs Ukraine for resources — Russia’s UN mission

Deputy Permanent Representative Dmitry Chumakov separately said that during the military interventions in Iraq, Libya, and Syria "the battle for political clout was accompanied by a struggle for natural resources"

US deploying forces to Middle East preparing to expand operations against Iran — WSJ

Sources cited by the newspaper say that special operations forces have been deployed to the Middle East from bases in the US over the past week

Putin highlightes external attempts to destabilize Russia's energy sector

The Russian leader said that the condition of key sectors of the domestic economy remains stable

Talks between Lavrov, Rubio have concluded, lasting more than half hour

During the conversation, the parties planned to focus particular attention on the settlement of the conflict in Ukraine

Global trade up 12.5% amid Strait of Hormuz shipping disruptions — UNCTAD

The organization said that "a significant share of the increase reflects higher prices rather than stronger trade volumes"

Russian forces pound Ukrainian ports, vessels, logistics centers used for military goals

Russian ground-based and air-launched precision-guided weapons and attack UAVs hit a dry cargo ship at the Chernomorsk port as it was unloading supplies intended for the Ukrainian armed forces

Ukraine’s attack on Voronezh Region causes casualties, serious consequences

Governor Alexander Gusev says air defense forces spent the night repelling the attack on civilian targets, it is too early to provide full details

US to use another ceasefire with Iran to plan ground operation — expert

Ruhollah Modabber believes that the ten-day ceasefire period will enable the US to arrange logistical routes and redeploy troops without worrying about a potential Iranian attack against its targets

Syrsky knew about shady procurement schemes, Germany unhappy with his dismissal — sources

The Russian military sources say that German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul explicitly stated that he would review Vladimir Zelensky's personnel decisions

Zelensky sacks military chief under pressure from Europe — media

Vladimir Zelensky reportedly had no plans to replace the military chief despite nationwide protests

Press review: Zelensky gives army chief the heave-ho and US, Saudi Arabia tie nuclear knot

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, July 23rd

US forces launching another series of strikes against Iran — Central Command

The authority asserts that it is attacking military targets

Japan's foreign minister recounts first contact with Russian counterpart in six years

Toshimitsu Motegi emphasized the importance of managing Japan-Russia relations thoughtfully

Pentagon blacklists 32 Russian research institutes, universities to 'protect US tech'

The decision means that the Pentagon will not engage in research cooperation with those organizations it has placed on this list

Aftermath of Ukrainian drone attack on Russian regions, boy killed in Voronezh Region

One person was killed and four others, including two children, were injured in a Ukrainian attack on Crimea

EU ambassadors fail to agree on 21st package of anti-Russian sanctions — source

The European commission earlier proposed to ambassadors a draft version of its sanctions package with softer restrictions on Russian LNG transportation to third countries by European tankers

Putin to hold meeting with lawmakers on July 27 — Kremlin

According to Spokesman Dmitry Peskov, the discussion is expected to focus on results of the work of the current convocation

Kiev has no military commanders who can defeat Russia — Zaporozhye official

Oleg Murachev said that one of Mikhail Drapaty’s possible options to prove his mettle after the appointment is to rely on drones and strikes on civilians and civilian infrastructure

Trump doing everything he can to secure peace in Ukraine — US envoy to UN

Mike Waltz acknowledged that the US president had underestimated the complexity of the task when he previously suggested that he could resolve the Ukrainian conflict in as little as a day

Ukrainian agriculture to suffer most from country's port closure — expert

Alexander Dudchak said that recently grain terminals in Ukrainian ports reduced their operations by about a third, and cargo transshipment volumes began to decline sharply

It could take US weeks to degrade Iran’s missile capabilities — FT

According to the report, much will depend on whether US forces can destroy mobile launchers

One killed, three injured as Turkish cargo ship en route from Russia hit in Black Sea

According to Oksijen newspaper, the attack occurred in international waters off the coast of Turkey's Samsun province

Combat trainer aircraft crashes in Moscow Region — Russian Defense Ministry

The flight was carried out without ammunition

Ukraine faces its toughest winter in five years due to vulnerable power grid

Work to protect Kiev’s critical infrastructure only began in May 2026 and is 49% complete

Russian forces strike over two dozen vessels carrying cargoes for Ukraine since July 11

Four dry-cargo ships and two sea bulkers carrying military cargoes for the Ukrainian armed forces to the ports of Odessa and Chernomorsk were struck overnight to July 22, and also during the day

Two people killed, 11 wounded following strike on checkpoint at Iran-Iraq border — TV

Local authorities say that the border crossing continues to operate

EU may allow Greece to continue transporting Russian LNG — FT

According to sources cited by the newspaper, the agreement will allow companies to continue transporting Russian LNG to third countries for 12 months with the possibility of extension, while volumes will be capped at 2025 levels

Yemeni Houthis attack two Saudi Arabian oil tankers — statement

The Houthis emphasized that they also succeeded in forcing about ten vessels to turn back

