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Strait of Hormuz developments

Iran seeks friendly relations with regional states, ready to sign agreements with them

IRGC Spokesman Hossein Mohebi noted that countries of the region had realized that US bases "are of no good for them," and the Mecca Agreement is a clear example of that

TEHRAN, October 19. /TASS/. Iran has always sought friendly relations with Arab countries and is ready to offer to sign security agreements with them, spokesman for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC, elite units of the Iranian army) Hossein Mohebi said.

"We have always sought to be friends with these (Arab - TASS) countries. <…> Countries of the region should ensure their security by themselves, and we are ready to sign joint agreements with them and ensure security at both regional and local levels," he said, as cited by the Tasnim agency.

According to the IRGC spokesman, countries of the region have realized that US bases "are of no good for them," and the Mecca Agreement is a clear example of that.

The Mecca Joint Defense Agreement, signed by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif on August 7, provides for a mutual defense commitment whereby an attack on any one of the signatory nations will be regarded as an attack on all three.

Russia, Iran must prevent Kiev from causing problems by hitting Caspian region — first VP

Mohammad Reza Aref said that grain and food supplies are of particular importance for the development of bilateral relations

Witkoff plans to discuss Ukrainian settlement in Moscow in late October — Axios

According to the news portal, the US administration counts on a diplomatic breakthrough before the midterm elections to the US Congress

What is known about Russian influencer being detained in Montenegro

According to Vijesti news outlet, the security services had received information about Mikhail Zvinchuk and his associates’ arrival and had been monitoring their movements for several days

Arabian coalition accuses Houthis of attacking airport in Riyadh

Spokesperson Turki al-Maliki promised a decisive response to the aggression

Russia begins lifting diesel exports restrictions immediately — deputy PM

Alexander Novak noted that Russia is one of the key suppliers of diesel fuel to the global market

Russia, Venezuela in talks on Caracas’ $1 bln debt restructuring

"The matter of this debt will be settled in the near future," ambassador of Venezuela to Russia Carlos Rafael Faria Tortosa said

Russia’s fifth-generation Su-57 fighter wipes out enemy targets outside engagement area

The Su-57’s onboard equipment integrates various data while the information support system incorporating artificial intelligence elements allows the pilot to make decisions in a fraction of a second and always emerge victorious in an air combat, Vadim Badekha stressed

Moscow will reconsider resuming talks after Ukrainian attacks — presidential aide

Yury Ushakov said Kiev had effectively undermined the possibility of immediately resuming the negotiation process

Iran is urging IAEA to resist manipulations of outside actors - Iran’s envoy

According to him, Iran views this situation as a trap set by the US and Israel who were very active in trying to demolish the nuclear deal with Iran and also used all means possible to pressure the agency

Most of Putin-Trump phone call focused on Ukraine settlement — Kremlin spokesman

Russian president responded with understanding to some proposals from the US side regarding steps aimed at de-escalation, Dmitriy Peskov said

Lavrov says talk about Normandy-format meeting during UNGA is not serious

Russian Foreign Minister also noted that Ukraine’s foreign ministry speaks about the plans of convening a Normandy-format summit to settle the problems of the implementation of the Minsk agreements, on the one hand, while the Ukrainian president’s office, on the contrary, claims that the agreements have exhausted themselves, on the other hand

Press review: Kiev may step up Russia strikes as Rubio urges EU to put its interests first

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, October 9th

Russia’s Battlegroup North takes control of Lukashovo, Lobanovka in Kharkov Region

According to the Russian defense ministry, Battlegroup Center also liberated 82 buildings, including four industrial facilities, in Dobropolye

Russian government partially lifts diesel export ban following Putin-Trump agreements

It takes effect on October 10

Riyadh airport to remain closed until end of Sunday — air traffic control source

Earlier, the airport was expected to resume operations at midnight local time

Musk says Zelensky has gone too far

The entrepreneur commented on US President Donald Trump’s statements that Washington has repeatedly demanded that Kiev stop strikes on Russian oil refineries

Resettlement from DPR areas under Ukrainian control to help people return to peaceful life

Authorities of the Donetsk People’s Republic intend to assess each person’s circumstances individually in order to provide the necessary assistance and help them return to peaceful life

Several hundred applications received for DPR resettlement program — regional head

Kramatorsk, Slavyansk, Dobropillya and Druzhkovka are large cities, so government expect a significant number of applications

Ukraine to weaken after Russia destroys bridge across Oskol River — expert

Andrey Marochko believes that logistics problems for the Ukrainian army after the destruction of the bridge will affect the course of the fighting near the strategically important Kupyansk

