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🗣 Trump warns NATO faces 'very bad future' if allies don’t help in Hormuz — reports
US President Donald Trump warned that NATO could face a “very bad” future if US allies fail to assist Washington in reopening the Strait of Hormuz, according to an interview with The Financial Times.
💬 “It’s only appropriate that people who are the beneficiaries of the Strait will help to make sure that nothing bad happens there,” Trump told the FT, arguing that Europe and China depend heavily on Gulf oil.
💬 “If there’s no response or if it’s a negative response I think it will be very bad for the future of NATO,” Trump said.
💬 “We have a thing called NATO… We’ve been very sweet. We didn’t have to help them with Ukraine… But we helped them. Now we’ll see if they help us,” he said.
🗣 Trump demands support from US allies in the war on Iran
US President Donald Trump said Washington expects support from partner countries during the US-Israeli aggression against Iran.
💬 “Whether we get support or not… I said it to them, ‘WE WILL REMEMBER,’” Trump declared.
🗣 Trump disputes reports on US refueling aircraft
US President Donald Trump, speaking aboard Air Force One, rejected a report by The Wall Street Journal that several US refueling aircraft had been destroyed during the war.
💬 “The Wall Street Journal put out a false story that five of our big, beautiful tankers were all essentially destroyed. They weren't destroyed at all,” Trump said.
🚨🗣 Trump blames US failures on AI, alleges ‘disinformation’
President Donald Trump claimed Iran is using artificial intelligence and media manipulation to spread false reports about the US-Israeli aggression.
💬 “Buildings and Ships that are shown to be on fire are not — It’s FAKE NEWS, generated by A.I.,” Trump declared.
📹 Israel launches strikes on Hezbollah infrastructure in Beirut — IDF
The Israeli military said it is carrying out strikes targeting Hezbollah infrastructure in Beirut.
Footage circulating online shows columns of smoke rising from the southern suburbs of the Lebanese capital.
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🚢 US preparing coalition to escort ships through Hormuz — reports
The Trump administration plans to announce that several countries have agreed to form a naval coalition to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing US officials.
The initiative would focus on protecting vessels moving through the key shipping corridor along the Iranian coast, though officials are still discussing whether the escort operations would begin before or after the current hostilities end, the report said.
The report added that many countries have publicly remained noncommittal about joining such an escort mission while fighting continues, citing the risks involved.
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☠️US-Israel aggression against Iran could leave TOXIC legacy — expert
Advanced arms and munitions remnants — chemical or biological — are now tangibly affecting the air, water and soil in the Middle East as the US-Israeli war against Iran rages on, professor of climate change Alaa Sarhan tells Sputnik.
🗣One example of this are black clouds observed over Iran after US-Israeli strikes, the expert notes, adding such emissions directly impact the health of ordinary people.
❗️Given this, a comprehensive scientific review and audit of the situation are needed to accurately assess the scale and impact of the pollution, Sarhan concludes.
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🔸Iran ready to defend itself for as long as it takes — Foreign minister
🔸Further US attacks on Iran’s Kharg oil hub would be ‘economic suicide’ - expert
🔸Pentagon’s ground assault on Kharg Island poised for strategic fiasco - expert
🔸Kremlin: Pause in Ukraine talks as US has other priorities — and that's understandable
🔸'We will not be Ukraine’s colony': Thousands gather in Budapest for March of Peace
🔸Russia takes 3rd at Winter Paralympics with just six athletes
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🇺🇸👀US Energy Secretary Chris Wright says the Iran conflict will end within "weeks"
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🇮🇱 ⚔️ 🇮🇷 Israel running low on ballistic missile interceptors amid Iran conflict
Israeli authorities have informed the United States that they are experiencing a severe shortage of ballistic missile interceptors amid the conflict with Iran, Semafor reported, citing unnamed US officials.
👉 Israel reportedly entered the conflict already low on interceptors, having spent large stockpiles during the 12-day war in 2025
👉 A US source said Washington had known about the shortage for months and expected the situation
👉 The US itself is not facing a similar shortage, according to the official
It remains unclear whether Washington will sell or transfer interceptor systems to Israel, as doing so could strain US missile stockpiles.
A US official told Semafor that the Pentagon still has sufficient capabilities to protect its bases and personnel in the region, while Israel is now looking for ways to address the interceptor gap.
Sources also say the US maintains large inventories of THAAD interceptors, air-launched missiles and mid-course ballistic missile defense systems.
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🇷🇺Russia takes 3rd at Winter Paralympics with just six athletes
Russia’s team of just six athletes finished third in the medal standings at the 2026 Winter Paralympics in Italy, winning 12 medals: 8 gold, 1 silver, and 3 bronze.
👉 Anastasiia Bagiian became a three-time Paralympic champion, winning the sprint and the 10 km and 20 km races with guide Sergey Sinyakin.
