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Middle East conflict

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Trump exaggerates extent of damage to Iran's nuclear sites — Khamenei

Ali Khamenei said that the US failed to cause any significant harm

TEHRAN, June 26. /TASS/. US President Donald Trump has deliberately exaggerated the extent of damage caused to Iranian nuclear facilities by the US military, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has said.

"They attacked our nuclear facilities, which in itself deserves criminal prosecution in international courts, but they were unable to do anything significant," he said in an address to the Iranian people. According to Khamenei, Trump deliberately exaggerated the extent of the damage, because "it became clear that he needed it."

Khamenei noted that the US "could not do anything, could not achieve its goal and is exaggerating [the extent of the damage] to hide the truth."

Earlier, US President Donald Trump claimed that Iranian nuclear facilities attacked by American bombers on June 22 were allegedly completely destroyed. Israel launched a military operation against Iran on June 13. Less than a day later, Tehran carried out a retaliatory attack. The US entered the conflict nine days after its escalation: on June 22, American forces attacked three Iranian nuclear facilities. On the evening of June 23, Tehran launched a missile attack on the largest American air base in the Middle East, Al Udeid air base in Qatar. Trump later said that Israel and Iran had agreed to a complete ceasefire. The ceasefire came into effect on June 24.

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United States Iran Donald Trump

China doesn’t supply lethal weapons to either side of Ukraine conflict — Wang Yi

"We do not supply lethal weapons to the sides of the conflict," Chinese Foreign Minister said

Press review: Putin, Macron break long silence and Washington softens on Syria

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, July 2nd

West needs Ukrainian conflict to test new weapons — media

According to the report, Western-made military equipment would become redundant and obsolete if not tested in the Ukrainian conflict

Three Ukrainian UAVs downed over Belgorod, Bryansk, Tula Regions — Defense Ministry

Bryansk Region Governor Alexander Bogomaz said that the destruction of the Ukrainian UAV over the region caused no casualties or damage

Senior Russian Navy commander Gudkov killed in Kursk Region — official

Primorye Region Governor Oleg Kozhemyako added that Gudkov’s faithful friend Nariman Shikhaliyev, too, was killed

Trump to discuss suspending arms supplies to Ukraine with Zelensky — media

The US president will hold a phone call with Vladimir Zelensky on Friday

Kiev loses over 1,235 troops in all frontline areas in past day — Russia’s top brass

Russia’s Battlegroup Center inflicted more than 450 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed two enemy armored combat vehicles in its area of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

Su-34 from Russia’s Battlegroup South delivers strike on Ukrainian troop formations

Following the confirmation of the target elimination by reconnaissance forces, the crew safely returned to its home base

Macron seeks to raise his popularity by contacting Russian president — expert

Earlier, a European Parliament member representing France, Thierry Mariani, said that Macron has the support of mere 20% of the country’s population

Aeroflot cancels flights to Iran due to extended restrictions

"Flights between Moscow and Tehran are canceled until lifting of restrictions," the airline said

IN BRIEF: What we know about foiled terrorist attack in St. Petersburg

FSB officers apprehended the young woman the moment she was planting an improvised explosive device under a car

Russia’s Battlegroup East wipes out over 200 Ukrainian troops, 13 command centers

The head of the group's press center, Alexander Gordeyev, also reported that the enemy lost 4 combat armored vehicles, 10 cars and 2 electronic warfare stations

Making big families chic, ushering in a "new age" in tech: what Putin said at forum

Russia has to take a giant leap forward in the tech sphere, ushering the country into a "new era" of technological development, the president noted

BMW to resume premium car deliveries to Russia

Deliveries of vehicles with installed ERA-GLONASS system are expected in 2019

Elysee Palace initiates Macron-Putin call — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov said that the Russian president had "repeatedly stated his willingness to engage in dialogue"

Assad allegedly hands list of military targets over to Israel before leaving Syria — media

According to the Turkish newspaper, the former Syrian president did it to ensure his own safety

Macron’s call to Putin may mean desire for dialogue in Europe — MP

According to Thierry Mariani, the Europeans, including the French, "do not want the Americans to discuss the world alone