DPR residents from areas under Ukrainian control to be rehoused in temporary accommodation

A Telegram chatbot has been launched for those wishing to participate in the special resettlement program

Trump says Ukraine conflict will be settled soon

The US president also promised a soon resolution of the conflict in Iran

Cuba wants to increase purchases of Russian oil and oil products — Russian energy minister

"The question is in financial sources," Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said

Eight Ukrainian intelligence agents sentenced in Russia for Crimea attacks

They were sentenced to prison terms ranging from five years suspended to 27 years

NATO says it has no plans to blockade Kaliningrad

The alliance is not seeking a confrontation but has sufficient arsenals and military power to provide effective deterrence and respond swiftly in the event of aggression

Russia's media watchdog urges news outlets to verify reports from Irkutsk Region

The media watchdog highlighted that false information about the sanitary and epidemiological situation in Irkutsk Region, in southeastern Russia, had been circulating in recent days

Norway’s Statoil does not slow down operations in Russia — Russian minister

"Just recently, two wells were drilled in the Sea of Okhotsk. Preparations are underway for drilling a well with hard-to-recover reserves," Sergey Donskoy said

Rwandan president to visit Moscow for Russia-Africa Summit

According to the East African nation’s Ambassador to Russia Joseph Nzabamwita, participation in the economic forum in the North Caucasus is aimed at extending cooperation from the federal to the regional level

Russia, Turkey hold consultations on supplies of Su-57, Su-35 jets

While visiting the international aerospace show MAKS-2019 in the company of Putin, Erdogan showed interest in Sukhoi combat planes

Ukraine created humanitarian crisis in Alyoshki — Russian Human Rights Commissioner

Russia would do everything possible to save civilians, Yana Lantratova said

Riyadh airport to remain closed until midnight — air traffic control service

The information had been communicated to all relevant airspace users

Estonian rogues drag EU into quagmire of confrontation — Russian Foreign Ministry

Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova commented on a statement by Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal that the EU "will throw all its resources into ensuring that Ukraine can turn Russian oil refineries into ruins"

Rosatom CEO says share of unfriendly countries’ projects in portfolio declining

The absolute number of projects in unfriendly countries remains unchanged, Alexey Likhachev added

Russia ‘takes gloves off’ as Kiev tries to intimidate Russians with drone attacks — Ritter

According to him, Russian strikes against Ukrainian infrastructure facilities were provoked by Ukraine itself, whose leadership was the first to decide to launch strikes against Russia in an attempt to intimidate the civilian population

Rwanda proud to use Russian military hardware, envoy says

Joseph Nzabamwita added that Rwanda has started selling lots of agriculture products in Russia

At least 12 people die in attack on Riyadh Airport — NYT

According to sources cited by the newspaper, another 50 people were injured

Riyadh airport suspends operations — air traffic control source

The Riyadh airport has suspended operations; no inbound or outbound flights are being serviced

Number of Germans who change their minds about refusing military service grows

A representative of the Federal Office for Family and Civil Society told the RND editorial association that this occurred amid the conflict in Ukraine and changes in the security situation

Russian forces strike Kiev data center used by Ukrainian army to store intelligence

Russian forces have struck a dry cargo ship involved in delivering military supplies to Odessa at sea

Tochka-U missiles not in service in Russian Armed Forces — mission to UN

Given the proven record of the Kiev regime promoting false allegations and fake evidence, it should be noted that Tochka-U tactical missiles are not in service in the Russian Armed Forces, the letter says

Russian new car market hit 396,000 units in Q3 2026 — ministry

The trend toward a gradual recovery of the auto market was managed to be strengthened in particular through the implementation of programs stimulating demand for Russia-made vehicles, the ministry noted

World rejecting US dollar, no going back — senior Russian official

A number of countries are realizing that the US dollar is no longer a safe global reserve currency, Alexey Overchuk said

Flydubai co-pilot planned terrorist attack at Tel Aviv airport

He intended to take control of the aircraft and use it to carry out a suicide attack on the passenger terminal at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, with the aim of causing the greatest possible number of casualties

Europe sponsors continuation of Ukraine conflict, not peace — Russian envoy

According to Vasily Nebenzya, people in Europe "are beginning to understand that their leaders are preparing them for a full-scale war with Russia, as early as 2030"

Flight recorders found at Su-24 crash site in Chelyabinsk region

Crash had been caused by the loss of the plane's transparent radome

South Korean ambassador leaves Ukraine — news agency

On October 8, South Korea’s Foreign Ministry announced that the government had decided to recall its ambassador to Ukraine

