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Middle East conflict

Trump says may lift anti-Iranian sanctions if Tehran is peaceful

NBC News reported on Saturday that Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff was expected to hold talks with the Iranian authorities within days with an eye on reaching an agreement on the Iranian nuclear program

NEW YORK, June 29. /TASS/. US President Donald Trump has promised to lift the anti-Iranian sanctions if Tehran pursues a peaceful policy.

"If they can be peaceful, and if they can show us they're not going to do any more harm, I would take the sanctions off," he said in an interview with Fox News.

NBC News reported on Saturday that Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff was expected to hold talks with the Iranian authorities within days with an eye on reaching an agreement on the Iranian nuclear program. According to the television channel, the deal will provide for Iran ceasing enrichment activities in exchange for US mitigating sanctions.

In the early morning hours of June 13, Israel launched a military operation against Iran. Less than 24 hours later, Iran retaliated. Nine days later, on the morning of June 22, US jets attacked three Iranian nuclear facilities, entering the conflict. The following evening, Tehran launched a missile strike on Al Udeid, the largest US military airbase in the region, located in Qatar. According to the US authorities, there were no casualties or significant damage.

On June 24, Trump announced that Israel and Iran had agreed to a complete ceasefire, which came into effects on June 24.

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Middle East conflict

Iranian strikes damage over 31,000 buildings in Israel — media

According to the report, this demonstrates that Iranian missiles have "inflicted enormous and irreparable damage" on Israel during the conflict

US partly continues arms supplies to Ukraine — Kremlin aide

"Some of them continue; the others are not, as far as I know," Yury Ushakov said

MP calls Danish general's fears of Russia's invasion of Greenland "stupidity of year"

US President Donald Trump doesn't bother him, he says, "but because of the ‘Russians in Greenland,’ he has already lost his peace of mind," Alexey Pushkov said

Work to remove ‘irritants’ in Russia-US relations to continue — Kremlin aide

"The agreement to closely work on this track - the agreement remains, it was achieved during first telephone communications between two our leaders," Yury Ushakov said

Russia entering Ukraine’s defense in Kupyansk in groups, fighting has started in town

The Russian army is thus conducting preparatory activities for a full-scale entry into the city, military expert Andrey Marochko said

MH17 was apparently shot down by military aircraft, Dutch author says

"You can’t say for sure, but I think it must be a jet,” he said

Ukrainian brigade stationed in Sumy reinforced with UK-trained troops

"Some of the officers were redeployed from military medics to become assault platoon commanders," Russian security agencies told TASS

West will not manage to defeat Russia, using Kiev as ram — Lavrov

"The West has never succeeded in that - they will not work it out this time also," the top Russian diplomat said

At least two people killed in Idaho shooting — sheriff

"We are prepared to neutralize the suspect who is currently actively shooting," Robert Norris said

Israeli attacks kill at least 72 Palestinians in Gaza Strip over day — TV

According to Al Jazeera, 47 Palestinians in Gaza City were killed in Israeli attacks over the past day

British transport union RMT demands end to military aid to Ukraine

The Daily Telegraph reported that the initiative calls on Labour government ministers to commit to working toward a diplomatic, negotiated, long-term peaceful settlement

Brent oil price down below $66 per barrel on ICE first time since June 6

It is the first time since June 6, 2025, according to trading data

Serbian protesters announce mass blockade of streets 'until their demands are met'

Serbian Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Ivica Dacic said that the police would closely monitor the situation in Belgrade

Trump doesn’t rule out Iran having secret nuclear site

At the same time, he said that he doesn’t think that Iran could hide enriched uranium from its nuclear sites that were attacked by the US

China develops new type of weapons, presumably to disable power grids

No details about the name or type of these weapons were provided

Israel attacks refugee camp in Gaza Strip, killing 18 people — TV

A total of 68 people have been killed in the Palestinian enclave since the morning of June 29 due to Israeli airstrikes and shelling

Trump says may lift anti-Iranian sanctions if Tehran is peaceful

NBC News reported on Saturday that Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff was expected to hold talks with the Iranian authorities within days with an eye on reaching an agreement on the Iranian nuclear program

Ukraine’s EU accession does not meet Moscow’s interests — Russian MFA

EU also is moving towards active militarization, Director of the European Problems Department at the Russian Foreign Ministry Vladislav Maslennikov said

Russian defense expenditures stand at $172 bln — Putin

According to the head of state, the expenses are huge and pose a problem for the country's budget but Russia is decently dealing now with that

Russian troops liberate eight communities in Ukraine operation over week — top brass