Russia not to concede to West in confrontation in Ukraine — expert

Hanna Notte added that since the beginning of the Ukrainian crisis, Moscow has gained support from non-Western countries that have refused to make "a binary choice between Russia and the West"

Damage from Ukrainian forces actions exceeds $12.7 bln — Investigative Committee chief

Alexander Bastrykin added that efforts to assess the full scale of damage caused by Ukrainian forces are ongoing

EC acknowledges EU failed to ban entry for participants in Russia's military operation

The European Commission president made no mention of the ban on transporting Russian liquefied natural gas to third countries

US Department of Energy announces signing of nuclear program deal with Saudi Arabia

The authority reports that the agreement is designed for several decades and is intended to provide "great access for American companies in the Saudi nuclear energy program"

Lavrov refutes Kiev’s lies about situation at front to Rubio — MP

The Russian foreign minister also confirmed the readiness of the Russian side for negotiations

Russia, Iran reaffirm commitment to Strategic Partnership Treaty — Russian MFA

An assistant to the Iranian Foreign Minister and Director General for Eurasian Affairs at the Iranian Foreign Ministry, Manouchehr Moradi, was received by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin

Russian troops control greater part of Pisarevka in Sumy Region — expert

Andrey Marochko says a portion of the settlement remains in the so-called gray zone

Ukrainian army retreating from Pisarevka in Sumy Region to Khoten as Russia advances

According to Andrey Marochko, Russian troops regularly strike Khoten with fire

Russian Armed Forces liberate Belitskoye in DPR: what's known

The Russian Armed Forces are conducting measures to search for and eliminate Ukrainian soldiers still hiding in the basements

Russian embassy calls on Berlin to tone down anti-Russian rhetoric

According to the statement, loud propaganda accusations containing baseless speculations and false claims are regularly circulated against Russia

Zelensky confirms that ships cannot enter Ukrainian ports

Earlier, Agrarian Policy and Food Minister Taras Vysotsky said that carriers had suspended operations with Ukrainian sea ports starting on July 22

Russia observing positive momentum in special military operation — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov said that Moscow is open to negotiations

Russian diplomat warns of rising risks to shipping in Strait of Hormuz, Red Sea

Maria Zakharova says tensions in the Persian Gulf area are escalating

Conflict to go beyond regional borders if Trump delivers on his threats — Iranian military

The Iranian armed forces emphasized that Washington’s continuous threats will only make the conflict to expand in the region and even to go beyond its borders

FACTBOX: Oil price cap freeze, bank restrictions in EU’s 21st sanctions package

The EU has banned its banks from conducting cross-border transactions with 32 Russian banks, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said

Tanker damaged by projectile off Saudi Arabian coast — UK Maritime Trade Operations

There have been no reports of casualties

Putin discusses weapons materials production with Russia’s Security Council

The head of state noted that Russia is one of the few countries manufacturing materials needed for the production of advanced weapons and the modernization of existing ones

Iran continues to produce missiles at facilities unknown to US — IRNA

The production of drones and missiles in Iran did not stop during the war or during the ceasefire

FACTBOX: Putin outlines state of economy, fuel market, regional support

The key sectors of the Russian economy remain resilient, the Russian president said

Moscow refuses to recognize G20 decisions made without it — Russian diplomat

Marat Berdyev commented on the Group of Twenty’s move to bar Russian officials from G20 events

US completes strikes on Iran — Central Command

According to the statement, US forces struck maritime capabilities, missile and drone storage facilities, coastal surveillance sites, and air defense assets

Former Ukrainian soldier recounts story of his desertion, coming to Russia

According to Vladimir Lipka, while he was serving in the Sumy area, he saw Americans in the ranks of the Ukrainian armed forces

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

The Ukrainian army lost roughly 1,420 troops in battles with Russian forces in all the frontline areas over the past 24 hours

US administration refuses to transfer military aid worth $400 million to Kiev — senator

Dick Durbin says the funds are unavailable until the next president is in office

Russian ambassador explains special military op rationale, aims to Czech foreign minister

According to Anna Ponomaryova, appeals for the "end of the war" are baffling, coming from a high-ranking official of a country that is actively producing weapons and supplying them to the conflict zone for Ukraine

FACTBOX: What is known about flight altitude restrictions in Moscow air hub area

Transit flights through the Moscow aviation hub are prohibited

Press review: Houthis add new wrinkle to Mideast tailspin as UN stuck in bystander role

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, July 22nd

Russian drones strike five ships transporting cargo for Ukrainian military

The ministry published what it described "objective control footage of the July 22 strikes involving Geran-4 Seeker drones on four vessels of the dry cargo carrier type and one bulk-carrier-type ship in the waters of the Black Sea and in the port of Chernomorsk

Iranian military sees possibility of allowing some ships to cross Strait of Hormuz

Vessels are allowed to pass "in accordance with the established route and in line with the previously announced rules," the statement read

