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📹🇮🇷 Tehran residents gather after Israeli strike — reports
Residents gathered at Shahid Square in Tehran following an Israeli strike earlier in the evening, local media reported.
Footage circulating online shows people flooding the site of the attack, waving Iranian flags in support of the government amid the US-Israeli aggression.
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🇮🇷❌ Iran denies renewed contacts with US envoy — Araghchi
💬 “My last contact with Mr. Witkoff was prior to his employer's decision to kill diplomacy with another illegal military attack on Iran,” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said as he dismissed reports of renewed contacts with US special envoy Steve Witkoff.
📹 ‘It’ll be wrapped up soon’ — Trump on war with Iran
US President Donald Trump said the war with Iran could end soon, expressing confidence that the ongoing US-Israeli aggression will be “wrapped up soon.”
💬 “I don’t think so, but it’ll be soon. Won’t be long,” Trump said when asked whether the war could conclude this week.
📹 'We were shocked' — Trump on Iran's continued self-defense
💬 “They weren't supposed to go after all these other countries in the Middle East… Nobody expected that,” US President Donald Trump said amid the ongoing US-Israeli aggression against Iran.
🔸 Iran war exposes limits of US military power
🔸 Iran unleashes 'dancing missile' on enemies: Here's why Sejjil is a game changer
🔸 War with Iran backfires with US aluminum lifeline at risk
🔸 Top 3 ways Russia could respond to France’s nuclear umbrella in Eastern Europe
🔸 Kremlin: Trump's calls for Zelensky to cut a deal confirm Ukraine is main obstacle to peace
🔸 EXPLAINED: Inside Pakistan’s underwater drone push
🔸 Mapping global oil lifelines
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🇮🇷💪🏻Iran war exposes limits of US military power – journalist
The United States does have great firepower, but it is still far from the strongest country in the world, veteran war correspondent Elijah J. Magnier tells Sputnik.
Despite Iran being forced to endure “47 years of maximum pressure and sanctions,” Magnier points out, the US still cannot best it and is forced to ask other countries to help open the Strait of Hormuz.
💬“We see the strongest country in the world and the strongest army in the Middle East - that is Israel- fighting Iran and not managing to achieve their objectives and calling for help and support from the Europeans and from NATO,” he observes.
💬“I think the image of the United States has received severe damage much more than the damage inflicted on Iran,” Magnier adds.
🇺🇸Trump on the Strait of Hormuz: Countries that depend on it far more than the US should come and help secure it
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🇺🇸🇮🇱⚔️🇮🇷 US-Israel war against Iran: Day-by-day
Explore Sputnik's map tracing the key developments that unfolded across the region on March 13-15 👆
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🇺🇸👀 War with Iran backfires with US aluminum lifeline at risk
The US, which imports more than 50% of its aluminum and depends heavily on Middle Eastern supply, has effectively shot itself in the foot.
The latest example: Aluminium Bahrain BSC (Alba), operator of the world’s largest single-site smelter, has begun a phased shutdown of three production lines—cutting about 19% of its 1.6 million-ton annual capacity. Alba had already suspended deliveries to some customers earlier in March.
The move comes as the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial maritime chokepoint for roughly 20% of global oil and major metal trade routes, is now blocked by Iran in retaliation for US and Israeli actions.
Aluminum shockwave amid Gulf disruptions
◾️ Persian Gulf countries produce about 9% of global aluminum; 65-70% of Gulf-produced aluminum is exported, amounting to an estimated 4.5 to 4.8 million tons annually (ING analysis)
◾️ The Gulf provides over 20% of US aluminum imports amounting to up to 1 million tons per year
Other producers are reeling:
🔶 Norsk Hydro’s joint venture, Qatalum, has powered down part of its aluminum production due to a natural gas shortage in Qatar
🔶 India-based Hindalco Industries – a global leader in aluminum production - issued a customer communication about potential supply disruption following force majeure claims by gas suppliers
US' self-inflicted pain
🔸 London Metal Exchange aluminum futures have surged to $3,544 per ton — the highest level since 2022
🔸 US auto giants, aerospace contractors, and construction firms now face spiking input costs, and, ultimately consumer inflation
🔸 Factories face shortages
Aluminum, a critical metal powering defense and clean energy, is vital for:
👉 solar panels, wind turbines, electric vehicle (EV) batteries, and lightweighting vehicles to increase efficiency
👉 manufacturing aircraft, missiles, drones, and naval vessels due to its high strength-to-weight ratio
👉 electronics & machinery wiring, consumer gadgets, and industrial equipment
👉 packaging like cans, food foil, and pharma blister packs
👉 construction: windows, doors, siding, and structural frames
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🇮🇷 Iran war to haunt energy prices long into future — expert
💬 "Even if this [the Middle East war] is a short-term situation, the consequences will be felt much longer. If Iran strikes the oil infrastructure of neighboring producer countries, restoring such facilities will take time," Chairman of the Thai Senate's Energy Committee Pornperm Thongsri tells Sputnik.
