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Trump needs to decide what to do with US troops in Middle East — Axios

According to the report, the US president previously ordered the army to maintain the current troop levels in the Middle East until the end of the year to remain prepared for a possible resumption of full·scale combat operations against Iran

WASHINGTON, September 17. /TASS/. President Donald Trump needs to decide soon on what to do with US troops stationed in the Middle East, as they cannot stay there in their current numbers for long, Axios quoted sources as saying.

According to them, Trump previously ordered the army to maintain the current troop levels in the Middle East until the end of the year to remain prepared for a possible resumption of full·scale combat operations against Iran. The sources said that Trump needs to decide on further actions soon given that the US military will not be able to sustain those levels for that long.

"At some point you have to decide what is the end game," one of the officials said.

Trump told Axios in an interview that he intends to make an important decision on Iran soon: whether he wants to invade and destroy it or not.

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White House develops strategy for post-war containment of Iran — Axios

The plan, still in the early stages of drafting, is intended to guide the US approach to the Middle East after the Iran war ends and in the final two years of Trump's term

Trump hopes war with Iran about to end

The US president says that the Iranian side had expressed a desire to strike a peace deal

Russia calls on the West at UN to halt dangerous actions regarding Iran

Vasily Nebenzya noted that the only way to resolve disputes is through "political and diplomatic efforts based on taking into account the interests of all parties and the legitimate rights of Tehran"

US orbital weapon becomes part of arsenal against Russian, Chinese satellites — Bloomberg

The report says the information that the US Air Force now has a weapon in space has stirred numerous speculations about its capabilities

Russia to find ways to respond to security challenges — Lavrov

"Whereas the responsibility for the consequences of reckless anti-Russian actions will be held by their initiators, of course," the Russian foreign minister added

Trump threatens to cut trade ties with Europe after interest rate hike

The US president said that Washington is carrying European nations with a $200 billion trade deficit

Russia’s Su-57E fighter demonstrates exceptional flight range with internal tanks — Rostec

The state corporation noted that the flight was completed with a single stopover, after which the aircraft still had enough fuel for another 1,000 km

IN BRIEF: Top Russian diplomat on West preparing for war, Moscow’s response to challenges

Europe’s support for the Nazi regime in Kiev is a disgrace, Sergey Lavrov said

Dialogue with Afghanistan should be free from pressure, blackmail — Russia’s UN envoy

Vasily Nebenzya said that "a trust-based dialogue with the authorities" is part of Russia's approach

Shoigu calls treatment of Russian-backed businesses in Armenia a 'hostile takeover'

The Russian Security Council secretary emphasized that an unfriendly line and blatant "double standards" are clear

NATO member states plot aggression against Russia by 2029/2030 — diplomat

"Europe makes no secret of the fact that it is modernizing the airport network, logistics, railway crossings and bridges as well as their integration into the so-called military Schengen system that is subordinated to a long-term military confrontation with Russia," Yulia Zhdanova said

Ukrainian attacks leave civilian killed, 7 others injured in DPR over past day — leader

Denis Pushilin reported that 11 houses were damaged from actions by the Ukrainian army

Russia’s chief election official to report on readiness for parliamentary vote

Ella Pamfilova said there is no shortage of threats to the successful holding of the elections

Canada formally applies to join northern Europe’s military initiative

The prime ministers of Canada and the UK also agreed during their meeting to deepen cooperation on frontier technologies, including development and use of AI

India to take necessary measures following US adoption of Russia-Iran sanctions act — MFA

According to the statement, India remains firmly committed to ensuring energy security

Iran, Oman agree on plan to reopen Strait of Hormuz — top diplomat

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran believes that the memorandum of understanding between the US and Iran remains in force

Crew-13 mission comprising Russian cosmonaut Teteryatnikov due in early October — NASA

The launch was initially scheduled for September 12 but was postponed to address an oxidizer leak in the Dragon spacecraft’s propulsion system

Ukrainian attacks on Belgorod Region leave six people injured

According to the regional crisis management center, a man was injured in the village of Rzhevka in the Shebekinsky District when a drone attacked a passenger car

Thousands of children, youth become casualties of Ukrainian aggression in DPR — senator

In total, around 22,000 civilians in the region have been killed or injured by Ukrainian aggression since the start of the special military operation

Russia immediately declared in 2022 that events in Bucha were provocation — MFA

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova recalled that after the falsification, Bucha became a "place of pilgrimage" for Western leaders, heads of international organizations and Western journalists

Russia presents its latest Kub-10ME munition at AAD expo in South Africa

The product is on display at the joint exhibition of the state arms exporter Rosoboronexport