Russia strikes Ukrainian military airfield by Kinzhal hypersonic missile, Russia’s Defense Ministry reported

Russia pushes Ukrainian army back from border by almost 14 km in some areas of Sumy front

The Russian forces have had the best results near Kondratovka and Yunakovka, military expert Andrey Marochko added

Kyrgyzstan, Russia aim at bringing mutual trade turnover to $5 bln

The trade turnover between Russia and Kyrgyzstan totaled $3.5 bln last year

Press review: NATO tiptoes around Trump and Serbia digs into ammunition scandal

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, June 27th

Aurus branded apparel to be sold in Russia — ministry

"The women’s and men’s fashion lines has been developed to date, which will go on sale in accordance with the brand promotion strategy," the press service of the ministry of Industry and Trade said

Suspected Idaho shooter found dead — sheriff's office

Local residents were allowed to leave their shelters

Kiev withdraws from Mine Ban Treaty — security officials

Earlier, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland announced their withdrawal from the Ottawa Treaty

Russia, Serbia negotiated gas contract — Srbijagas

The agreement would not be signed by September 20, the reason of the delay is that Serbia does not know whether Azerbaijan has sufficient gas for exports and the approximate deadline for extension of sanctions, Dusan Bajatovic said

Lavrov draws parallel between German and modern Ukrainian Nazis

"The Nazis burned Jews just because they were Jews and the Ukrainian Nazis burned Russian people in Odessa on May 2, 2014 only because they were Russians," the minister said

Kim Jong Un meets with Russian Culture Minister Lyubimova — news agency

During the meeting, Kim Jong Un emphasized the importance of strengthening cultural exchange, friendship, comradeship, and mutual understanding between Russia and North Korea, the news report said

Russia does not subdue to pressure, force — Kremlin

"It is only possible to push Russia to the bargaining table by logic and arguments," Dmitry Peskov noted

Trump not to save Zelensky — Russian major general

Major General Apti Alaudinov said that for Trump it doesn't matter what he said yesterday, he can take his promise back

Israeli minister to discuss preparations for Netanyahu's visit to US in Washington — TV

According to ABC News, Ron Dermer plans to discuss military operations in the Gaza Strip, the conflict with Iran, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's planned visit to the White House in July

Kiev losing control on battlefield, Russian lawmaker says

Mikhail Sheremet expressed confidence that Vladimir Zelensky’s regime is now on the verge of collaps

Macron tells Pezeshkian that IAEA mission must resume work in Iran

French President also called on Iran to "return to the negotiating table to address ballistic and nuclear issues" and demonstrate "respect for the ceasefire, to help restore peace in the region"

Trump rates high new statements by Putin concerning Russian-American relations

Putin said earlier that the relations between Russia and the US were beginning to stabilize thanks to Trump

Nearly 600 Palestinians killed since late May in Gaza near aid distribution points — media

Since May 27, at least 583 Palestinians have been killed and more than 4,000 wounded while waiting for food at distribution points of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation

Russian coal reserves enough for 1,000 years — Deputy Energy Minister

"If we continue dealing with exploration, we will definitely have reserves enough for 1,000 years ahead," Dmitry Islamov added

Conversation held with CIA Director, Russian intelligence chief said

"We reserved for each other an opportunity to make calls and discuss questions of interest at any moment," Sergey Naryshkin noted

Kiev sends elite units to fight in Yunakovka in Sumy region, suffering heavy casualties

Military expert Andrey Marochko told TASS earlier that the Russian army had seriously advanced in Yunakovka this week

Russia is not interfering in developments in Armenia — Kremlin

"We do not want to interfere in these internal affairs in any way," Dmitry Peskov stressed

Kiev, NATO’s attempt to retake Russian regions to trigger nuclear war — delegation head

According to the Russian presidential aide, Moscow does not want "to create an excuse - a gigantic Karabakh, not recognized by anyone"

Turkish cabinet to discuss prospects for hosting new Russia-Ukraine talks — TV

Apart from that, the cabinet will discuss the situation around wildfires in the country, as well as anti-terrorist measures and economic issues

Russian army has seriously advanced in Yunakovka, controls around 50% of settlement

The Russian forces fully control the northern part of the settlement, the military expert added

Hundreds of Serbian president’s supporters remain outside parliament despite protests

Police units have cordoned off the area adjacent to the parliament

Turkish intel chief discusses situation in Gaza with Hamas delegation — media

According to the newspaper, the sides exchanged views on Turkey’s and international efforts to prevent a humanitarian disaster in the enclave and ensure immediate relief deliveries there

