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Middle East conflict

IDF reports preparing strike on Iran, urges evacuation

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

TEL AVIV, June 18. /TASS/. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has urged residents of Tehran to immediately evacuate the city's southeastern area due to an impending strike on military facilities in the capital.

"In the coming hours, the Israeli army will carry out operations in the area targeting the Iranian regime’s military infrastructure, as it has been doing in recent days on the outskirts of Tehran," the IDF press service said on X.

"Dear residents, for your safety and well-being, we urge you to leave the designated area in Tehran’s 18th district immediately. Remaining in this zone puts your life at serious risk," the statement added.

Middle East conflict

Iranian air defense thwarts Israeli drone attack on Tehran province — IRGC

According to the report, two drones were destroyed near Tehran’s oil refinery

Many unidentified bodies of Ukrainian soldiers in Zaporozhye region — Russian official

Yevgeny Balitsky also emphasized that, in general, Kiev’s losses are significantly higher than those of the Russian army

Gazprom and Turkey discuss Russian gas exports — company

In particular, gas exports from Russia to Turkey were discussed

Moscow determined not to lose advantage over Kiev, says Kremlin spokesman

Russia has repeatedly stated that it will only agree to a ceasefire if Kiev stops getting foreign military aid

Air defenses in action in southwest Tehran

Apart from that, the agency said an explosion was heard near the city of Rasht in the north of the Islamic Republic

IDF registers launch of Iranian missiles towards Israel

Civilians were instructed to enter a protected space and remain there until further notice

Putin and Xi Jinping highlight growth in Russia-China economic cooperation

Russian Presidential Aide Yury Ushakov said that last year, trade turnover once again reached a record high, approaching $245 bln

US sees possibility of using tactical nuclear weapons in Iran — Fox News journalist

Earlier, The Guardian wrote that US President Donald Trump was not examining the possibility of using tactical nuclear weapons for a strike on the facility

Il-96-400M to complement passenger jets line — minister

Anton Alikhanov added that the aircraft is capable of providing for transport connectivity of the country on passenger routes and freight logistics

In conflict with Israel, Hezbollah will do ‘what it sees fit’ — leader

Hezbollah Secretary General Naim Qassem did not elaborate on whether the movement plans full-scale participation in the ongoing armed conflict

Global economy will not benefit from Israeli-Iranian conflict

Russian presidential envoy for relations with international organizations Boris Titov said that relations between Israel and Iran have been virtually non-existent for quite a while, because "both states are in a semi-war state"

Russia warns US against interfering in military actions against Iran — MFA

Maria Zakharova said that it would be an extremely dangerous step with unpredictable negative consequences

Iran urges UN Security Council to demand Israel halt attacks on nuclear facilities

"Iran also urges the Security Council to demand an immediate cessation of all such attacks and to reaffirm the inviolability of safeguarded nuclear sites and facilities, in line with international law and the Charter of the United Nations, the Statute of the Agency, and IAEA General Conference Resolutions," the letter said

Russia enjoys strategic advantage in its special military op in Ukraine — Putin

Troops are advancing along the entire line of contact, Russian President said

Largest protest since declaration of martial law takes place in Kiev

The protesters gathered downtown near the entrance to the House of Trade Unions, which was cordoned off by the police

Seven Russian citizens were among evacuated crew of tanker Adalynn — consulate-general

According to an official from the Russian consulate general in Dubai, the entire evacuated crew has been accommodated in a hotel in the emirate of Fujairah

Israel attacks Iran’s Rasht off Caspian Sea coast

The strike was delivered on the territory of the Sefidrud Technology Park

Another group of Russian soldiers returned in prisoner swap with Ukraine

In exchange, a group of Ukrainian POWs was handed over to Kiev

Leaders of Russia, China agree to give orders to exchange data on Iran — Kremlin aide

Yury Ushakov said that Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping concurred on the importance of close coordination in the coming days

Europe loses some $1.14 trillion by cutting Russian natural gas supplies — RDIF chief

Special Representative of Russian President for investment and economic cooperation Kirill Dmitriev added that at the same time the US losses from imposed sanctions against Russia exceeded $300 billion