Oil refinery fire in Yaroslavl Region, 641 drones: aftermath of attack on Russian regions

An electrical substation was damaged by falling debris, causing power outages in four districts of Rostov-on-Don

NATO rehearsing scenarios for blockading Kaliningrad, isolating St. Petersburg — MFA

According to Yulia Zhdanova, NATO’s drive to escalate tensions around the Kaliningrad Region was confirmed the previous day by Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski, who called on the alliance to step up exercises near the Russian region’s border

British national eliminated in Russia’s special mil-op zone in Ukraine — top brass

The sources said that three more Ukrainian officers have been killed as well, including a senior lieutenant of the National Guard of Ukraine

Trump plans to hold meeting on Iran on UN General Assembly sidelines — Axios

The report says the meeting is expected "to focus on US ideas for a postwar strategy"

Some forces in Europe ready to hear Russia out on issue of mercenaries in Ukraine — envoy

"It is possible to get through," Rodion Miroshnik noted

Kiev sponsors' role, no UN response: Russian diplomat on Bucha

Maria Zakharova noted that the UN secretary-general became part of the Bucha provocation by playing along with the anti-Russian campaign

Russia viewed positively by 95% of participants in International Festival of Youth

According to Sergey Kiriyenko, First Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Administration and chairman of the festival’s organizing committee, almost 70% speak about their attitude in excellent terms

Pacific fleet’s Ufa submarine fires Kalibr missiles during drills

The launches were made from the Sea of Japan

NATO recon aircraft flying over Poland parallel to Kaliningrad Region border

The source noted that while the aircraft typically operates in the Baltic region and can circle the Russian territory, its Thursday’s flight path is quite rare

US Congress passes bill to toughen sanctions against Russia

262 members of the House of Representatives voted in favor, while 159 were against

Russia says report on Bucha falsification to be distributed at Dialogue on Fakes 4.0 forum

There will be another call for the international investigative community to conduct independent investigations, Maria Zakharova said

UK chief of Defense Staff says Russia noticeably boosted its military might

Richard Knighton added that the global security situation is "getting more dangerous"

Kiev troops attack DPR territory 17 times in past day, one killed

Seven people were wounded

Kiev authorities lost control over Ukrainian security forces — underground resistance

According to the source, citizens "can only watch as the agencies figure out who’s in charge"

Russia’s top diplomat urges caution toward any agreement with West

The West has shown it can break any deals, Sergey Lavrov noted

Ukraine becomes bankrupt country, has no reserves to recover — Russian senator

According to Alexander Voloshin, Ukraine subsists solely on external cash injections

Russia now has every right to end Ukrainian conflict on its terms — Brazilian expert

According to Pepe Escobar, "NATO has unleashed a terrorist war" against Russia, as due to Western action "Russian civilian infrastructure and civilians are being attacked"

Russian forces strike metallurgical, energy facilities in Kiev, Zaporozhye, Odessa Region

The Russian military also struck vessels supporting the Ukrainian army

Every vote matters: Putin’s address to Russians ahead of elections

By participating in the elections, Russians commit a responsible civic act and contribute to making the country stronger, the Russian president said

Two Moscow-bound drones taken down by Russian air defenses

First responders are working in the area where fragments crashed, Mayor Sergey Sobyanin said

Russia does not advocate expelling anyone from UN Security Council — Lavrov

According to the Russian foreign minister, the current composition of the UN Security Council no longer fully reflects today’s geopolitical realities

Houthis report intercepting two Saudi F-15 fighter jets

The two war planes "were targeted with several locally-made anti-aircraft missiles" as they departed from the Khamis Mushait Air Base and "were forced to retreat immediately," Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said

Zelensky appoints Ukraine’s acting prosecutor general

The nation remained unaware for several days as to who was performing the duties of prosecutor general after Ruslan Kravchenko was dismissed

Fire breaks out at oil refinery near Yaroslavl after drone attack

Governor Mikhail Yevrayev said that no deaths or injuries were reported

Vatican calls for establishing channel of dialogue with Moscow

Cardinal Pietro Parolin stressed that Russia should not be isolated

Germany preparing for potential conflict with Russia — head of delegation in Vienna

According to Yulia Zhdanova, NATO strategists envision Germany as a key NATO and EU logistics hub for moving as many as 800,000 troops

Western professionals flee Kiev army, untrained mercenaries fill this niche — Russian MFA

Rodion Miroshnik, the Russian Foreign Ministry’s Ambassador-at-Large, said that professionals decided to flee because they realized it was "by no means a safari-like adventure"

Czech prime minister urges Europe to work toward peace in Ukraine

Andrej Babis aded that European leaders are doing nothing to resolve the conflict