IN BRIEF: What is known about overnight drone attack on Russian regions

In the Lipetsk Region, a woman was killed when drone debris fell on a residential building, and two more people sustained wounds, regional Governor Igor Artamonov said

Moscow formally recognizes Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan — Russian MFA

Russian President Vladimir Putin decided to recognize the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan on recommendation from Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, said the Russian ambassador in the Asian country, Dmitry Zhirnov

Russian ambassador says Denmark may move to use Russian assets for EU needs

According to Vladimir Barbin, the Danish presidency is adamant that the expansion of the EU's geopolitical influence will contribute to strengthening stability in the world

Kiev’s refusal to take fallen soldiers’ bodies shows denial of losses — senator

According to Russian Senator Andrey Klimov, the discrepancy, combined with recent statements made by US President Donald Trump regarding Ukraine, is generating anxiety and panic within Kiev’s leadership

Orban sees Ukraine trying to get even with Hungary over blocked EU bid

As the prime minister stressed, "Kiev must accept that they are not the ones to tell the Hungarian people what to think"

China doesn’t supply lethal weapons to either side of Ukraine conflict — Wang Yi

"We do not supply lethal weapons to the sides of the conflict," Chinese Foreign Minister said

European parliament to vote on motion of censure for von der Leyen — DPA

Gheorghe Piperea accuses Ursula von der Leyen and the European Commission of lack of transparency and improper management during the pandemic

Moldovan authorities deal with Gagauzia head to isolate Transnistria — politician

The Moldovan authorities are now trying to destroy Gagauzia by opening criminal cases against Chairman of Gagauzia's People's Assembly (parliament) Dmitry Konstantinov and other political activists of Moldova's autonomous region, Andrey Safonov believes

Dialogue between Putin, Trump continues, important for world — Dmitriev

The Russian president said earlier that he plans to talk to Trump over the phone on Thursday

Germany wants to strike deal with US by financing Patriots for Kiev — media

The US has been reviewing this request for several weeks

Detained Russians in Azerbaijan, fake news, UN remarks: Foreign Ministry briefing

Maria Zakharova cautioned Russian citizens planning trips to Azerbaijan to take the current situation into account

Foreign states require Kiev to bury mercenaries in Ukraine — security forces

Earlier, sources in the law enforcement agencies told TASS that the British media confirmed information about the liquidation of British mercenary Benjamin Leo Burgess with the call sign Budgie near Andreyevka

IN BRIEF: What is known about death of Lugansk ex-mayor from terrorist attack

Manolis Pilavov was blown up by a female suicide bomber, according to preliminary information

Three perpetrators of Crocus City Hall terrorist attack were under influence of drugs

According to the results of forensic examinations, the narcotic drug mephedrone was found in the blood of Saidokram Rachabalizoda, Dalerdzhon Mirzoyev and Muhammadsobir Faizov"

Russian forces advance deeper into Sumy Region in past week, expert says

Earlier, Andrey Marochko told TASS that the Russian army had penetrated 1.5 km deep into enemy defenses in some areas of the region

Witkoff plans to meet with Araghchi to resume talks on Iran’s nuclear program — report

A final date hasn't been set yet, the sources said

Russian stock market closed in the green on Thursday — market data

The yuan added 2.3 kopecks to 10.97 rubles

Russia may respond asymmetrically to UK's Foreign Influence Registration Scheme — diplomat

Russian Ambassador to the United Kingdom Andrey Kelin said that the embassy "sent six pages of questions to the Foreign Office" in order to "clarify the vague and impenetrable nature of the parameters of this scheme"

Ukrainian soldiers that plotted attacks in Russia were also involved in some drone strikes

According to investigators, the sabotage group’s attacks were aimed, among other things, at the military airfield Shaikovka, a base of long-range bombers

NATO eases rhetoric on Russia in relation to Ukraine crisis in summit statement — media

Acording to the report, after last year’s summit, the alliance included strong language condemning "Russia’s full-scale invasion" and asserted that "Ukraine’s future was in NATO"

EU's militaristic trajectory poses threat to Russia — Foreign Ministry

Alexander Grushko noted that the European Union is morphing from a peaceful project into "something resembling a very aggressive military bloc"

Russia making breakthrough in unmanned systems development — Putin

The Russian president highlighted good progress in robotics in general

Ukraine to stoke flames in Russia-Azerbaijan situation — Kremlin

On July 1, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev held a telephone conversation with Vladimir Zelensky