White House believes Iran can create nuclear weapon in ‘couple weeks’

"That is something that the entire world, including countries like Russia, is in agreement that Iran should not and cannot obtain a nuclear weapon," Karoline Leavitt stressed

Some 488,000 explosive devices defused in Kursk Region this year

As of June 19, a total of 42,000 hectares of land have been cleared from mines

Israel’s Iron Dome intercepted 65% of Iranian missiles over past day, news report says

According to the official, Iranian missiles are equipped with a navigation system for the final phase of their flight that helps them accurately hit designated targets

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

Iran threatens to attack Israel's Channel 14 television

According to the Fars news agency, Tehran views the television channel as a center of "propaganda and support for terrorism"

Kiev regime knows peace would lead to its ouster from power — Russian Foreign Ministry

The Russian Foreign Ministry said that the use of a wide range of repressive measures against much of the population is necessary for Kiev as the only and surest way to maintain power

US officials preparing for possibility of strike on Iran in coming days — agency

The US administration has not yet confirmed this report

Iran may isolate some of US Navy warships in Persian Gulf — NYT

According to the newspaper, Iran has an opportunity to install mines in the Strait of Hormuz, which will leave US warships isolated in the Persian Gulf

Air defenses down 61 Ukrainian drones over Russian regions last night — Defense Ministry

Voronezh Region Governor Alexander Gusev said that there were no casualties or damage

Iran launches combined strike on Israel using strategic missiles, drones — IRGC

According to the report, during the attack, a precision strike was launched at a command and reconnaissance center of the Israeli regime’s army, located near a hospital

Russia, China to hold joint military drills in 2025 — Vladimir Putin

The Russian president stressed that this is extremely important for ensuring stability in global affairs

Ruble will return to forecast values as inflation declines — Deputy PM Novak

The current strong exchange rate of the ruble reflects the market situation, he added

Iran won’t halt strikes until after Israel pays reparations — National Security Council

The council warned that Iran will retaliate immediately to any country that will step in the conflict on the side of Israel

Talks with Ukraine, Western provocation, and the Middle East: Russian MFA’s statements

The timing of the third round of Russia-Ukraine negotiations "will be set in the near future"

At least 16 detained in Iran on suspicion of supporting Israel

The detainees are accused of "sowing panic on the internet in an attempt to weaken the solidarity in the Iranian society"

Ukraine operation confirms advantages of Russian weapons over western ones

Russian Security Council Deputy Secretary Alexey Shevtsov still noted that the latest weapons are useless without properly trained personnel

INTERVIEW: Russian trade ministry plans to reduce costs of first batches of Russian planes

At present, the work is under way to contract the following batches with deliveries until 2030

Russia ready to supply oil for Hungary-Serbia pipeline — Novak

According to the Russian deputy prime minister, this is a significant project that will broaden Serbia’s access to oil supply routes

Trump leaves G7 Summit early because of Macron, Zelensky — media

The US president departed before the meeting concluded, failing to sign the draft joint statement of the G7 leaders regarding the Iran-Israel conflict

Impossible to guarantee ZNPP security even if Kiev's forces pushed 20-30 km from Dnieper

According to Yevgeny Balitsky, the Governor of Zaporozhye Region, a victory over the Kiev regime is essential

Zelensky's hard-luck trip, Middle East: Putin talks global developments with Xi

The conversation between the two leaders was devoted "primarily to discussing the aggravated situation in the Middle East"

Russia receives no military assistance requests from Iran — Kremlin spokesman

Dmitry Peskov noted that Russia’s support for Iran is evident

Russia hopes blocking of Strait of Hormuz can be avoided — Russian Deputy Prime Minister

According to Alexander Novak, of all the world's oil exports, about one-third comes from the Persian Gulf countries through the Strait of Hormuz

US doesn’t see any signs China could provide military assistance to Iran — White House

According to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, the US president "enjoys a very respectful and cordial relationship" with China's President Xi Jinping

Russia demands official apology from Rome over 'monstrous' Kremlin post — diplomat

According to Maria Zakharova, "the situation with free speech in Italy has reached a really frightening stage"