Operation against Iran opens up many opportunities for Israel — Netanyahu

According to the US authorities, there were no casualties or significant damage

Trump calls for settlement in Gaza

"Get the hostages back!" US leader added

Russian economy capable to maintain steady growth — expert

Main parameters of the macroeconomic outlook and the draft budget for 2026 are to be prepared by September, head of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs Alexander Shokhin said

Putin, Trump can meet any time, no plans so far — Kremlin aide

"The issue is on the agenda but has not yet moved thus far to the practical sphere," Yury Ushakov said

US cancels sanctions preventing Paks-2 project in Hungary — Szijjarto

The administration of ex-US President Joe Biden introduced sanctions against Russia’s Gazprombank, through which construction of the nuclear plant was financed

Nazi descendants promoted to leading posts in West purposefully — Russian Foreign Ministry

"The trend is obviously neo-Nazi," Maria Zakharova noted

Japanese police investigating death of Russian woman — consulate general

The consulate general was in contact with law enforcement agencies on the issue

Slovak president calls for dialogue with Russia

Peter Pellegrini voiced support for Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico who insists that the European Commission provide guarantees of energy security for Slovakia if the European Union imposes a ban on energy supplies from Russia from January 1, 2018

Lavrov arrives in Kyrgyzstan on official visit

Lavrov is scheduled to meet with Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov and hold talks with Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Jeenbek Kulubayev

Witkoff to hold talks with Iran to discuss nuclear deal in coming days — NBC

According to the report, the US envoy will try to halt uranium enrichment by Iran in exchange for sanctions relief

US Senator says Trump supports bill on new anti-Russian sanctions

The bill, initiated by US Senators Lindsey Graham and Richard Blumenthal, provides for secondary sanctions on Russia’s trading partners

Kiev controls protests over missing persons — law enforcers

The source said that attempts by supporters of former Ukrainian President Pyotr Poroshenko to lead this movement were harshly suppressed by the presidential office

Torrential rains in Pakistan claim at least 45 lives — TV

According to the television channel, the biggest number of deaths - 21 - was reported from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province

Trump says drops work on sanction relief after Iranian supreme leader’s statements

According to the US leader, he changed his plans after Ayatollah Ali Khamenei proclaimed Iran’s victory over Israel and the United States

Man deliberately starts fire in Idaho to shoot at firefighters — TV

According to NBC News, the firefighters were ambushed

Negotiating progress to depend on Kiev’s position — Kremlin spokesman

Dmitry Peskov also noted that Moscow hopes the date for the next round of talks with Ukraine will soon be agreed upon

US warned Iran of its plans to launch strikes two hours in advance — former adviser

Previously, US President Donald Trump stated that the Iranian authorities did not know until the last moment that the US was going to strike Iran's nuclear facilities

Top Kazakh, Russian diplomats discuss cooperation within integration associations

Lavrov is on an official visit to Kyrgyzstan on June 29-30

Top Belarusian diplomat warns about catastrophic impact of Middle East conflict on Europe

The head of the department, Maxim Ryzhenkov, noted that European countries have fewer resources

Belgrade protestors called for civil war in Serbia — parliament speaker

The rally in central Belgrade gathered around 36,000 participants, according to Serbia’s interior ministry

French politician calls for stopping financing, arming Ukraine

French President Emmanuel Macron said earlier that he did not rule out potential sending Western troops to Ukraine

Explosion occurs at oil refinery in Iran’s Tebriz — agency

According to Tasnim, the blast occurred due to an accident

Russian President Putin says ready for new contacts with US leader Trump

The Russian president said he knows that Donald Trump also spoke about the possibility of meetings

Iranian strikes damage over 31,000 buildings in Israel — media

According to the report, this demonstrates that Iranian missiles have "inflicted enormous and irreparable damage" on Israel during the conflict

Iran has no intention of stopping uranium enrichment — envoy to UN

Amir Saeid Iravani stressed that Tehran fully complies with the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons

Orban believes World War III would break out the day after Ukraine joined NATO

Earlier, Orban said that there had been a change of heart in NATO and the EU about Ukraine's admission to these organizations, and even Poland had changed its stance

IN BRIEF: What is known about conflict between government, clergy in Armenia

TASS has compiled the key facts about the situation

Advisor to UAE president accuses Iran of damaging trust of Gulf neighbors

Overnight into June 13, Israel started a military operation against Iran

Testimony of accused of Crocus terrorist act confirm Kiev was its customer

Weapons used in the terrorist act were delivered to Russia from the territory of Ukraine, as stated in testimony

Russian assets freeze very harmful for Western financial system

Maxim Oreshkin said that this case on the whole is the big damage to the Western financial system and Western countries

