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Middle East conflict

Trump says he may send Vance or Witkoff to meet with Iran — journalist

"It depends what happens when I get back," the US leader said

WASHINGTON, June 17. /TASS/. US President Donald Trump has not ruled out the possibility that he might send Vice President JD Vance or US Special Presidential Envoy Steve Witkoff to negotiate with Iran on a settlement in the conflict with Israel.

"I may," he said in response to a corresponding question posed by CBS News reporter Jennifer Jacobs who quoted Trump on her page on the X social network.

"It depends what happens when I get back," the US leader said aboard the presidential plane from Canada to the US.

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

Readiness to move forward essential for Russia, US — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov pointed out that conversations between the two presidents are the top of an iceberg

Russia tolerated Donbass situation for eight years trying to negotiate — Putin

Instead of launching negotiations the army was enforced, Russian President 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

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

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

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

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

If Ukrainian president illegitimate, entire government structure illegitimate — Putin

All top brass is appointed by presidents, Russian President 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

Iran says it used undetectable missiles to strike Mossad headquarters

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

North Korean construction workers may help with restoration of Russian borderline areas

According to Russian Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin, major organizational work would be required in order to attract foreigner experts to restore the Russian territories

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

Russia offered Iran air defense projects, Tehran showed little interest — Putin

The countries' strategic partnership agreement does not contain any articles related to defense, Russian President said

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

Air defenses destroy 81 Ukrainian UAVs over 11 Russian regions overnight

Bryansk Region Governor Alexander Bogomaz said there were no injuries or damage after 19 fixed-wing UAVs were destroyed over the bordering Russian region

Moscow will not allow Ukraine to have troops that threaten Russia — Putin

Russian President reiterated that demilitarization was among the objectives of the Russian special military operation

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 has no other choice but to protect its territorial integrity — foreign ministry

"International law prohibits forcing a country to make decisions through pressure and threats," Esmail Baqaei stressed

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

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

Putin says open to speaking with Merz if German chancellor wants to call him

Russia is always open to contacts with Europe, Russian President said

Russia to continue with Bushehr NPP project in Iran, says Putin

The construction of a nuclear power plant near the city of Bushehr in southern Iran was launched in 1975

Putin says Trump’s business background is his advantage

He can calculate what this or that measure with regard to Russia may entail, how much it will cost to taxpayers, how much it will cost to the US economy, Russian President said

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

The US president again essentially demanded that Iran capitulate

Court of The Hague rejects Ukrainian company's claim to seize Gazprom assets

The Hague court also ordered Zhniva to reimburse legal costs

Another group of Russian soldiers returned in prisoner swap with Ukraine

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

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"

Finance minister says Russian economy cooling down

Anton Siluanov added that summer always comes after the cold

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

Russia retains trusting ties with Iran, Israel — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov reiterated that the Russian head of state thinks that a resolution is possible even amid the most complex conflict between Iran and Israel

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

Russia constantly upgrades its Armed Forces and defensive capabilities — Putin

Certain threats are definitely on the agenda, Russian President said

Iran may attack US ships if US intervenes in conflict — TV

"Any direct US intervention in the conflict will result in an unprecedented threat to enemy ships," the official said

Trump says has no desire of drawing US into another prolonged war in Middle East

At the same time, the US president acknowledged that "some people" are unhappy with the assistance that America is providing to Israel in conducting an operation against Iran

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

Russia ready to broaden energy cooperation with Vietnam — Putin

"We have lots of good projects", the Russian President said

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

President Putin points to consolidation of Iranian society around country’s leadership

Well is almost always and everywhere this way, Russian President said

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"

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

Putin starts meeting with heads of world's leading news agencies at SPIEF sidelines

TASS First Deputy Director General Mikhail Gusman is moderating the conversation

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

Russia handed over 6,000 bodies of servicemen to Ukraine — Putin

These are sad and tragic figures, but, at the same time, it’s a humanitarian subject and a positive outcome of the negotiations in Istanbul, Russian President said

Ukraine turns Kherson into ghost town, population reduced sixfold — governor

"Normally, around 340,000 people lived there, but now, according to the most optimistic estimates, only about 40,000 civilians remain," Vladimir Saldo said