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 administration not fond of Zelensky office head Yermak — newspaper

One of the people familiar with Andrey Yermak’s interactions with the administration of US President Donald Trump described him as a "bipartisan irritator"

Russia set to build relations with Syria’s incumbent government — Kremlin spokesman

In many aspects, the events in Syria were caused partially by external influence, Dmitry Peskov believes

Kata'ib Hezbollah threatens to close straits of Hormuz, Bab el-Mandeb

The Kata'ib Hezbollah spokesman added that US planes "should expect surprises" in the skies above the Middle East

Israel hits military, industrial, scientific facilities in Tehran — army statement

According to the Israeli army, the overnight attack involved 60 fighter jets, which fired about 120 munitions

Russia-Arab summit to strengthen Moscow's ties with Arab world — Bahraini minister

According to Abdullah Adel Abdullah Fakhro, Bahrain has initiatives that will be put forward during the summit related to the launch of a platform for Arab-Russian industrial cooperation and the creation of a mechanism to facilitate trade exchanges between Russia and the Arab League

Military conflict in Ukraine could spread to Europe — Kherson governor

Vladimir Saldo added that continued military supplies to Ukraine are more probable than direct involvement of European troops in the conflict

Russia’s Angara-A5 carrier rocket with satellites blasts off from Plesetsk spaceport

Angara is a family of Russian launch vehicles ranging from light-to heavy-lift classes

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

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

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

Taurus missiles won’t stop Russia’s advance in special op zone — Putin

Russian President noted that taking into account the fact that the Ukrainian armed forces are only 47% staffed, the presence of Taurus missiles "makes absolutely no sense"

IAEA to continue inspections in Iran when security conditions permit — chief

The organization's CEO noted that he will remain in the country

Russian army to liberate last 20 sq. km of Lugansk region — LPR head

According to military reports, the Russian army can free this territory within the shortest time possible

INTERVIEW: American companies want to return to Russia — presidential envoy

At the same time, Russian presidential envoy for relations with international organizations Boris Titov added that "there is a small flow [of companies returning into Russia] even now"

Bundestag member suggests Russia, US team up to bring Nord Streams back online

According to Matthias Moosdorf, Alternative for Germany would support bringing the pipelines back online

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

Putin to speak at plenary session of St. Petersburg International Economic Forum

At first, the Russian leader is expected to deliver a speech about the situation in politics and economy, both on the domestic and global level

Strike on Bushehr NPP may trigger nuclear disaster similar to Chernobyl — Rosatom head

Alexey Likhachev, the CEO of Russia’s state nuclear energy corporation Rosatom expressed hope that Israel’s political and military leadership understands that even an accidental hit on Bushehr must be prevented

Khamenei’s adviser says West wants to subdue Iran, doesn’t care about nuclear program

"They want domination over Iran and are trying to undermine the foundations of our national dignity," Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said

Russia intends to withdraw from agreement on military-technical cooperation with Germany

The Russian Foreign Ministry emphasized that the German leadership is deliberately ideologically manipulating the German population in the anti-Russian direction, openly provoking the exacerbation of the military-political situation

Russia will achieve goals on Ukraine militarily if peace effort fails — Putin

The Russian President stated this at a meeting organized by TASS with the heads of leading world news agencies

Area of Iran’s Arak heavy water plant comes under Israeli attack — Mehr

According to the news agency, there are no risks of radioactive contamination

Trump fears Iran may turn into 'another Libya' — NYP

According to information obtained by New York Post, Trump favors limited strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites in Natanz and Fordow

Trump to make decision on strikes on Iran within two weeks — White House

The US President believes that there still are chances for diplomacy with Tehran

Date for third round of Ukraine talks to be determined next week — Kremlin

"We, of course, will have to compare the reaction of the sides to the memorandums" that the countries exchanged at the latest talks in Turkey, according to Dmitry Peskov

US use of nuclear weapons in Iran would lead to catastrophic developments — Kremlin

As Dmitry Peskov noted, there are so many speculations that "it’s impossible to comment on them"