Russian-Arab Summit in Moscow postponed until later date — Kremlin

This is related to the beginning of the active phase of implementation of US President Donald Trump's Gaza peace plan

Russia’s Kornev sets new world record in 50-meter butterfly at short-course event

The event is taking place in Uzbekistan’s capital of Tashkent

Ukrainian troops shell DPR 22 times in 24 hours, wounding two civilians

Ukrainian troops fired 62 rounds of various munitions at the republic’s towns with 14 shelling attacks in the Donetsk area and eight — in the Gorlovka area

Maduro's wife suffered heart attack in July in US prison, lawyers report

Cilia Flores's lawyers said they would seek her transfer to house arrest

Oil supertanker hits mine in Strait of Hormuz — IRGC

According to the Iranian military, the tanker struck a mine and exploded after turning off its positioning and navigation systems

Eight Palestinians killed in Gaza Strip during Israeli attacks — Health Ministry

The total number of victims of the escalation of the conflict in Gaza since October 2023 has increased to 74,030

China successfully launches 27th batch of SatNet communications satellites

The launch took place aboard a Long March-12 carrier rocket from the commercial launch site at the Wenchang Space Launch Site

Putin conveyed Iran’s vision for possible conflict resolution to Trump — Kremlin

Russian President held two meetings with Pezeshkian on the sidelines of a summit in Turkmenistan, Dmitry Peskov said

Russian forces destroy ten Ukrainian troops, two artillery guns in Kherson area

Near the settlement of Novoaleksandrovka, Russian forces destroyed a 122mm D-30 howitzer with ammunition

US-Ukraine talks in Miami derailed by Putin-Trump diesel deal — media

A senior Ukrainian official told the Financial Times that the delegation was cutting its trip short instead of holding a second round of talks on October 10

Donbass will do without Ukraine, hardly vice versa - experts

After the independence referendums in eastern Ukraine’s Donetsk and Luhansk regions quite a few Ukrainian analysts said Ukraine should let them go

US talks on Ukraine address European security architecture — media

According to sources cited by Reuters, participants hope to reach a mutually acceptable settlement in the coming weeks

This year’s grain harvest to be laudable — Putin

The Russian president estimated the harvest at over 100 million tons

Russia unveils Su-30SME fighter export version at Singapore Airshow

Unlike the Su-30MKI fighter jet, the avionics suite mounted on the Su-30SME aircraft’s version lacks French-made components

Finnish PM plans to propose Europe stop issuing tourist visas to Russians

According to Petteri Orpo, Russian citizens should not be allowed to travel freely to Europe as tourists

Shell falls near international airport in Saudi’s Dammam — coalition

Spokesman Turki al-Maliki provided no information about casualties and damage

Ukrainian army kills civilians while retreating, using them as human shields — DPR head

On October 7, the DPR Defense Headquarters called on residents of cities under the control of the Ukrainian armed forces to evacuate to the republic

Iran would like to resume dialogue with US, IAEA, Russia ready to assist — Lavrov

He also reaffirmed Russia's stance, condemning the unjustified attacks on Iran's nuclear facilities

Russian presidential aide says Putin-Trump conversation was substantive, friendly

According to Yury Ushakov, Putin spoke in detail about Russia’s response to Ukrainian attacks and stated that Moscow remains ready for a political and diplomatic settlement to achieve a lasting and sustainable peace

Trump says US doesn’t need Canadian hockey sticks and masks

The official added that the US loses $90 billion a year "with Canada"

Russian presidential aide says Putin, Trump may meet at APEC summit

Both leaders are interested in attending summit events in China, Yury Ushakov said

US negotiators Witkoff, Kushner may visit Moscow in next two weeks — source

There is indeed such a possibility, a source said

Rostov-on-Don police seize abandoned weapons, military vehicles after mutiny

"The police, in cooperation with the Defense Ministry servicemen, teamed into investigative groups, was dispatched to all places where left weapons and ammunition was discovered

Toyota plant in St. Petersburg transferred to Russian state — ministry

In September 2022, Toyota Motor Corporation announced its decision to close its assembly plant in St. Petersburg. In mid-November, the plant began laying off employees, who had numbered over 1,900 at that point

Hostilities pose threat to civilians in DPR cities under Ukrainian control — republic head

On October 7, the DPR Defense Headquarters called on residents of cities under Ukrainian control to evacuate to the republic, pledging to help them find housing

Press review: EU tightens Russia sanctions while Germany eyes return to Russian energy

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, October 8th

NATO ‘Theory of Victory’ plan not directed against Russia — chairman of military committee

