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Middle East conflict

Updated at:

Iran shoots down fifth Israeli F-35 — municipal authorities

According to the report, the fighter plane was taken down in the Javadabad area of the Varamin municipal district

© AP Photo/ Ohad Zwigenberg

TEHRAN, June 18. /TASS/. Iranian air defense systems have taken down an Israeli F-35 fighter plane over the city of Varamin southeast of Tehran, the IRNA news agency reported citing a representative of municipal authorities.

"The army air defenses have shot down and eliminated an enemy F-35 fighter plane of the Zionist regime in the Javadabad area of the Varamin municipal district," the agency quoted him as saying.

This F-35 is the fifth Israeli fighter plane taken down since the onset of the Iranian-Israeli escalation on June 13.

According to the ILNA news agency, an Israeli unmanned aerial vehicle was also shot down over Varamin.

Overnight into June 13, Israel kicked off Operation Rising Lion, aimed at Iran’s nuclear program. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said that 200 fighter jets attacked more than 100 targets in Iran, including nuclear facilities.

On the evening of June 13, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced that Iran retaliated by attacking dozens of targets in Israel with missiles, including military facilities and air bases, striking, in particular, the Defense Ministry in Tel Aviv. In the following days, Israel and Iran exchanged more strikes. Both sides reported casualties and fatalities as a result of these attacks and admitted that some targets were hit but claimed that the damage was limited.

Iran's nuclear program

Iranian foreign minister denies sending team of negotiators to Oman

Abbas Araghchi said that he has not left Tehran with the negotiating team

Explosions rock ammunition depots near Kiev — newspaper

Kiev Mayor Vitaly Klitschko also said there was a fire at night in the warehouses in the Svyatoshinsky district of the capital

Facilities in Tehran, Karaj damaged in strikes — IAEA

"The IAEA has information that two centrifuge production facilities in Iran, the TESA Karaj workshop and the Tehran Research Center, were hit," its statement reads

World War III would destroy civilization, must be prevented — senior Russian diplomat

Alexander Pankin also expressed skepticism about UN reform efforts

Israel running low on Arrow missile interceptors amid conflict with Iran — WSJ

According to the report, the United States has been augmenting the Jewish state’s anti-missile and air defenses for months

Iran delivers strikes on airbases in Israel — agency

The IRGC warned that "targeted operations" against Israel will be continued

IRGC targets Mossad headquarters, Israeli military intel buildings in missile strike

As previously reported, Israel’s Glilot military intel base near Tel Aviv was hit by IRGC’s missile strike

Russian industry minister names conditions for foreign businesses return

Russia is interested in the first instance in joint production facilities realized in its territory, Anton Alikhanov said

Iran shoots down fifth Israeli F-35 — municipal authorities

According to the report, the fighter plane was taken down in the Javadabad area of the Varamin municipal district

MAER CEO: 'If your business doesn't stir emotions, close it down. Even we won't sell it'

Iran denies former president Ahmadinejad was killed

Some news media earlier reported that the former president was killed in Tehran

US may decide to launch military action against Iran within 24 to 48 hours — TV

According to the broadcaster’s sources, the US still believes it will be able to bring Iran back to the negotiating table and ultimately force it accept a deal that would require Tehran to abandon nuclear enrichment

DPR head urges Europe to focus on its own problems rather than weapons for Ukraine

According to Denis Pushilin, the actions of Western politicians could prompt a change in the state of affairs in Europe happen as quickly as the escalation of the Iran-Israel conflict did

Kiev stops large-scale counterattacks amid Russian advance — expert

According to Andrey Marochko, the Russian Defense Ministry’s latest bulletins illustrate Russian military successes in the regions of Sumy, Kharkov, and south of Donetsk

North Korea to send 1,000 combat engineers, 5,000 workers to rebuild Kursk Region – Shoigu

According to Sergey Shoigu, Moscow and Pyongyang also plan to create memorials for the Korean soldiers who died while liberating the Kursk Region

Iranian missile strikes on Israel completely cripple Tel Aviv — news agency

It is noted that the missile strikes resulted in power outages and disrupted fuel supplies

Iran strikes Tel Aviv, Haifa with 'new weapons,' plans step up attacks soon — general

Earlier, air-raid alerts sounded in Israel, including in Tel Aviv, in connection with the Iranian missile attack

UAV warehouse in Kiev hit by Russia’s strike — media

Kiev officially did not confirm the Russian strike on the hanger with drones

Yemeni Houthis say they will interfere into Iranian-Israeli conflict to back Iran

According to al-Bukhaiti, the Houthis will coordinate their attacks against Israel with Iran

Trump much more interested in Israel-Iran conflict than Ukraine — opposition politician

According to Viktor Medvedchuk, Washington is pulling back from pumping Kiev with weapons, as the US sees this as a threat to its own economy