Russia plans to gradually increase production of aircraft — minister

According to Russian Minister of Industry and Trade Anton Alikhanov 23 MS-21 planes are currently at various stages of completion at the production in Irkutsk

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

Alexander Pankin also expressed skepticism about UN reform efforts

Russia, Indonesia to develop defense cooperation — declaration

The sides alsi plan to improve the legal framework for military cooperation

Colombia officially joins BRICS bank — Foreign Minister

According to Laura Sarabia, joining the NDB shows that the republic's leadership continues "forging new paths toward opportunities for the country"

West to cut arms flow to Kiev amid Iran-Israel conflict — Russian official

Zaporozhye Region Governor Yevgeny Balitsky urged to take advantage of the situation

Trump should not expect ‘small and victorious’ war against Iran — Russian senator

In Russian Federation Council Deputy Speaker Konstantin Kosachev words, Trump "has not proven to be effective as far as his other policies are concerned"

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

Russian troops liberate Novonikolayevka community in Donetsk region over past day

Kiev loses 1,365 troops in all frontline areas over past day

Press review: Washington mulls Iran strike as Russia and US plan 15 joint ventures by 2025

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, June 19th

US intervention to entail terrible turn in conflict around Iran — Kremlin

Earlier, Bloomberg reported that the United States was preparing for a potential strike on Iran in the coming days, though there was uncertainty about whether plans might change

Mounting costs may prevent Israel from conducting lengthy war against Iran — newspaper

According to The Wall Street Journal, air defenses alone can amount to $200 million a day, while ammunition and aircraft also add to the price tag of the war

Many Donbass mineral reserves classified under Stalin — Donbass head

Denis Pushilin said that many deposits are still classified

Iran denies former president Ahmadinejad was killed

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

Return of Western companies to Russia unrealistic for now, Kremlin believes

"No companies are planning to return to Russia yet," Dmitry Peskov said

Iran was not making nuclear bomb when Israeli attacks began — IAEA chief

The two countries continue to exchange strikes

Lugansk People's Republic ready to launch rail service with Moscow — head of republic

As soon as the Russian army moves the line of combat contact a little, the first train could be launched, Leonid Pasechnik said

Iran strikes Israel’s cyber command headquarters — IRNA

According to the news agency, thousands of servicemen responsible for intelligence data processing and cyber operations were stationed there

Finance minister says Russian economy cooling down

Anton Siluanov added that summer always comes after the cold

Grossi made IAEA tool for unleashing war against Iran — MFA

Esmaeil Baghaei contended that the IAEA has failed to produce concrete evidence that Iran is actively seeking to develop nuclear weapons

Russian economy on brink of recession — economic development minister

Maxim Reshetnikov noted that figures point to slowdown

Putin says not even discussing possibility of Ayatollah Khamenei’s assassination

Russian President said at a meeting with the heads of the world's leading news agencies organized by TASS, when asked what Russia's reaction would be if Israel were to assassinate the ayatollah

US, Iran remain in contact — White House

According to Karoline Leavitt, contacts are going on "in both indirect and direct ways"

Kremlin spokesman sees current Middle East situation as dangerous for entire world

Dmitry Peskov added that an enlargement of the composition of the participants of the conflict is potentially even more dangerous

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

Attacks on nuclear facilities could lead to new Chernobyl tragedy — Medvedev

"Everyone, even the Israeli defense minister, with his loud declaration about Khamenei's fate, must understand that attacks on nuclear facilities are extremely dangerous and can lead to a repeat of the Chernobyl tragedy," he said

Kremlin says Russia tolerant of Trump's way of speaking, expects reciprocity

Dmitry Peskov pointed out that President Trump has his own unique way of speaking

US could strike Iran as soon as next weekend — Hersh

According to the American journalist Seymour Hersh, the operation will "entail heavy American bombing"

US intelligence believes that strike on Fordow may spur Iran’s nuclear ambitions

In their opinion, the killing of Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei may also prompt Iran to make a nuclear weapon

Durov irks French intelligence services waging information war against Russia — media

According to the report, the French intelligence agencies were particularly irritated by Durov's statements about the alleged trip of Nicolas Lerner, the chief of the French Directorate General for External Security, to Romania