Armenian top diplomat not to take part in meeting with his CSTO counterparts in Kyrgyzstan

The ministers are convening today in the Kyrgyz city of Cholpon-Ata

Russia 'was told where to go in no uncertain terms' with its view of NATO growth — Putin

According to the Russian leader, Moscow emphasized that the security of one nation or a group of nations cannot come at the expense of another's security

Azerbaijan parliament’s delegation cancels visit to Moscow amid situation in Yekaterinburg

The move was motivated by "acts of violence against Azerbaijanis" committed by law enforcement officers in Yekaterinburg who thwarted the activities of an ethnic group

IAEA experts saw no signs of creating nuclear weapons by Iran — head

In Rafael Grossi words, the IAEA, "has had a very honest assessment of the situation" around Iran’s nuclear program

Trump says potential conflict with North Korea wouldn’t involve US

Trump said he had a good relationship with Kim Jong Un

Kiev senselessly destroying troops, equipment in attempt to contain Russian army — expert

According to Andrey Marochko, Kiev's losses, including foreign mercenaries, amounted to nearly 4,000 troops in the Lugansk People’s Republic over the past week

Russia interested in labor migrants observing rules of stay — Lavrov

"We attribute significant attention to adherence to rules of stay by foreign nationals present in our country and timely settlement of the legal standing by them," the minister added

Russian, North Korean culture ministers sign two-year cooperation plan

The talks took place on June 29 in Pyongyang

Lavrov meets with Kazakh counterpart while visiting Kyrgyzstan

Russian foreign minister is on an official visit to Kyrgyzstan on June 29-30

Yak-18T plane crashes outside Moscow

According to the agency’s preliminary data, there were four people aboard the plane

New Ukrainian unit transferred to Sumy direction from Kharkov area

According to the report, the fighters of Russia’s battlegroup North grind down the enemy manpower and continue their successful offensive on this section of the front

Ukraine lost over 1,235 troops over day — Russian Defense Ministry

Russian units of the Battlegroup Center liberated Novoukrainka settlement of the Donetsk People’s Republic, the ministry added

Ukrainian economy may collapse even with West’s support — newspaper

According to the report, the Ukrainian economy has not yet collapsed only because of huge support from the West

German top diplomat makes unannounced visit to Kiev

Johann Wadephul emphasized that Germany would continue to work on new anti-Russian sanctions together with its EU and G7 partners

Serbia needs to decide whether it's with Russia or West amid arms scandal — senator

On June 24, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic announced that his country had ceased all exports of ammunition

Russian diplomat calls on Kiev to demonstrate its commitment to settlement efforts

Vasily Nebenzya said that Ukraine should stop the mobilization campaign and begin demobilization

Tatyana Kim only Russian woman named on Forbes 50 richest self-made women on Earth

Ranked 18th with a wealth of $4.6 billion, Kim, 49, is the second-youngest woman on the list

Macron, Merz losing common sense — Lavrov

These political figures "attempt to overtly return to the times when France and Germany wanted to conquer the whole Europe, the Russian Empire and the Soviet Union in the first instance," the minister added

Three Ukrainian drones downed over Bryansk, Belgorod Regions

From 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Moscow time, Russian air defense forces destroyed three Ukrainian fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles: two over the Bryansk Region, and one over the Belgorod Region

Kiev wants to purchase US weapons with European money — senator

Bloomberg reported, that Europe wants to buy weapons from the US for further shipment to Ukraine if the administration of US President Donald Trump refuses to provide military aid directly to Kiev

Russia, US maintain working communications — Kremlin aide

Ushakov said that working communications with the Americans are going on and on

Top military brass warns US missile defense ships in Black and Baltic seas can hit Russia

It is unclear what missiles the Mk-41 launchers carry at a given moment, the deputy chief of the Russian General Staff's Main Operations Directorate, Lieutenant-General Viktor Poznikhir, said

US will no longer ensure Europe’s defense — European politician

He also called for defining "flag-ship-projects like a joint missile defense system, cyber brigade or a sky surveillance system"

China to follow its own laws in situation around TikTok — embassy in US

The day before, Trump said in an interview with Fox News that the US had a buyer for TikTok

Is Gaddafi's gloom prophecy in regard to Europe bound to be fulfilled?

As Europe’s migrant crisis grows far and wide, many Russian media are recalling the late Libyan leader Muamar Gaddafi’s gloom prophecy made several months before his violent death

Russian Armed Forces hit strike drone production shops — Defense Ministry

Russian air defense shot down a Neptune missile and 102 fixed-wing type unmanned aerial vehicles of the Ukrainian army, the ministry added

	
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