Trump’s remarks on China joining G7 reflect ignorance, desperation — expert

According to Wang Wen, the majority of the Chinese view the Group of Seven as a closed circle of Western imperialist countries and the main source of an unequal political, economic and financial global system

Putin, UAE president express profound concern over escalation of Iranian-Israeli conflict

The sides noted that the conflict is fraught with the most negative consequences for the entire region

Russian embassy dismisses UK sanctions as 'petty'

"In connection with the G7 meeting in Kananaskis, Canada, the UK government, with feigned and inappropriate pomp, announced the latest tranche of anti-Russian sanctions," the embassy said

Donald Trump’s backing could grant Israel hegemony over Middle East — WP

According to the news report, while the US president used to cast himself as a man of "peace" and a "dealmaker" aiming to stabilize a volatile region and end wars, he now appears prepared to join one

Format of Russia’s participation in BRICS summit under discussion — diplomat

"We are in contact with the group’s presidency," Sergey Ryabkov noted

Capitulation of Kiev regime should be discussed with other states — DPR head

"The decision will be made by other people, perhaps by other countries," Denis Pushilin said

Russian diplomat points to worst-case scenario in Iran-Israel conflict

Gennady Gatilov thinks that recent events make it clear that Israel has made a deliberate decision "in favour of further escalation of tensions," which are "fraught with a large-scale nuclear catastrophe"

Netanyahu poses biggest threat to security of region, Erdogan said

"President Erdogan said that Turkey has been conducting intensive diplomatic contacts since the Israeli attack on Iran," the administration of the Turkish leader said

Israeli general reveals number of facilities impacted in attacks across Iran

According to Effie Defrin, the IDF has been systematically working according to plan and will continue to do so "until all goals have been achieved"

Russia hopes its interests protected with regard to bases in Syria

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said there have been no radical changes in the status quo as of today

Trump says not really pursuing talks with Iran — news agency

The US president said he wants a "real end" to the conflict, not a ceasefire

Avtovaz to unveil Lada crossover at SPIEF

Earlier reports said that the crossover will be produced on the Lada Vesta platform and the start of production is scheduled for early 2026

Trump tries to stay away from military action in Middle East — Washington Post

Israel doubts the effectiveness of a potential agreement and will probably continue to pursue its own objectives anyway, which, the observer suggests, may imply a change of power in Iran

G7 no longer big, new growth centers have emerged — official

Maxim Oreshkin stressed that in light of today's agenda, it is important to remember why all these events are happening

Iran prepares missiles for striking US bases in Middle East — report

Tehran would be ready to strike any American bases in Arab countries, the New York Times said

Talks with US, Middle East, Putin's agenda at SPIEF: Kremlin aide’s statements

The issue of a new round of negotiations on normalization of relations between Russia and the United States has "somewhat stalled" after a pause taken by Washington

Russia’s military chief inspects Battlegroup Center in special military operation area

Valery Gerasimov listened to commanders’ reports at forward command posts of the Battlegroup Center and assigned further objectives

Discontent with BRICS goes beyond Trump, reveals Western self-interest — Russian diplomat

"For the first time, we have established a framework for partner states," Sergey Ryabkov noted

Downed F-35, US fleet withdrawal, secret Chinese flights: news on Israel-Iran conflict

On Wednesday morning, 50 Israeli Air Force fighter jets struck Iranian facilities used in the production of uranium enrichment centrifuges

Trump says not too late to negotiate with Iran

According to the US president, the Iranians are in contact with the Americans

Russia’s FAB bomb strike destroys Ukrainian army platoon in western Donetsk region

The FAB bomb strike also destroyed Ukrainian military equipment, including Baba-Yaga hexacopter drones, the source added

Iran takes full control of Israel’s airspace — agency

The IRGC called on the residents of Tel Aviv’s Neve Tzedek neighborhood to evacuate, the Mehr news agency reported

Security Council ineffective amid Israeli aggression — Iran’s UN envoy

Ali Bahreini pointed out that the SC’s inaction is one of the key reasons why Israel "continues to commit such crimes" as its ongoing attack on Iran

French president’s trip to Greenland irritates Trump

According to the Financial Times, Macron’s decision to make a stopover in Greenland on his way to the summit contributed to Trump’s decision to leave the event early

Int’l community’s reaction to Israeli attack on Iran 'good lesson for everyone' — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov noted that Russia continues monitoring the situation in this regard

Iranian military says air defenses downed 28 Israeli targets over past day

According to the report, the intercepted goals included Israel’s Hermes drone used to monitor the "vulnerable areas" of Iran

Top Chinese diplomat says world cannot stand by as Middle East 'plunges into the abyss'

"The most important thing at this point is to stop the firing, stop the hostilities," Wang Yi stated