Tribunal says has evidence Ukraine deliberately killed own citizens

Chairman Maxim Grigoryev added that in this respect Ukraine had "surpassed" Hitler and Goebbels

The West turns blind eye on Ukrainian bombing strikes on Russian polling stations — MFA

Maria Zakharova noted that there are casualties

Russian forces strike metallurgical enterprises, Ukraine’s energy facilities

The Russian army also hit Ukraine’s military-industrial complex, the Defense Ministry reported

North Korea to remain nuclear power that resists enemy — deputy defense minister

Kim Kang Il said North Korea will "firmly defend peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in the region"

West actively prepares for war against Russia, spreads myth of Russian threat — Lavrov

The Russian foreign minster added that Western countries accuse Moscow of undermining European values

Russia says UN secretary-general involved in plot to blame Moscow for Bucha provocation

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stated firmly that this constitutes a "violation of the principle of neutrality, which is fundamental for the chief administrative officer of the United Nations

Russian tanks outperform Western counterparts in all conditions — Russian soldier

The senior armored group instructor from the Russian Battlegroup South said that Russian tanks perform more effectively in freezing temperatures and demonstrate high off-road mobility

About 98% of Russia’s trade with SCO worth $400 bln conducted in national currencies

Ambassador to China Igor Morgulov said that Russia is actively working on shifting to settlements in national currencies

US, allies boost potential for nuclear war — North Korea’s deputy defense minister

Kim Kang Il made this statement during the 13th Beijing Xiangshan Forum on security

Russia won’t go for truce without tackling root causes of Ukraine crisis — envoy to OSCE

Dmitry Polyansky pointed out that Moscow's conditions for halting the hostilities are well known and remain unchanged

France cannot afford funding Ukraine because of financial situation — Le Pen

Head of the National Rally party’s parliamentary faction added she believes that her country’s "historic role" is to "create conditions that facilitate peace"

Russian MFA recalls British media orchestrating Bucha falsification

Maria Zakharova noted that Britain was "the leader of the band" of conspirators needing to disrupt the Russian-Ukrainian talks in Istanbul and the agreements reached by the parties

Kallas only acts as mouthpiece for EU’s hatred toward Russia, diplomat says

Commenting on the EU diplomacy chief accusing Russia of allegedly being behind the incident with a Warsaw-bound passenger train from Kiev, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said it was no use saying anything at all to the EU’s chief diplomat

Era of US global dominance over — media

According to Payson O’Brien, America’s military strength, global network of bases and logistics systems, and military and diplomatic partnerships around the world proved insufficient to defeat Iran

US wants Germany to confront Russia, while Washington focuses on China, Iran — expert

Sevim Dagdelen, a foreign policy expert for the BSW party, said that "while the United States itself is at times willing to engage in dialogue with Moscow," Berlin is announcing plans to create Europe’s strongest army within a few years

Situation in Reznikovka encirclement is at stalemate for Ukrainian forces — expert

Andrey Marochko said the Ukrainian military command is giving its personnel false information

Russia sees enormous potential for linking transport corridors of EAEU, SCO — envoy

Among priorities in aligning logistics projects, Igor Morgulov mentioned the integration of information infrastructure and the adoption of unified standards for electronic trade documentation

Serbia ready to host Ukraine talks, though idea was never considered — Vucic

Serbia's president added that, in his opinion, an Arab country would be selected for hosting talks

Special court for Kosovo sentences former president to 25 years in prison

The Kosovo war crimes tribunal in the Hague found former president Hashim Thaci guilty of committing war crime

Russian companies in talks with Japan, S. Korea on resuming direct flights — diplomat

Andrey Rudenko called the negotiations "difficult and complex"

Russia’s victory forged both on battlefield and in rear — Putin

"It is being brought closer by everyone who works honestly for the Motherland and understands their responsibility for its future," the Russian leader said

China ready to defend Iran's legitimate rights — Chinese foreign minister

Wang Yi said that Beijing is also ready to strengthen dialogue and cooperation with the Iranian side

NATO already concerned by Von der Leyen’s security initiatives — Politico

NATO diplomats told the newspaper that "the allies were not formally briefed by the EU" on the proposal

France not at war with Russia, but not at peace with it either — French Foreign Ministry

Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot reiterated his previous statement that France is facing disinformation campaigns and cyberattacks allegedly linked to Russia

Britain is pushing for air defense coalition to deploy NATO contingent in Ukraine — expert

According to Alexander Stepanov, similar coalitions have been formed in the past – the "coalition of the willing" as a key platform and the F-16 coalition

UN Secretariat to spend long time washing away disgrace over Bucha provocation — diplomat