👉 Varvara Voronchikhina won two golds (super-G, slalom), plus silver in giant slalom and bronze in downhill.
👉 Ivan Golubkov took two golds in the 10 km and 20 km races.
👉 Alexey Bugaev claimed gold in slalom and two bronzes (downhill, giant slalom).
It was also the first time since 2014 that Russian athletes competed at the Paralympics under national symbols.
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🇺🇸📉 Pentagon’s ground assault on Kharg Island poised for strategic fiasco - expert
Iran’s Kharg Island sits within range of the Islamic Republic’s coastal missile batteries and swarms of Ababil and Shahed attack drones, Andrey Chuprygin, senior lecturer at the Faculty of World Economy and International Affairs, tells Sputnik.
👉 This formidable array of weapons is capable of creating a no-access zone hundreds of kilometers wide.
A landing attempt could turn US carrier strike groups into prime targets for Khalij-e Fars - Iranian supersonic anti-ship ballistic missiles designed to destroy large surface vessels.
The US could end up paying thousands of lives—and potentially losing major warships—just to seize a tiny piece of land that would likely be mined and turned into a deadly trap before troops even arrive.
💬 “This isn’t just a risk — it’s a guaranteed strategic disaster for the Pentagon that could deal a lasting blow to US military prestige,” says the expert.
🇺🇸💣🇮🇷 Further US attacks on Iran’s Kharg oil hub would be ‘economic suicide’ - expert
Iran has “eliminated” the US' ability to cripple its economy with one strike on Kharg Island, Andrey Chuprygin, senior lecturer at the Faculty of World Economy and International Affairs, tells Sputnik.
💬 “The Islamic Republic has long adopted a policy of decentralizing its critical infrastructure and placing key pumping stations underground,” he explains.
💬 “Any US attempt to strike Iranian infrastructure looks like economic suicide because Iran can inflict symmetric damage on assets that are way more vulnerable and far less defended," he says.
💬 “For American industry and the transport sector, gasoline at sky-high prices could become a fatal factor,” he sums up.
🇪🇺 Europe ‘plunging headlong’ into energy crisis by refusing to ease sanctions on Russia — expert
As the US eases sanctions against Russian oil, EU countries are unwilling to follow its example, Doctor of Economics Igbal Guliyev tells Sputnik.
💬 "If they [the EU] do not do it themselves now, they will be plunging headlong into a new energy crisis in Europe," Guliyev says.
🇷🇺 Kremlin: Pause in Ukraine talks as US has other priorities — and that's understandable
Negotiations on Ukraine have entered a pause as Washington focuses on other priorities, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in comments to the Financial Times.
Key statements:
🔶 Moscow remains open to a diplomatic settlement, in line with President Vladimir Putin’s position, despite a positive dynamic for Russia on the battlefield
🔶 European countries are spending their efforts persuading Ukraine to continue the fighting rather than encouraging a peaceful resolution
🔶 A French representative recently visited Russia as part of dialogue on Ukraine, but the meeting produced no positive signals and did not advance the peace process
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🚨🗣 ‘You could make the case that maybe we shouldn’t even be there at all’ — Trump on US-Israeli war against Iran
US President Donald Trump suggested the United States might not need to be involved in the confrontation in the Strait of Hormuz, noting that the country has ample domestic energy resources.
He also said other countries that rely heavily on energy shipments through the waterway “should come and… help us protect” the route.
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❌🗣 Trump declines to declare victory in his war on Iran
US President Donald Trump said he is not ready to officially declare victory against Iran despite claiming the country has been heavily damaged by the ongoing US-Israeli aggression.
💬 “There's no reason to. I think I'd just say they're decimated,” Trump said when asked whether he would declare victory.
🚨🚢 US seeking allies to 'police' the Strait of Hormuz — Trump
President Donald Trump said the United States is discussing cooperation with other countries on “policing” the Strait of Hormuz, speaking aboard Air Force One.
💬 “We are talking to other countries about working with us on the policing of the Strait. And I think we're getting good response,” Trump said.
💬 “It'd be interesting to see what country wouldn't help us with a very small endeavor, which is just keeping the Strait open.”
📹 Iran launches more missiles toward Israel — IDF
The Israeli military said its air defense systems are operating to intercept the projectiles.
Footage from social media
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🇲🇽🤝🇨🇺 Mexico will keep supporting Cuba — Sheinbaum
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum vowed Mexico will continue to support the Cuban people despite criticism from political opponents, speaking at an event in Nayarit.
She commented on a message from former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, who said he felt “very hurt” by the situation facing Cubans after decades of US sanctions and a recently imposed energy blockade.
💬 “We will continue to support the people of Cuba from the government, and anyone who wants to support them should do so,” Sheinbaum said.