Trump says he, Putin discussed Iran, Ukraine on June 17

The US president said that Vladimir Putin actually offered to help mediate talks with Iran

FACTBOX: 2025 St. Petersburg International Economic Forum

The 28th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum will take place from June 18-21, 2025

Israeli attacks on civilian nuclear facilities in Iran push world to nuclear disaster

"Russia is calling on Israel’s leadership to come to its senses and immediately stop air raids on Iran’s nuclear installations that have guarantees from and are inspected by the IAEA," Russian foreign ministry said

Trump blocks effort to lower Russian oil price cap — Politico

According to diplomatic sources, the opinion of the head of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas on the issue of restrictions on prices for Russian raw materials is not very important

G7 leaders express support for Trump’s efforts to find peaceful solution to Ukraine crisis

However, the document notes that G7 leaders seek "to maximize pressure on Russia, including financial sanctions"

IDF reports preparing strike on Iran, urges evacuation

The attack will target "the Iranian regime’s military infrastructure"

Israeli, US air defenses have no answer for some of Iran's missiles — US expert

Daniel Davis said that the US should not join Israel’s military operation against Iran

Russian army 'actively advancing' near DPR border with Dnipropetrovsk Region — expert

Andrey Marochko noted that, in general, the Russian army is actively fighting and is making progress on the front line from the south-west of Krasnoarmeisk in the Donetsk People’s Republic and up to the Zaporozhye region

FACTBOX: Oil refinery strikes and radiation leaks – 5 days of Israel-Iran escalation

At least 1,800 people have received wounds and injuries after Israel’s attacks on Iran, Iranian Health Minister Mohammad-Reza Zafarghandi stated

\BRICS to boost fight against terrorism during India’s presidency — Russian diplomat

"The issue is extremely important for India, and they always pay attention to it on all platforms," Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said

Trump says he ran out of patience on Iran, wishes luck to Khamenei

The US president again essentially demanded that Iran capitulate

Iran uses advanced missile in attack on Israel — Iranian Defense Ministry

Earlier, ground forces commander Major General Kioumars Heydari said that Iran attacked Tel Aviv, Haifa and other Israeli military facilities with "advanced weapons"

Israel’s aggression against Iran cannot be excused as pre-emptive attack, Swiss NGO says

"Once again, Israel, the United States and their supporters are flouting international law and participating in a conflict that could lead to nuclear disaster," the organization noted

Iran launches Sejil medium-range missile in combat conditions for first time — news agency

According to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Tehran launched three such missiles into Israeli territory

Boeing took hit by leaving Russian market — Putin

Rostec CEO Sergey Chemezov noted that the Americans had brought in a significant number of modern machines and set up an entire production facility in Russia

Iran strikes Rafael weapons factory, sources say

No further details have been disclosed regarding the extent of the damage or the factory’s specific location

Russians most of all wait for return of IKEA, McDonald's

Head of the Russian Quality System nonprofit organization Maxim Protasov still noted that there is a group of consumers that do not want the return of foreign brands at all

Canadian authorities add Putin’s ex-wife to sanction lists

Tatiana Yumasheva, the daughter of late Russian President Boris Yeltsin, was also blacklisted by the Canadian government

Putin confirms Russia ready to mediate Middle East conflict — Kremlin

According to the statement, Russia is inclined to promote dialogue between the parties to the conflict

Iran fires 400 missiles at Israel, killing 24, injuring 804 — Netanyahu’s office

Adviser Dmitry Gendelman added that "the Israel Tax Authority has received 18,766 applications for compensation for damages"

Iran’s parliament approves strategic partnership treaty with Russia — embassy

On January 17, following talks in the Kremlin, Russian and Iranian Presidents Vladimir Putin and Masoud Pezeshkian signed the Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries

Trump drops idea of organizing meeting between US, Iranian officials — TV

The New York Times reported earlier that Trump had suggested that his envoy Steve Witkoff and Vice President JD Vance try to meet with Iranian officials later this week

Russian troops breach Ukrainian defenses near Verkhnekamenskoye in Donetsk region — expert

Andrey Marochko said that the Ukrainian military is currently trying to hold its key positions and "fierce battles are raging" near Verkhnekamenskoye

No serious operations yet staged by Iran against Israel — Iranian top brass

The real, decisive and punitive retribution against Israel will be inflicted very soon, Abdulrahim Mousavi said

Trump’s threats to Tehran indicate that Israel nears defeat — Iranian ambassador

Mehdi Sobhani noted that the United States is assisting Israel in this conflict, and stated that "this war is imposed on Iran"

Press review: SPIEF 2025 may yield $95.5 bln in contracts as Trump leaves G7 summit early

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, June 18th

Liberation of Petrovskogo in Donbass region paves way for offensive toward Dnepropetrovsk