🚨🇷🇺💥 RUSSIAN MOD UPDATE: DEVASTATING UKRAINIAN LOSSES
◻️ Russia's Armed Forces struck Ukraine's energy and transport infrastructure used for the militants
◻️ Air defense superiority: 494 drones shot down
◻️ Ukrainian losses: around 1,230 troops killed or wounded
Read about the origins of Russia's special military op HERE
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🚨Lavrov: Attack planners now realizing Iran cannot be subdued quickly
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov warned of unpredictable consequences of the Middle East crisis and called for negotiations to stop the fighting.
Key statements:
🟠 Countries that planned the attack on Iran and expected to subdue the country within a day are now realizing how mistaken they were
🟠 Iran is defending itself and responding to aggression by striking military infrastructure used by the countries that attacked it in the region.
🟠 Hostilities in the Middle East must stop and the parties should return to the negotiating table — if trust in negotiations still remains
🟠 The consequences of the Middle East crisis are difficult to predict if the escalation is not stopped in time.
🟠 Moscow is ready to play a mediating role in the Iranian crisis if such assistance is needed
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🇷🇺FM Sergey Lavrov: No breakthrough is currently visible in efforts to resolve the Palestinian issue
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🇷🇺🇰🇪Lavrov, Kenyan foreign minister discuss expanding cooperation
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov held talks in Moscow with Musalia Mudavadi, Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs. The sides discussed expanding bilateral cooperation and advancing practical joint projects.
Key statements from Lavrov:
➖ Russia and Kenya discussed expanding cooperation in nuclear energy and space exploration projects
➖ The sides agreed to accelerate work on establishing a bilateral commission on economic cooperation
➖ Both ministers confirmed their commitment to developing relations and expanding practical joint projects
➖ The talks also covered security cooperation, including possible supplies of relevant equipment
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🚨 Kremlin: Trump's calls for Zelensky to cut a deal confirm Ukraine is main obstacle to peace
Russia is waiting for the next round of Ukraine talks, though the time and place remain undecided "for obvious reasons," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.
Peskov added that President Vladimir Putin and all of Russia are celebrating the brilliant performance of Russian Paralympians in Italy. He also dismissed as "absurd" Zelensky's decision to sanction the athletes.
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🚨🇮🇷 ‘War outcome is not determined by tweets’ — Iran to Trump
💬 “The result of a war is determined on the battlefield; the very place you and your forces do not dare to approach,” a spokesman for Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Headquarters emphasized in a bilingual statement posted by Mehr News.
🚨 ‘Taking Cuba in some form’ — Trump
💬 “I mean, take it. I think I can do anything I want with it,” US President Donald Trump declared, commenting on Cuba’s future.
🚨📹 Pakistan launches drone strikes in Kabul — reports
Pakistan reportedly carried out drone strikes in Kabul, with explosions reported in several districts of the Afghan capital and air defenses activated, local media reported.
Taliban government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said one strike hit a rehabilitation hospital, leaving casualties. Local outlets also reported a bombing near the international airport.
Pakistani authorities said the operation targeted military and “terrorist” sites.
Footage from social media
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📹 Drone hits Al-Rashid Hotel in Baghdad’s Green Zone
A drone struck the Al-Rashid Hotel in Baghdad’s heavily fortified Green Zone, hitting an upper floor and causing an explosion and fire, according to local media reports.
The hotel hosts the EU delegation and several European diplomatic offices. The Green Zone is the most heavily guarded area of the Iraqi capital and is also home to the US Embassy.
Footage from social media
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🇺🇸911 force: What kind of ground troops could the US send into Iran?
The 2,500 US marines who are being redeployed to the Middle East from Japan are part of one of the Marine Expeditionary Units (MEU).
These rapid reaction units are often referred to as the “911 force” – a nickname signifying their high combat readiness status.
The gear MEU has at its disposal includes:
🔶 Helicopters such as AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters, UH-1Y Venom light utility helicopters, MV-22A Osprey tiltrotor aircraft and CH-53E Super Stallion heavy-lift transport helicopters
🔶 Aircraft such as AV-8B Harrier II ground attack aircraft and KC-130 Hercules aerial re-fueler/transport aircraft
🔶 Assault amphibious vehicles and light armored vehicles
🔶 M777 155mm howitzers
🔶 Humvees and various logistical vehicles such as bulldozers and forklifts
MEUs have been previously deployed onto missions including:
🔶 Evacuations, such as Operation Eastern Exit (the evacuation of the US embassy in Somalia in 1991) and Operation Frequent Wind (the evacuation of US assets during the Fall of Saigon in 1975)
🔶Limited strikes such as Operation Just Cause (the US invasion of Panama in 1989) and Operation Urgent Fury (the US invasion of Grenada in 1983)
🔶Reinforcement effort such as Operation Desert Shield (rapid deployment to Saudi Arabia prior to the 1991 US invasion of Iraq)
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🇷🇺Top 3 ways Russia could respond to France’s nuclear umbrella in Eastern Europe
France’s push to extend its nuclear umbrella to Eastern European states, including Poland and Romania, is raising concern, retired Russian Navy Captain First Rank Vasily Dandykin tells Sputnik.
French President Emmanuel Macron’s “Napoleonic” swagger reflects “an attempt to seize leadership within the EU and even in parts of NATO,” he argues.