Orban believes it is not too late for Zelensky to choose for peace in Ukraine

"I warned him that time was not on his side," Hungarian Prime Minister noted

Putin, Trump discuss exchange of films promoting traditional values — Kremlin aide

Yury Ushakov said that the US president reacted immediately, saying that he was impressed by this idea

Battlegroup West destroys 11 UAVs, 11 mortar crews of Ukrainian armed forces in one day

Battlegroup Spokesman Ivan Bigma added that the group's fighters continue to carry out combat missions in the special military operation zone

UN special rapporteur calls for full arms embargo against Israel

"Corporate entities must urgently cease all business activities and terminate relationship directly linked, contributing to, and causing human rights violations and international crimes against the Palestinian people," Francesca Albanese said

Putin, Trump hold 2025's sixth phone talk

The presidents discussed the Ukrainian settlement, the situation in the Middle East, US-Russia economic projects, and even the exchange of films promoting traditional values

Russia delivers 1st batch of 1,212 bodies of Ukrainian soldiers to exchange point

The trains with the bodies of Ukrainian servicemen will start moving towards the border in an hour, general added

Prosecutors change charges against Gutsul at last moment — lawyer

Sergey Moraru said that Evghenia Gutsul was not even given the opportunity to speak out in her defense

Russia plans to help rearm Indonesian army

"Rosoboronexport will organize a display of the latest Russian arms that satisfy to the maximum the needs of the rearmament program of the Indonesian armed forces in 2025-2029," arms trader's CEO Alexander Mikheyev said

NATO doesn’t plan to make its summit statement confrontational toward Russia — minister

"I think the most important thing now is that tensions between NATO and Russia do not escalate further and that we prioritize solving problems through diplomatic negotiations," Peter Szijjarto said

Russian air defenses down Neptune missile, 1,582 Ukrainian drones in past week

Russian troops also liberated five settlements in the Donetsk People's Republic and one in the Sumy Region over the past seven days, the Defense Ministry added

Liberation of Petrovskogo in Donbass region paves way for offensive toward Dnepropetrovsk

Earlier, the Russian Defense Ministry reported the liberation of Petrovskogo in the DPR

Trump lays into some US news media over reports on Iran strikes

"Fake news CNN, together with the failing New York Times, have teamed up in an attempt to demean one of the most successful military strikes in history," US President said

Saudi foreign minister arrives in Moscow on official visit

According to the statement, Prince Faisal plans to discuss with the Russian leadership the prospects for the development of bilateral relations, as well as regional and international affairs

State program should focus on cutting-edge weapons — Putin

Sufficient volumes and the nomenclature of weapons and machinery to support current needs and looking-forward requirements must be included in the state program, the Russian leader stressed

US-led coalition’s aircraft violate Syrian airspace eight times in past day

Vadim Kulit, deputy chief of the Russian Center for Reconciliation of the Opposing Parties in Syria, said that A pair of the coalition’s F-16 fighter jets and a pair of A-10 Thunderbolt attack bombers violated Syria’s airspace in the al-Tanf area, across which international air routes run, four times during the day

Russia says Ukraine lost up to 220 soldiers in battlegroup East’s area over past day

According to Gordeyev, the group's units continued to advance deep into the enemy's defenses and, acting decisively, liberated the village of Komar, inflicted fire damage on the manpower and equipment of three mechanized brigades, a mountain assault brigade and a territorial defense brigade in the areas of Malinovka, Poddubnoye, Gulyaipolye and Shevchenko

First bananas grown in Russia could debut by end of 2025 — association

A relevant government decree is already in place, approving the list of agricultural products for cultivation and processing by agricultural producers, Oksana Lut noted

Damage to Russian tour operators from Middle East conflict totals $3.8 mln — ATOR

Executive Director of the Association of Tour Operators of Russia Maya Lomidze reported that from June 13 to 22, 70 to 80 flights of both domestic and foreign airlines were cancelled or postponed

Bars-27 detachment fighters hit Ukrainian army’s UAV control point, mortar in DPR

The detachment fighters also attacked the Ukrainian army’s camouflaged mortar position with drones as it was detected by the air when the crew was camouflaging the position

