Oman and Iran held talks on ensuring safe shipping through the Hormuz Strait, respecting both nations' sovereign rights, with progress made and ongoing technical/political consultations.
South Korea's foreign ministry plans to change all diplomats' email addresses following a data breach at the Korea National Diplomatic Academy (KNDA) that exposed personal information for 10 months. The breach, undetected until February, raises concerns about phishing and cybercrimes.
Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stated that escalating tensions in the Persian Gulf, marked by exchanges of strikes, pose a risk of shipping disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea, complicating regional mediation efforts.
Russia's trade with Asia-Pacific countries, totaling about $500 billion and comprising over 74% of its total foreign trade, has largely transitioned to settlements in rubles and 'friendly currencies,' according to Ambassador Marat Berdyev.
Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stated that Western accusations of unwillingness to negotiate are a tactic to blame others and prepare for war, citing US Secretary of State Marco Rubio's comments on Tehran talks and the Minsk Agreements.
Japan is developing a project to map alternative shipping routes around Malaysian states, providing data on depths and hazards, to avoid the Strait of Malacca due to rising geopolitical tensions. This initiative aims to secure Japan's crucial trade, especially energy imports from Gulf states, following US attacks on Iran.
Marat Berdyev, Russian Foreign Ministry Ambassador-at-Large, stated that Russia is not isolated on the world stage and foresees no such isolation. He highlighted the "enormous" demand for meetings with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov at G20 and APEC events.
South Korea's Foreign Ministry reported an unidentified hacker compromised an online system containing 10,000 diplomat records. While sensitive data like IDs were reportedly unaffected, a significant leak is suspected. The system is offline, and an investigation is underway.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko confirmed that the ambassadors of Britain, Germany, and France have not requested a new meeting with the Russian Foreign Ministry. This follows a June 11 meeting where Russia criticized their countries' policies regarding the conflict in Ukraine.
Ukraine launched over 400 drones at Moscow, hitting industrial sites and an oil depot, while Russia continued ballistic missile attacks on Ukrainian cities, causing multiple casualties. Cross-border strikes also led to deaths in Belgorod and on a cargo vessel near Odesa, as Ukraine's military commander Syrskyi faces potential dismissal.
Papua New Guinea has closed Taiwan's economic office, a move swiftly welcomed by China as adherence to the one-China principle. Taiwan criticized the decision, stating it was not consulted and is reviewing bilateral economic ties, including LNG imports, while negotiating to keep its office open.
Iran's IRGC vowed an "unforgettable lesson" to the US, viewing Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei's message as a binding command, as US and Iranian forces continued exchanging strikes for nine days, causing casualties. Simultaneously, Tehran indicated openness to diplomacy if national interests are respected.
Chisinau Mayor Ion Ceban accused the Moldovan government of secretly ceding full control over Dniester River water resources in northern Moldova to Ukraine via a classified agreement. This comes amidst warnings from the Environment Minister about potential water shortages in Chisinau, which Ceban disputes, calling it panic-sowing.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced that decisions from the 2024 summit between Russia and North Korea in Pyongyang are being steadily implemented, with foreign policy agencies contributing through strategic dialogue.
Beijing confirmed ongoing contact with the United States regarding exchanges between their leaders later this year, hours after America's top diplomat downplayed the impact of Chinese election meddling allegations on high-level engagement.
North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui stated that regular contacts between DPRK and Russian foreign ministries have strengthened political trust and fostered comprehensive business cooperation, including a common diplomatic stance on global issues, during a meeting with Sergey Lavrov in Moscow.
Russia's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova called on the IAEA to provide an unbiased assessment of the alleged US attack on Iran's Darkhovin Nuclear Power Plant, warning against using the incident to escalate tensions in the Middle East.
Maria Zakharova, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman, stated that the West aims to erase Russian culture and rewrite history to prevent Russia from drawing strength from its past. She believes actions like demolishing monuments and 'canceling' culture are part of this effort.
Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman stated that strikes on US military bases in the Persian Gulf are a legitimate act of self-defense, responding to UN concerns about escalation. He accused the US and Israel of aggression and violating international law, while Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, and UAE reported repelling Iranian aerial attacks.
Russia's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova has strongly criticized the West's handling of the appointment of a new High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina, calling it a 'calamitous practice' that bypasses the UN Security Council and exacerbates the country's crisis.
Russia's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova stated that Western attempts to appoint Louis Crischock as interim high representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina are without legal basis. She cited the Dayton Agreement, which does not recognize an acting high representative, and noted that only a UN Security Council-approved candidate can hold such powers.
Russia has never terminated its membership in the Steering Committee of the Peace Implementation Council, stated Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova. She cited the 'chairmanship' of Christian Schmidt, supported by Western countries, as the reason for Russia's temporary participation freeze.
South Korea's foreign ministry stated its revised network act is non-discriminatory towards foreign firms and respects free speech, following US concerns over potential "disproportionate" burdens and excessive content regulation. Consultations with the US will continue.
South Korea's foreign ministry stated Friday the revised network act, requiring platforms to block false information, is not discriminatory against foreign companies and vowed to continue consultations with the U.S. to address concerns.
