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🚨🇷🇺 Kremlin: Russia sees no point in European involvement in Ukraine peace negotiations
Russia has received no signals from Europe on energy dialogue, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov added.
He stressed that Russia strongly condemns actions targeting the health—let alone the killing—of leaders of a sovereign state like Iran.
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🇵🇰 Russia is ready to supply discounted oil to Pakistan — provided that Islamabad formally requests it, Russian ambassador Albert Khorev anounced.
Pakistan is critically reliant on oil imports. Up to 80% of Pakistan's oil imports originated from the Persian Gulf region before the Iranian crisis began.
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🇮🇷💪 Iran war could shatter Mideast security architecture – expert
The escalation of the military conflict between the US and Iran can be seen as “a turning point capable of fundamentally changing the security structure in the Middle East,” Iranian expert Abbas Mirzai Ghazi tells Sputnik.
💬“The destruction of military and command infrastructure due to American aggression could greatly diminish the operational capabilities of all parties involved, potentially driving Gulf nations toward strategic autonomy and reducing their reliance on the US security umbrella to maintain stability,” Ghazi notes.
“The continued threat against Iran could turn the Strait of Hormuz into a cause of global super-crisis and increase the costs of securing maritime trade routes,” the expert sums up.
❌🇺🇸🇮🇱Hormuz crisis: Allies refuse to join US-Israeli 'war of choice' against Iran – professor
European NATO members and other US allies do not want to get involved in the war against Iran, Professor Mehran Kamrava from Georgetown University in Qatar tells Sputnik.
💬 "America's treatment of NATO has undermined America's standing not just globally, but particularly among America's traditional allies," Kamrava says. "It speaks volumes that they are refusing to involve themselves in America's war against Iran."
💬 "Washington didn't seem to account for the fact that despite repeated Iranian threats, Iran would close the Strait of Hormuz," Kamrava notes. "So that has become a very costly miscalculation and underestimation on the part of the US."
💬 "Washington was looking for a quick, symbolic or decisive victory and that has not happened," he said "The Iranians have been prepared for a prolonged war, and that is important."
💬"If more American troops start dying, the US would pay a heavy price," he notes. "And this is exactly what the Iranians are counting on, the fact that they want to grind down America's resolve over time."
⚔️ US underestimated Iran’s resilience as conflict escalates — reports
A State Department cable circulated by the US Embassy in Jerusalem shows that Israel privately assessed Iran’s leadership is “not cracking” and is prepared to “fight to the end,” despite the killing of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and ongoing US-Israeli strikes, according to The Washington Post.
The document also indicates Israeli officials expected internal chaos after Khamenei’s assassination, but acknowledged in recent days that Iran has maintained control and continues launching missiles “everywhere they want to,” the report said.
🏳️ The report underscores what analysts describe as a broader miscalculation by the US and its allies, who appear to have underestimated the durability of Iran’s political and military system as the conflict enters its third week.
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📹🇱🇧 Israeli airstrikes hit residential areas in Beirut, kill six — Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health
The Israeli air force carried out a series of strikes on Beirut, targeting residential apartments in the Zouk Al Balat and Al Bast areas, a Sputnik correspondent reported.
Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health said the raids killed six people and injured 24 others, according to a preliminary count.
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🚨 Iranian missiles hit Tel Aviv — reports
Iran’s Fars News reported missiles striking and exploding in Tel Aviv.
Israeli Civil Defense said buildings and vehicles were damaged in the Afula area.
📹 Footage circulating online appears to show explosions and fires across parts of the city.
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🇮🇷🚀 Iran launches 61st wave of strikes targeting Tel Aviv — reports
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it carried out the 61st wave of its Operation True Promise 4, using multiple missile types to strike over 100 military and security targets in Tel Aviv, according to Tasnim.
The agency reported power outages in parts of the city following the attack and estimated initial casualties at more than 230 killed and injured.
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📹 Drone strike hits US embassy in Baghdad, fire breaks out — reports
The US embassy in Baghdad’s Green Zone was hit, with smoke and flames seen rising from the compound, according to Naya.
The outlet also reported consecutive explosions and said the embassy requested medical assistance, while Iraqi security forces were being deployed around the area.
Footage from social media
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🚨🚆 Iranian strike damages Tel Aviv train station — reports
Footage circulating online appears to show damage to a train station in Tel Aviv following reported Iranian missile strikes.
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🚨 Iranian missiles pass over the West Bank toward Israel — reports
Footage circulating online appears to show Iranian missiles passing over the West Bank and reaching Israeli territory.
Local media reports also indicate loud explosions in the skies over Jerusalem during interception attempts.