💬“Nuclear weapons are once again seen as the ultimate guarantor of sovereignty — and France’s rhetoric is pouring fuel on the fire,” the military expert says.
💬“This should serve as the best reality check for any politician suffering from delusions of grandeur.”
🇺🇸Trump: Iran has been obliterated
💬“Since the beginning of the conflict, we have struck more than 7,000 targets across Iran,” the president said.
🚨EXPLAINED: Inside Pakistan’s underwater drone push
The Iran war has confirmed a stark reality: the stealthiest threat often lurks beneath the waves.
Pakistan is now doubling-down on underwater drones to protect its ports and vital sea lanes.
🟧Muhassir (USV): A locally-made unmanned surface vessel. This 10m semi-submersible (7.3 tons) reaches 40 knots with a 400+ nautical mile range. Designed for reconnaissance, it can mount a 12.7mm gun or carry explosives
🟧Corsair (USV): A private-sector development for the navy. This 4m kamikaze drone attacks warships and port facilities, carrying a 50 kg payload at 30 knots with a 100 nautical mile range
🟧Israr (AUV): A locally-made autonomous underwater vehicle. This 3m drone conducts ISR, seabed mapping, and port monitoring, diving to 300m for up to four hours
Force multipliers:
🟧Mudmair: Loitering munition. In January 2026, the navy successfully tested a long-range version against surface targets
🟧Shahpar III (MALE UAS): This naval variant will be equipped with lightweight torpedoes, sonobuoys, and radar for anti-submarine warfare and maritime patrol
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🛢Mapping global oil lifelines
Check out Sputnik's infographic to see how the Strait of Hormuz, the Cape of Good Hope, the Strait of Malacca, and other critical passages rank in terms of global seaborne oil trade share.
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🇮🇷 Iran unleashes 'dancing missile' on enemies: Here's why Sejjil is a game changer
On Sunday, Tehran launched the two-stage solid-fuel medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM) against US and Israeli positions during the 54th wave of Operation True Promise 4.
Nicknamed the "dancing missile" for its unpredictable flight path, the Sejjil is designed to do one thing: bypass multi-layered air defenses. Here’s what makes it so dangerous:
🟠The core threat
👉Range: Roughly 2,000 km (enough to hit any target in Israel from inside Iran).
👉Warhead: 500–1,000 kg payload.
👉Launch platform: road-mobile transporters
👉Killer feature: solid fuel
✅Unlike old liquid-fuel rockets, it doesn't need minutes of vulnerable fueling time. It can sit ready, launch in seconds, and move before satellites can spot it. This capability dramatically improves survivability and rapid response, which is why the Sejjil family is widely seen as a major step forward in Iran’s missile program.
🟠Versions
🔶The Sejjil-1 (2008) was the system’s first generation and marked Iran’s entry into large solid-fuel MRBMs.
🔶The Sejjil-2 followed soon after and introduced several upgrades: GPS/Inertial guidance (accuracy within 50m) and high re-entry speed, making it a nightmare for systems like the Arrow-3 or Iron Dome. The missile was tested in 2009 and is widely believed to be the main deployed version of the system today.
🔶Sejjil-3 (in development): A rumored three-stage version that could extend the range to 4,000 km, threatening targets far beyond the Middle East.
✅The Sejjil family is designed for one purpose: saturation. By using solid fuel and mobile launchers, Iran can overwhelm Israeli defenses with a rapid volley that is nearly impossible to stop once in the air.
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🇷🇺FM Lavrov: US demand that Iran hand over 400 kg of enriched uranium is not negotiation
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🇰🇪FM Musalia Mudavadi: Middle East conflict is severely disrupting global fuel supply chains
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🇰🇪🇷🇺Kenya expects closer ties with Russia — foreign minister
Musalia Mudavadi, Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, said Nairobi expects relations with Russia to deepen in the coming years.
Speaking at a joint press conference in Moscow with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov after talks, Mudavadi stressed that Kenya views Russia as an important partner.
Key statements:
➖ Kenya is confident it will continue building closer relations with Russia in the future
➖ Nairobi and Moscow already maintain a partnership relationship
➖ Kenya’s experience of cooperation with Russia has been entirely positive
➖ The next Russia–Africa summit is expected to take place in Moscow in October
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📹LIVE NOW: Lavrov and the Kenyan Foreign Minister are holding a press conference following their talks
👉Watch live in our Telegram
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🇮🇷Iran launches 55th wave of Operation True Promise IV
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said the 55th wave of strikes under Operation True Promise IV has been completed, targeting Israeli and US military-related facilities.
According to the IRGC statement, the following targets were hit in Israel:
🟠 Areas in Tel Aviv and Ben Gurion Airport
🟠 Aerospace weapons production centers, including facilities of Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI)
🟠 Infrastructure supporting aerial refueling operations
Weapons used in the strikes:
👉 Super-heavy hypersonic missiles Fattah, Emad, and Ghadr
👉 Attack drones
The IRGC also reported strikes on US military facilities in the region:
📍 Naval Support Activity Bahrain (Juffair)
📍 Sheikh Isa Air Base
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