The word ‘victory’ in this context means, first and foremost, just one thing: war will never begin because those who threaten us are convinced not to start it, Giuseppe Cavo Dragone said

No concrete result yet on prisoner swap between Russia and US — Russian diplomat

Earlier, it was reported that the US president had supported the plan to swap Russian national Viktor Bout for American nationals Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan

US death toll from Hurricane Isaias reaches four — TV

Local authorities told CNN that hundreds of thousands of people remain without power

Ukraine attacks DPR 23 times in last 24 hours

Information was received about the death of one civilian and the injury of two others

Confirmed Ebola cases in DRC exceed 8,700 — WHO

The fatality rate stands at around 48.2%

Trump says US demanded Zelensky halt strikes on Russian oil refineries

He can't do that because we have a world problem, and the problem is caused by the lack of refineries for diesel fuel, US President said

No response from US to Russia’s proposal to extend New START — senior Russian MP

Konstantin Kosachev emphasized that Russia has once again demonstrated its special responsibility as a nuclear power and a permanent member of the UN Security Council in matters of strategic stability and global security

Russia needs national program to combat desertification — expert

This program should involve "collaborative efforts from different sectoral ministries and authorities," lead research fellow of the Institute of Geography at the Russian Academy of Sciences German Kust noted

Sayat Isanov appointed new commander of Kazakhstan’s Special Operations Forces

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev ordered a comprehensive review of the Defense Ministry’s operations

Russian forces destroy Ukrainian deployment sites with FAB-3000 air bombs at Orekhov

Russian Aerospace Forces crews struck the targets at the moments of maximum concentration of Ukrainian personnel

EU unhappy with US decision to allow Russian diesel imports — top diplomat

This is not the time to ease pressure on Russia, and Europe won’t, Kaja Kallas said

Russia ready to supply 300,000 tons of diesel to world market this month — senior official

Alexander Novak added that Russian diesel exports could increase to 500,000 metric tons in November

At least 12 people die, 309 injured in attack on Riyadh Airport — government

The attack caused material damage, the extent of which is currently being assessed

Several injured in attack on Riyadh airport — Saudi Arabia’s aviation authority

The airport’s operations had been suspended to assess the damage and conduct security checks

Cargo ships runs aground in Baltic Sea — emergency services

On October 9, wind speeds in the Kaliningrad Region reached up to 27 m/s

Russia calling on Israel to stop airstrikes on Syria — envoy

Alexander Lavrentiev expressed regret that Israel still is not listening to Russia's opinion on this matter

Zelensky had numerous chances to end conflict but chose not to do so — Trump

US President thinks it's time for Ukraine to get a new president

People’s lives constitute top priority of DPR resettlement program — regional head

People will be provided with instructions on how to leave areas of hostilities

Only NATO, Kiev had motive to down flight MH17, expert believes

The Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 was shot down on July 17, 2014, over Ukraine’s eastern region of Donetsk

DPR compiling data on property in Ukrainian-controlled cities to protect owners’ rights

Property may be damaged or destroyed during hostilities

Zelensky displays hypocrisy by saying Western arms not used against civilians — envoy

Vasily Nebenzya stressed that the responsibility for the deaths of civilians lies with Western countries which supply weapons to Kiev

Putin, Erdogan agree to continue close coordination toward fighting terrorism — Kremlin

"The leaders agreed to continue close coordination of efforts to fight terrorism," the Russian presidential press service said in a statement

Putin’s envoy sees Russia-US energy cooperation benefiting whole world

Kirill Dmitriev added that energy and economic cooperation between the countries will continue

Kiev metro trains resume service following power outage

Intervals may exceed 15 minutes due to power supply disruptions from external centers

Putin-Trump call on Friday was their 6th this year — calculations by TASS

The conversation was their 16th since the US leader returned to office in early 2025

Trump publicly thanks Putin for diesel fuel supply deal

According to the official, the agreement provides for the supply of "massive amounts of oil" to the US

Netanyahu claims Hamas plots attack on Israel ahead of elections

The Israeli PM said that over the past years Israel had become "the strongest country in the Middle East," while its enemies were currently "weaker than ever"

Russian air defenses down 725 drones, Ukrainian losses total about 1,455 troops

Ukrainian units trapped in an encirclement in the Kharkov Region lost up to 45 servicemen over the past day

Russian Navy coastal defense system strikes target with cruise missile in Arctic drills

The missile firings from the coastal defense missile system deployed on the Alexandra Land Island were performed for the first time as part of the Northern Fleet’s planned combat and operational training measures for the summer training period

Russia ready to supply oil to US, global markets — Putin after call with Trump

The Russian and US presidents have discussed energy problems by phone