Zelensky admits Ukraine not yet prepared for winter

Vladimir Zelensky said that it is crucial to step up the work

Lavrov reaffirms Russia’s commitment to Alaska agreements at meeting with Rubio

In addition, the top Russian diplomat emphasized that further weapons supplies to Kiev were unacceptable, the Russian foreign minister said

Ukrainian forces under Syrsky lost control of 11,500 square kilometers

Despite mounting evidence, the Ukrainian military leadership stubbornly denied the deteriorating situation

Ukraine's losses from port shutdown estimated at $2 bln per month

An alternative export route runs through Romanian ports, but its capacity is limited

Ukraine's security services try to trick Russia into striking civilian sites-intel officer

A military intelligence officer cited as an example the received coordinates of a target in Zaporozhye transmitted by the Ukrainian security services several days ago

Lavrov to ask Rubio for clarification about Trump's comments on Ukraine

The Russian foreign minister recalled that Marco Rubio also commented on the Anchorage outcome in a rather ambiguous way

Nobody in region to be allowed to sell oil if Iran denied this opportunity — speaker

Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf added that security in the strait is possible only if no American forces are present there

Top US diplomat calls ICC 'stupid organization'

According to Marco Rubio, the US will not tolerate it if the ICC attempts to take action against American citizens now or in the future

Ukrainian troops shell DPR settlements 28 times in 24 hours firing 30 rounds of ammunition

Two civilians were killed and ten injured

Nearly 1,500 killed in Ukrainian attacks across Russia since 2022 — top investigator

Alexander Bastrykin said the cases document artillery and missile strikes, drone attacks, and cross-border incursions carried out by Ukrainian nationalists

US masking unsavory actions with myth of Russian threat in Mexico — Russian embassy

They are blatantly speculative in nature and serve narrow political ends

Trump believes Iran will soon be ready to strike deal with US

The US president says that at this point, every time Iran makes a deal "they want to change it"

Zelensky reports holding 'important' conversation with US envoys Witkoff, Kushner

Vladimir Zelensky said the teams remain in close contact

Maersk suspends operations at one of Ukraine's largest ports

The company indicated that the vessel MEDKON MIRA V.629S with import cargo scheduled for discharge at Chernomorsk has been diverted to the Romanian port of Constanta

US rejects Iran’s claim of control over Strait of Hormuz

Commercial vessels continue to use the strait with US military support, CENTCOM said

Lavrov, Rubio have begun talks in Manila

The negotiations are taking place on the sidelines of ASEAN-related events

Russian forces carry out more strikes on Ukrainian ports, infrastructure facilities

Strikes on the port of Odessa hit infrastructure facilities used to unload and store military cargo

EU waging proxy war against Russia but unable to change course of conflict — politician

Armando Mema, a member of Finland’s Freedom Alliance, specified that the EU finances Ukraine "to fight a war it cannot win"

UAVs attack energy facility in Ulyanovsk Region — governor

Alexey Russkikh says that emergency services are working at the scene

US to retaliate against Iran for Houthi attacks — Trump

Earlier on Thursday, the Houthis fired ballistic missiles and drones at two oil tankers of the kingdom, which violated their naval blockade of Saudi Arabia

Russia’s Lavrov arrives in Kyrgyzstan to take part in meeting of SCO foreign ministers

The ministers are expected to discuss current issues of the international and regional agenda, including the situation in the SCO space, ensuring security and stability

EU ambassadors fail to agree on 21st package of anti-Russian sanctions — source

According to earlier reports by Politico and Bloomberg, the proposed LNG transportation ban is being blocked by Greece, which fears that its shipping companies may suffer serious losses as a result

Ukraine’s attack being repelled in Sevastopol, four drones shot down

Governor Mikhail Razvozhayev says air defense systems and mobile fire groups are in action

Failure of information war against Russia forces US to revise approaches — expert

Sergey Grinyaev noted that the US and its allies had been unable to break the will of the Russian people or weaken the Russian leadership

Meeting with Rubio, nuclear arms, US involvement in Kiev's attacks: Lavrov's statements

Russia is prepared for any development in the context of the EU militarization, the Russian foreign minister noted

US initiates meeting between Rubio, Lavrov — diplomatic source

Journalists were allowed into the room briefly to film the opening of the meeting

IN BRIEF: What is known about Wildberries operations after drone attacks

Wildberries warehouse operations in Krasnodar and Nevinnomyssk have been suspended, according to the WB Partners Telegram channel

US may expand Iran operation within days — media

According to the report, Donald Trump is still considering returning to major combat operations against Iran

Kremlin spokesman addresses US contact, nuclear non-proliferation, peaceful nuclear energy

Dmitry Peskov said that Russia and the United States maintain contact on Ukraine but it would be premature to say that efforts to resolve the conflict are being stepped up

Meeting between Rubio, Lavrov on sidelines of ASEAN events scheduled for 06:50 Moscow time

The schedule is subject to change, the US State Department warned without elaborating

FACTBOX: Key takeaways from the Lavrov-Rubio meeting

The Russian foreign minister reaffirmed Russia's readiness to settle the conflict in Ukraine and its commitment to the agreements reached in Anchorage