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

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

Putin calls Russia undisputed leader in heavy lift helicopters, says even UN uses them

According to him, military-technical cooperation between Russia and China is also developing rapidly, ensuring stability in global affairs, Russian president said

Ukrainian conflict must have long-term solution — Putin

The Russian leader recalled that he took part in the Minsk talks, where "they sought principles for a peaceful settlement and talked for 17 hours straight"

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

Telegram co-founder Durov says his brother working on ‘real AI’

He said thet his brother's future AI will differ from current large language models and will be able to "understand the world"

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

Putin appreciates Trump's willingness to help resolve Russia-Ukraine conflict — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov noted that such support is very significant

Israel vows security of Russian specialists at Bushehr NPP in Iran — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov said this in an interview on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum

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

Iran denies former president Ahmadinejad was killed

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

Iran won’t let conflict develop according to Israeli, US plans — ambassador to Tajikistan

Alireza Haghighian said that the fake Israeli regime made a huge mistake by launching an aggressive attack on Iran

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

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 says Iran was few weeks away from obtaining nuclear weapon

US leader said he believes Iran would use a nuclear weapon

Trump says not too late to negotiate with Iran

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

News agencies from US, UK, France participate in meeting with Putin

Among the participants are James Jordan, news director for Europe and Africa at US’ The Associated Press; Simon Robinson, executive editor at UK’s Reuters; and Karim Talbi, editor-in-chief at Agence France-Presse

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Alexander Pankin also expressed skepticism about UN reform efforts

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

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

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"

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

DPR, LPR had the right to secede from Ukraine regardless of Kiev’s opinion — Putin

There is a relevant decision by the UN International Court of Justice, which ruled that there has been a precedent set by Kosovo, Russian President noted

US keeps the door open for diplomacy with Iran — Trump

US leader said the Iranians "want to come to the White House"

State coup is primary source of the Kiev regime’s power — Putin

The Russian president noted that the country was trying to mediate between the Kyiv government and the territories that were once southeastern Ukraine, or Donbass

Russia asked Kiev government to implement Minsk Accords, they refused — Putin

And then the special military operation began, the Russian leader said

Europeans stopped contacts with Russia, they should resume them — Putin

A year and a half or two years ago, conversations with former German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and other European leaders were regular, Russian President said

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"

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

Russia receives no military assistance requests from Iran — Kremlin spokesman

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

Doomsday plane arrives at air base near Washington DC

With aerial refueling, Nightwatch can remain airborne for a week

Russian economy on brink of recession — economic development minister

Maxim Reshetnikov noted that figures point to slowdown

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

Iran will continuously attack any targets in Israel — Iranian top brass

According to the report, Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Abdulrahim Mousavi visited one of the bases of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Aerospace Force on the evening of June 18

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

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

Israeli planes make 600 midair refuelings during operation in Iran — IDF

"Aerial refueling is a crucial component of the Israeli Air Force's operations in Iran, enabling the continued maintenance of aerial superiority in the region," the IDF added

West seeks to offset defeat in Ukraine by fueling other conflicts, says analyst

The fate of Ukraine after the conflict is already a foregone conclusion, Pierre-Emmanuel Thomann believes

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

Russia is in contact with Israel, US on situation in Iran — Putin

Putin said at a meeting with heads of leading international news agencies, organized by TASS

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

Many Donbass mineral reserves classified under Stalin — Donbass head

Denis Pushilin said that many deposits are still classified

Russian troops liberate Novonikolayevka community in Donetsk region over past day

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

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

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

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

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

Data storage on Russian servers to be condition for foreign companies return

"The competition should be, a certain import share should be present," Minister of Economic Development Maxim Reshetnikov noted

Putin sees no rational explanation for Germany’s decision to stop buying Russian gas

Volkswagen, Porsche and other German brands are literally "dying," Russian President said

Russia did not start hostilities in Ukraine, it is trying to end them — Putin

It was the Ukrainian government which began a war against its own territory following a state coup in Kiev, Russian President said

Putin calls targeted attacks on war correspondents a crime

It is also a huge tragedy if a person is wounded, injured or passes away, Russian President said