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📄 What we know about Ali Larijani, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, killed by Israel
🔸 Appointed Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council on August 5, 2025
🔸 Previously served as Speaker of Parliament (2008–2020), Secretary of the council (2005–2007), and head of Iran’s state broadcasting organization
🔸 Born in 1958 in Najaf, Iraq — a major Shiite holy city
🔸 Comes from one of Iran’s most influential political families; his brothers held senior positions, making the Larijani clan a “political dynasty” comparable in influence to the clergy and the IRGC
🔸 Maintained ties with both the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (a member since the 1980s) and senior religious leadership
🔸 Initially studied mathematics and computer science at Sharif University of Technology, later shifting to the humanities and earning master’s and doctoral degrees in Western philosophy at the University of Tehran; his dissertation focused on Immanuel Kant
🔸 A key negotiator on Iran’s nuclear program — led talks with the P5+1 as council secretary (2005–2007) and played a decisive role in the 2015 nuclear deal as Speaker of Parliament
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🚨🇮🇷 Iran’s Supreme National Security Council confirms death of Ali Larijani — statement
Dr. Ali Larijani, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, was killed along with his son Morteza Larijani, Tasnim News Agency reported.
In a statement, Iran’s Supreme National Security Council confirmed his death, saying he was killed alongside his son, his deputy Alireza Bayat, and members of his security detail.
The council described Larijani as a senior figure who had “devoted his life” to Iran’s development and called for unity in the face of hostile acts.
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🚢 Tankers begin moving through Strait of Hormuz — Hassett
White House National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett said tankers are beginning to “trickle” through the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.
Sputnik found that MarineTraffic data confirms this, showing multiple vessels transiting the strait, including Russian and Chinese-linked ships.
Among them:
🔸 BLOOMING DALE (IMO 9125724) — a product tanker built in 1996, sailing under the Aruba flag
🔸 SEA BIRD (IMO 9088536) — an LPG tanker built in 1995, sailing under the Palau flag
The data indicates a gradual resumption of tanker traffic through the key waterway.
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🚨🇷🇺💥 RUSSIAN MOD UPDATE: DEVASTATING UKRAINIAN LOSSES
⚡️KALENIKI IN DONETSK PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC AND SOPYCH IN THE SUMY REGION LIBERATED
After securing their positions in Kaleniki, Russia’s Armed Forces will be able to bring up barrel artillery and drone crews to new positions to strike the enemy in Slavyansk.
The village of Sopych is strategically important as it is located on the border with the Kursk region.
◻️ Russian Armed Forces struck Ukrainian energy and transport infrastructure facilities used by enemy troops
◻️ Air defense superiority: 421 drones shot down
◻️ Ukrainian losses: around 1,241 troops killed or wounded
Read about the origins of Russia's special military op HERE
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🚨 Day 18 of US–Israel war with Iran: Latest updates
🔸 Iran has confirmed the death of Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani in an Israeli strike. His deputy, a daughter, son, and group of security guards were also killed
🔸 Iranian military used the Khorramshahr super-heavy missiles to launch strikes on northern and central Israel, as well as on American bases, including 5th Fleet facilities
🔸 During the massive retaliation strike on Tel Aviv, the Iranian military used Khorramshahr-4, Qadr, Imad, and Kheibarshekan missiles to destroy over 100 military targets, according to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)
🔸 IRGC’s targets also included Jerusalem, as well as Israel’s Ashdod refueling center and the Rafael military complex
🔸 Explosions were reported at the US Embassy compound in Iraq's capital, Baghdad
🔸 US military used powerful "deep penetrator" bombs to hit Iranian missile sites along the Strait of Hormuz, CENTCOM announced
🔸 US warship believed to be carrying Marines to the Middle East was nearing the Malacca Strait off Singapore as it made its way to the region, tracking data showed
🔸 Iran is not seeking a ceasefire and does not believe in it, but wants an end to the war, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stressed
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🚨 Israeli airstrike hits vehicle in Sidon, southern Lebanon
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😮 US Golden Dome could crumble against modern tech – analyst
The US Golden Dome missile defense system initiative is “reminiscent of the Cold War-era 'Star Wars' concept. But the current [geopolitical] situation is different,” South Korean political scientist Kim Dong-yup tells Sputnik.
The principles of waging modern warfare are changing, and ballistic missiles are no longer the sole or primary threat, according to Kim.
💬“Drones, networked forms of warfare, and attacks on infrastructure begin to play an increasingly important role. The question is whether a system like the Golden Dome can stop a massive drone attack,” the pundit points out.