The Secretariat of the United Nations can no longer escape responsibility for this, Maria Zakharova said

Press review: EU chief calls for arming bloc and Middle East conflict hits global economy

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, September 17th

Bears kill ten people in Russia since start of year

A bear attacked a man in the village of Khurtaga in the Shukhalan locality of the Buryatia Region on September 7

NATO intelligence services find evidence linking Kiev to Leipzig incident — Russian SVR

The Russian Foreign Intelligence Service noted that "many in the West are merely pretending to believe the German leadership"

Ukraine loses about 1,260 troops in special military op zone in past day — top brass

The Russian army struck three dry cargo ships and a ferry used to deliver military cargo to Ukrainian troops in the port of Chernomorsk in the Odessa Region, the Defense Ministry reported

Russia hopes Europe has taken notice of warning about 'other, very short war' — Lavrov

Russia’s top diplomat pointed to the fact that it was Europe that was regularly voicing claims about its preparations for a possible war

UK confirms death of British major in traffic incident in Ukraine

The British Ministry of Defense reported that Major Wilks died away from the front lines

North Korea’s nuclear status is irreversible — politician

Kim Yo Jong said that denuclearization demands will have no effect on Pyongyang’s plans to defend its national interests

IN BRIEF: What is known about incident with Russian warship, Danish Air Force helicopter

TASS has compiled the main information available so far

Situation in Kiev looks like regime’s end is near — French colonel

People in Ukraine are being snatched off the streets to be sent to the front with virtually no training, Herve Carresse said

Japanese government tenders technical resignation before reshuffle

The composition of the new cabinet is to be announced in the coming hours

Moscow sees no changes in EU’s approach to Ukrainian conflict settlement — diplomat

Yulia Zhdanova added that the continuing hostilities by the Kiev regime that are backed by its European allies take place in parallel with the intensification of military activities near Russia’s borders

Kiev loses some 1,300 troops along engagement line in past day — Russia’s top brass

The Russian Armed Forces thwarted a Ukrainian military group’s attempt to break out of the encirclement near Gogino in the Kharkov Region, the Defense Ministry reported

Western unreliability, military contingents in Ukraine: Lavrov’s statements

Russia has never rejected talks on Ukraine and is prepared to hold them in either bilateral or trilateral formats, the Russian foreign minister noted

Kremlin comments on US 'sanctions from hell,' their impact on Ukrainian settlement

The Kremlin is monitoring how the situation around the bill passed by the House of Representatives on US "sanctions from hell" on Russian oil and gas exports last night will unfold

Russia to present report on provocation in Bucha during UN General Assembly

The Russian delegation will be headed by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov

Soyuz-2.1b rocket carrying Progress MS-35 cargo spacecraft lifts off from Baikonur

According to Roscosmos, the spacecraft is scheduled to approach and dock with the Poisk module of the International Space Station’s Russian segment on September 19

Syrian Army General Staff chief meets with Russian military personnel at Hmeimim airbase

On August 9, Moscow and Damascus signed a memorandum of understanding under which Russia’s military facilities – the Hmeimim airbase in Latakia and the naval logistics support facility in Tartus – are to be transformed into joint military training centers

Von der Leyen, Kallas constitute Europe’s biggest catastrophe — MEP

"They have turned the European Union into a Nazi war machine," Lubos Blaha said

Istanbul submits documents to ICC over Ukrainian attack on Turkish ship in Black Sea

HaberDenizde reported that the filing will undergo a preliminary review by the relevant ICC bodies, which will then decide whether to open a formal investigation into the case

Trump says to make 'big decision' on Iran as war at pivotal point

The US president said the United States "is approaching a critical juncture in the Iran war over whether to restart massive attacks in an effort to bring the conflict to a close"

Putin delivers traditional televised address ahead of parliamentary elections

This marks the third time since 2000 that the Russian leader has addressed the nation prior to State Duma elections

Top Russian security official comments on Western plans in South Caucasus, Armenia crisis

Sergey Shoigu noted that Western countries are only out to tap the resources of the South Caucasus

Most mercenaries go to Ukraine only for money — former SBU officer

There are practically no ideological Russophobes left among the mercenaries, Vasily Prozorov said

Trump believes Iran seeks deal with US but not yet ready for it

The US president reiterated his forecast that the conflict will end after the midterm elections to the US Congress due in November, adding that he also sees a possibility of an earlier solution

Russia opposes offering any respite for Ukrainian troops — diplomat

"Russia will push for achieving sustainable peace," Yulia Zhdanova said

US may stop trade with EU if Canada becomes associated member — Trump

The US president said the response will depend on whether he thinks "it’s a hostile act"