Earlier, the Russian Defense Ministry reported the liberation of Petrovskogo in the DPR

US-Russia relations normalization process put on ice — Kremlin aide

"Now, obviously, some kind of an agreement will be reached between the US State Department and the Russian Foreign Ministry on where and when to hold the next meeting," Yury Ushakov said

Iran takes measures to protect nuclear facilities, envoy says

"The details of these measures will be announced to the Agency in due time," Reza Najafi noted

European Commission suggests banning Russian gas by end of 2027

The European Commission is going to create mechanism to protect the ban against its circumvention by EU countries

IN BRIEF: New arms, blasts: what is known about exchange of strikes between Israel, Iran

US President Donald Trump said he expects the destruction of Iran's nuclear program without Washington's involvement

Israel's attack on Iran may scar Europe too — DPR head

Denis Pushilin emphasized that Donbass, which has been enduring military conflict since 2014, supports the peaceful resolution of all geopolitical disputes

'Tornado sweeping' through Tehran, civilians flee capital — defense minister

Israel Katz said that "regime landmarks are being targeted and collapsing"

Israel needs US-exclusive mega-bomb to destroy nuclear facility in Fordow — NYP

Costing over $500 million per missile to develop, the 5-ton "bunker buster" bomb can only be carried by B-2 Spirit stealth bombers, which the Israeli air force lacks

Iran launches some 30 missiles at Israel overnight — IDF

According to Israel Defense Forces Spokesman Brigadier General Effie Defrin, most of the projectiles were intercepted, and there were no injuries

UK added ten companies and individuals to anti-Russian sanctions package

Considering the earlier announced sanctions, the number of ships in the United Kingdom’s black list is now close to three hundred

Decision to strike Iran may lead Trump to political tragedy — expert

"Trump's decision will hinge on a careful assessment of the maximum effectiveness of available weapons and the strategic capability to achieve the desired objectives," Roostum Vansu said

US presidential envoy plans to meet with Belarusian president soon — agency

According to Reuters, Keith Kellogg would be the highest-ranking US official to visit Belarus in years

BRICS partner state status proves worthwhile — Russian diplomat

According to Sergey Ryabkov, different levels of participation in the group’s activities don’t hinder cooperation but "on the contrary, help it"

Chinese TANK 700 and WEY 80 vehicles unveiled at SPIEF

TANK is a brand under the Great Wall Motor Group, specializing in premium-class SUVs

Turkey reinforcing military defenses so no one 'dares attack us' — Erdogan

"Today, Turkey protects its airspace with domestically developed air defense systems and has built an integrated, multi-layered defense architecture," the republic’s president noted

No US decision yet on attack against Iran — newspaper

According to The Wall Street Journal, "Trump is considering a range of options, including a potential US strike against Iran"

FACTBOX: Russian pizza magnate Samvel Karapetyan detained in Armenia

The raid was triggered by Samvel Karapetyan’s response to remarks made by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan with regard to representatives of the Armenian Church

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

Russia’s Battlegroup West inflicted more than 220 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed an enemy armored combat vehicle in its area of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

West trying to keep status quo globally resisting developing states’ influence — Novak

The desire to maintain dominant positions in the global economy leads to bilateral agreements being ‘pushed’ instead of multilateral ones, which results in a new round of regionalization, the Russian deputy prime minister added

US to suffer colossal damage if enters military conflict with Iran — Khamenei

The press service noted that this was the country’s supreme leader’s reaction to "ridiculous remarks" by US President Donald Trump who earlier demanded Tehran’s "unconditional surrender"

Zelensky cancels press conference and leaves Canada after failed meeting with Trump

Donald Trump left the G7 talks on June 17, ahead of schedule

Iran says it used undetectable missiles to strike Mossad headquarters

According to the Iranian official, the attack came as a surprise for the Israel

Russian intel chief says situation between Iran, Israel critical

According to Sergey Naryshkin, Russia is in contact with members of certain intelligence services of Iran and Israel

Nuclear threat in Middle East not hypothetical, but practical — Foreign Ministry

Maria Zakharova stressed that Iran "had, has, and will have the right" to peaceful nuclear facilities that are now under attack

Mini missiles increase Pantsir round of munitions four times

High Precision Complexes Holding has created an airspace monitoring system comprising mini radars that detect low-signature drones

Iran announces start of 'even larger, more devastating' attack on Israel

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps added that Israel, "despite extensive aid of the US and Western countries and possession of most modern and advanced defense technologies," could not counter Iranian missiles

Iran plans new retaliatory strikes against Israel — Khamenei

The head of the Islamic Republic said that the Zionist enemy must be punished and is already receiving punishment

US withdraws troops from two more bases in Syria — agency

According to the news agency, the Al-Wazir and Tel Baydar bases are now guarded by small contingents of the Syrian Democratic Forces