Britain’s calls for peace in Ukraine empty amid continued arms supplies — Russian envoy

In Andrey Kelin’s opinion, "London ignores the writing on the wall that Ukraine is headed for defeat on the battlefield and still tries to bolster it in every way, as if preparing it for negotiations where both sides will participate on equal footing"

Recognition of Emirate of Afghanistan speaks to Moscow’s intent to build ties — ambassador

Earlier on Thursday, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Moscow has formally recognized the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan

Hero of Soviet Union, Afghan veteran confident special op to end in victory for Russia

Boris Gromov stressed that Russian troops are acting "courageously and with confidence"

Georgia not to allow fifth attempt at revolution by West — PM

Irakli Kobakhidze said the Georgian government is confidently following the "no alternative path," including through the adoption of laws that have been criticized in the West

Russian troops liberate two communities in Ukraine operation over past day — top brass

The Ukrainian army lost more than 1,305 troops in battles with Russian forces in all the frontline areas over the past 24 hours

Navy development strategy sets tasks on implementing new technologies — Kremlin aide

According to Nikolay Patrushev, time is needed to modernize shipbuilding capacities, the equipment of naval bases and logistic support centers, including beyond Russia’s borders, "for the Russian Navy to successfully carry out its global mission"

Moldova’s ex-president criticizes government for political vendetta against Gagauz leader

Igor Dodon stressed that Moldovan President Maia Sandu's governance "aims not to strengthen democracy but to suppress political opponents"

US weapons supplies ebbing amid shortfall of stocks, zest to put pressure on Kiev — expert

Reducing the delivery of weapons from the United States is part of a pressure campaign by the Trump administration to force Ukraine into making certain political concessions, Nikolay Novik said

Situation in Ukraine reaches important juncture as US halts arms supplies — newspaper

Ukraine is still suffering from an acute shortage of weapons and manpower and may subsequently face a defeat, the paper wrote

Belarus not party to Ukraine conflict, Lukashenko says

The Belarusian leader stressed that the country is open to Ukrainians

BRICS countries say attacks on Iran violated UN Charter — statement

The group also called for making the Middle East free of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction

Ukrainian soldiers that plotted attacks in Russia plead guilty to some charges, repent

Lieutenant Colonel Andrey Antonenko, who led the group, pleaded not guilty

Putin, Trump's conversations can be coordinated during day - Kremlin aide

Yury Ushakov considered it inappropriate to ask which of the presidents ended today's conversation first

Israeli TV claims Israel is secretly in contact with Russia regarding Iran, Syria

As Kan notes, the dialogue began "about a week" after the end of the campaign and in light of Moscow's signals about its readiness to "act as a mediator" between Iran and Israel

Robotics use increasing worldwide, including at sea — presidential aide

Nikolay Patrushev noted that it is essential to build marine robotic complexes to support Russian naval operations

Syria to change coat of arms

Until today, Syria’s coat of arms featured an hawk with a shield with two stars on its chest

China neither confirms nor refutes reports about Xi’s potential absence from BRICS summit

"As regards the issue of who among the Chinese leadership will take part in the BRICS summit, China will make an announcement in due time," Guo Jiakun, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson, said

Blasts obliterate two production facilities near Zhitomir — official

The local power facility said that the blasts disconnected 50 transformer substations and damaged three power lines

US halts all arms supplies to Ukraine — The Economist

The Pentagon said that the pause was intended to preserve the US’ "military readiness and defense priorities"

Settlement in Ukraine, situation in Middle East: Putin-Trump sixth conversation

The Russian leader noted Russia's readiness to continue the negotiation process with Ukraine

Russia, Mongolia discuss air service issues

The Russian Transport Ministry said the parties shared views on issues of implementation of the program for creation of an economic corridor between Mongolia, Russia and China, modernization and development of the Ulaanbaatar Railway

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

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

Russian forces now control highway near Yunakovka — military expert

On May 31, Andrey Marochko told TASS that Russian servicemen had entered Yunakovka multiple times to conduct reconnaissance

Russia to repair aircraft damaged after Ukraine’s June 1 attack — senior diplomat

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov refuted the Kiev regime’s statements about the attack’s aftermath

	
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