💰 US has spent about $12 billion on its war against Iran — Hassett
Kevin Hassett, Director of the US National Economic Council, said the US aggression against Iran has cost roughly $12 billion so far.
He added it is unclear whether the administration will need to seek additional funding from Congress.
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🇮🇷Enemies must surrender or will face powerful retaliation - Iran's top commander
🟠Iran’s armed forces are determined to defeat their aggressors and have already exposed the declining power of the US and Israel, Major General Ali Abdollahi, commander of Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, told Press TV.
🟠The country is ready to “utilize all geopolitical capacities, including managing passage through the Strait of Hormuz,” Abdollahi added.
🟠Iran maintains its military strategy as strictly defensive, but is ready to retaliate against any form of aggression, he emphasized.
💬“The criminal US must know that the era of plundering nations across the world is over... Regional nations should see that the US cannot and will no longer be able to provide them with security and that the US presence in every part of the world has so far resulted in nothing but instability and insecurity,” the commander added.
🚨US Victory base near Baghdad airport targeted by rockets and drones - Iraqi security source
"A logistics center of the US Victoria military base near Baghdad airport was attacked by three drones and several rockets, which were shot down by air defense forces. No information on casualties has been received yet," the source tells Sputnik.
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🇺🇸🇮🇱⚔️🇮🇷 US–Israel war against Iran: Latest updates
◻️ Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the conflict can end only if there are guarantees it will not be repeated and if compensation for damages is paid
◻️ 153 medical institutions in Iran have been damaged during the war, according to media reports
◻️ An IRGC Navy commander said previously detained tankers have been released
◻️ Iran’s army said powerful drone attacks targeted an Israeli special police unit and a satellite communications center
◻️ Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani said remnants of Jeffrey Epstein’s network allegedly planned a 9/11-style incident to blame Iran, stressing Tehran opposes such actions and is not at war with the American people
◻️ Parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf wrote that Donald Trump's nine claims in two weeks that Iran had been defeated are hilarious
◻️ Araghchi said wrong advice given to the US president is responsible for the bloodshed in what he calls a war imposed on both Iranians and Americans
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🇮🇷Iran ready to defend itself for as long as it takes — Foreign minister
Iran is prepared to continue defending itself for as long as needed and is not asking for a ceasefire or negotiations, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told CBS, outlining Tehran’s position amid the ongoing conflict.
Key statements:
◻️ There are currently no proposals on the table between the United States and Iran
◻️ During earlier talks with Washington, Iran was willing to make concessions demonstrating it had no intention of developing nuclear weapons
◻️ Enriched uranium remains under the rubble of nuclear facilities destroyed by US strikes and could theoretically be recovered under IAEA supervision, though there are currently no plans to do so
◻️ Iran is ready to discuss ensuring safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz with other countries
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🇭🇺❌ 'We will not be Ukraine’s colony': Thousands gather in Budapest for March of Peace
People marched through the center of the Hungarian capital in support of Prime Minister Viktor Orban and against Kiev’s oil blackmail.
A banner with the slogan led the march.
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🇺🇸🛢🇨🇳US aggression towards Iran aimed at capturing China's oil market - expert
💬 "In 2025, according to the statistics, Venezuela, Iran, and Russia accounted for about 33% of oil supplies to China. So, theoretically, the US simply wants to secure its share of the Chinese market," leading research fellow at the Institute of Economics of the Russian Academy of Sciences Dmitry Kondratov said.
💬 "I believe this was purely an economic decision," Kondratov noted.
📹Iran launches Sejjil MRBM missile as 54th wave of Operation True Promise 4 begins - IRIB News
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🚨🇷🇺💥 RUSSIAN MOD UPDATE: DEVASTATING UKRAINIAN LOSSES
🟠 Russia's Armed Forces struck Ukraine's energy and transport infrastructure used for the Ukrainian forces
🟠 Air defense superiority: two Neptune missiles and 605 drones shot down
🟠 Ukrainian losses: around 1,315 troops killed or wounded
Read about the origins of Russia's special military op HERE
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🇮🇷🗣 Iran FM: US deploys Shahed lookalikes to hit Arab states and frame Tehran
The US has created a drone called Lucas, identical to Iran's Shahed, and is using it to strike targets in Arab countries, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has stated.
He suggested Israel may also be behind such attacks to disrupt relations between Iran and Arab states, emphasizing that Iran itself does not target civilian or residential areas in the region.
👉 Araghchi announced Iran's readiness to form a joint committee with regional countries to investigate the strikes, noting that diplomatic ties with Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and neighbors remain intact.
He reiterated that the Strait of Hormuz is open to all except the US and its allies.
While Iran welcomes any regional initiative leading to a just end to the war, Araghchi noted that no concrete proposal has yet been made. He concluded by warning that any US move to occupy Kharg Island would be an even greater mistake than attacking it.
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