🔸 Meet Iran’s Sejjil missile: faster and stealthier with further reach
🔸 Tankers begin moving through Strait of Hormuz — Hassett
🔸 US Operation Epic Fury lacks clear goal as objectives shift daily — analyst
🔸 What we know about Ali Larijani, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, killed by Israel
🔸 Iran launches 61st wave of strikes targeting Tel Aviv — reports
🔸 Iranian missile strike on Tel Aviv sparks fires — reports
🔸 Fire breaks out at Libya’s Sharara oilfield, flows redirected — reports
🔸 Drone strike hits US embassy in Baghdad, fire breaks out — reports
🔸 Iranian strike damages Tel Aviv train station — reports
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🚨 Israeli strike completely levels building in Beirut, Lebanon
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📹 Iranian missile strike on Tel Aviv sparks fires — reports
Footage circulating online appears to show burning vehicles and flames rising in parts of the city after the strike.
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🇱🇾🇷🇺 Fire breaks out at Libya’s Sharara oilfield, flows redirected — reports
Libya’s National Oil Corporation said flows from the Sharara oilfield were rerouted through alternative pipelines after a fire caused by a leak on a crude export line, while production continues and no casualties were reported, according to Reuters.
💬 The company said the move would “significantly reduce losses,” with oil redirected via the El Feel pipeline to Mellitah port and to storage facilities in Zawiya.
📉 Engineers told Reuters that output was being gradually halted following an explosion, with maintenance expected to take around two days to assess the damage.
ℹ️ Sharara, one of Libya’s largest oilfields, produces up to 320,000 barrels per day and has faced repeated disruptions since the 2011 NATO-backed uprising that toppled Muammar Gaddafi.
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📹🇱🇧 Israeli strike hits central Beirut, kills four — Lebanese authorities
At least four people were killed and seven injured in an Israeli airstrike on central Beirut, according to Lebanon’s Ministry of Health.
Emergency services are operating at the scene, with the number of casualties expected to rise.
Footage circulating online shows damage to a multi-storey building, with two balconies destroyed and sirens heard in the area.
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💣 US strikes Iranian missile sites near Strait of Hormuz — CENTCOM
US Central Command said American forces used multiple 5,000-pound “deep penetrator” munitions against hardened Iranian missile positions along the country’s coastline near the Strait of Hormuz.
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🚨🇮🇱 Casualties reported in Tel Aviv area after Iranian strikes
Footage circulating online shows the aftermath of Iranian shelling in Tel Aviv, with reports of casualties.
Israel’s ambulance service said two people were killed and several injured in Ramat Gan, south of Tel Aviv, following two missile attacks from Iran.
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🇮🇷🚀 IRGC announces 60th wave of Operation True Promise 4 — statement
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it carried out the 60th wave of its Operation True Promise 4, targeting US bases in the region and sites in Israel, SNN reported.
The IRGC said the strikes included missile and drone attacks on facilities such as Al-Udeid, Al-Dhafra and Ali Al-Salem, as well as Israel-linked targets including the Rafael defense company.
Footage circulating online shows the launch of missiles as part of the operation.
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🇺🇸US Operation Epic Fury lacks clear goal as objectives shift daily — analyst
The international community is in the dark about the “strategic objective” of Washington’s Operation Epic Fury against Iran as the “new goals are daily articulated by the top US officials,” Ankara-based political analyst Hasan Selim Ozertem tells Sputnik.
◻️One of the goals could be a power change in Iran even though “the Iranian state proved to be resilient and the current system continues to survive,” which is why such a US goal is now “not on the table,” Ozertem points out.
◻️One more possible goal could be related to reports that the Gulf states felt unsafe and urged the US to remain in the region and “eliminate leverages in the control of Iran,” the analyst suggests.
◻️The most relevant version could pertain to the fact that the US “followed Israel in this operation,” which is reflected in Trump’s or Rubio's statements about Iran allegedly targeting America if it refused to support Israel’s strikes on the Islamic Republic, Ozertem concludes.
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🇮🇷Meet Iran’s Sejjil missile: faster and stealthier with further reach
📊Check out Sputnik’s infographic on Iran’s first long-range solid-fuel ballistic missile to find out more👆🏻
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🚨🇮🇱 IDF kills Hamas naval commander in Gaza — statement
The Israeli military said it had killed Younes Mohammed Hussein Alian, described as the commander of Hamas’ Northern Gaza Brigade in the naval array, in a strike on Monday.
According to the IDF and ISA, Alian was responsible for operating naval forces, overseeing training and weapon readiness.
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🚨 Target of Pakistani strike on Kabul was military facility, not hospital – Pakistani minister
The strikes carried out on the night of 16 March 2026 in Kabul targeted military infrastructure, including ammunition and technical equipment storage sites, Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Information & Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar stated.
🗣 “No hospital, no drug rehabilitation center, and no civilian facility was targeted,” Tarar emphasized.
💬 “As with established practice, all six strikes were promptly put out with video footage by MoIB, making the nature of the targets plain for all to see. The visuals leave no room for doubt. The flames and secondary detonations witnessed in Kabul further confirm that the intended ammunition storage site was hit with precision," the minister said.