Geopolitical Tensions Rise Amidst Iran Deal Speculation and Ukraine Conflict

Russia’s Geran kamikaze drones wipe out Ukrainian UAV depot in DPR

The Geran-2 heavy long-range kamikaze drone is among the most successfully used unmanned aerial vehicles in the special military operation in Ukraine

EU aid to Ukraine frozen — Borrell

The ex-chief of EU diplomacy said the situation is similar with the approval of new sanctions against Russia

Senior Iranian diplomat confirms deal with US reached — Tasnim

Kazem Gharibabadi added that the US naval blockade on Iran will be lifted as of June 15 and the immediate and permanent end of the war and military operations on all fronts is announced

Britain, Germany, Italy, France state their readiness to lift sanctions on Iran

The E4 countries said they were prepared to lift certain sanctions in response to what they called "clear and verifiable" steps by Iran regarding its nuclear program

Iran to forego charging fee for passage through Strait of Hormuz for 60 days — agency

According to the publication, following this 60-day period, Iran intends to offer services in the areas of security, navigation, environment, and insurance

Iran divides countries into three categories based on use of Strait of Hormuz — TV

According to the TV channel, all states are divided into three categories — "hostile," "neutral," and "friendly"

Cooperation with Russia to benefit Japan amid Hormuz closure — lawmaker

When asked about the possibility of lifting the price cap on Russian oil, Shoji Nishida expressed the view that Washington is standing in the way of this

Russian MP warns of nuclear proliferation risk if Israel uses nukes against Iran

Alexey Pushkov noted that the question of whether Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will use nuclear weapons in Iran has been actively discussed on American television in recent days

Secessionist sentiment stronger in some US states, Canada — newspaper

The Seattle-based organization Cascadia Democratic Action is preparing referendums in Washington and Oregon to establish an independent nation of Cascadia and secede from the US in 2028

Former leader puts question mark over Moldova’s EU membership in coming years

Igor Dodon pointed out that the Europeans themselves acknowledge that becoming a member of the European Union will be very challenging

EU accession talks with Ukraine to begin with issues of democracy, values — von der Leyen

On June 15 Ukraine and Moldova will take an important step on their path to the EU, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said

Philippines requests its leader’s first personal meeting with Putin — ambassador

Apart from the ASEAN-Russia summit, the two leaders could discuss a certain progress in bilateral dialogue between the Philippines and Russia

Trump tells Putin US-Iran deal is close, may de announced today — Kremlin aide

The upcoming memorandum between the United States and Iran was among the topics discussed by Presidents Vladimir Putin of Russia and Donald Trump of the United States during their phone call

Trump says victory over Nazism must not be forgotten — Kremlin aide

It is noteworthy that US President spoke about the alliance between our two countries during the Second World War, Yury Ushakov said

Fico slams EU approach to conflict in Ukraine

According to the Slovak Prime Minister, EU leaders must focus on the issues most critical to the community, namely "the decline in the competitiveness of the entire European Union and extremely high energy prices"

Ukraine loses up to 1,350 troops along engagement line over past day — Russia’s top brass

According to the Russian Defense Ministry’s figures the Ukrainian army lost up to 210 troops in the responsibility area of Russia’s Battlegroup North

Precious metals futures post gains

As of 10:30 a.m. Moscow time, August gold futures on Comex were trading at $4,336.7 per troy ounce, up 2.31%

BBC covered up US biolab network in Ukraine — expert

According to Fauzan Al-Rasyid, the facts reveal that the true disinformation was engineered in Washington, broadcast from London, and amplified by anti-Russian embassies across the globe

Company making Hornet drones for attacks on Russia owned by Google ex-head — envoy

The first combat use of such drones in the zone of the special military operation was recorded in March 2026, when these drones attacked Donetsk, said Ambassador-at-Large of the Russian Foreign Ministry for the Crimes of the Kiev Regime Rodion Miroshnik

US troop buildup near Iran not sign of any new decisions — White House

The United States and Israel launched a military operation against Iran on February 28

Agreement between US, Iran reached, Pakistani PM announces

Shehbaz Sharif emphasized that both sides have declared the immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon

Trump says postponed US-Iran deal signing due to Israel’s attack on Beirut — media

"It is so bad — I couldn't believe it", US President said

Trump says he may make US 'guardian of Middle East' in return for 20% of region’s revenues

Donald Trump noted that the US would be ready to assume this role if Iran failed to reach a final nuclear accord with the United States

Ukraine used nearly half of its Western aid to pay off debts

Ukraine's total debt to foreign and domestic creditors amounts currently to $208.97 billion

Chinese cars are now better than German and Japanese ones — Russian Public Chamber

Deputy Secretary of the Russian Public Chamber Alexander Galushka noted that China is "deliberately focusing on the technological development of its economy"

Russia to introduce new weather modification agents regulation since September

It will be effective until September 1, 2032

Putin’s congratulations to Trump were informal — Kremlin aide

They were reflected the nature of the personal relationship between the two leaders, Yury Ushakov said

Three political forces to be represented in Armenia’s new parliament

These three forces are: Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s Civil Contract party, which garnered 49.7456% of votes, Samvel Karapetyan’s Strong Armenia bloc (23.2710%), and former President Robert Kocharyan’s Armenia bloc (9.9231%)

Pezeshkian asks global community to judge which side, Iran or US, actually favors dialogue

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian invited the world to judge which side engages in terrorism

Hungary says Kiev’s EU talks may be suspended over deal with Budapest

Anita Orban emphasized that Hungary supported Ukraine's accession to the EU "based on the results of reforms," taking into account the same requirements that are imposed on all candidates

US-Israeli strike on humanitarian aid aircraft in western Iran reported

The Civil Aviation Organization of the Islamic Republic called on all international bodies to take appropriate measures in response to this incident

Armenia would make mistake by relying solely on Western support — Russia's SVR chief

Sergey Naryshkin believes that additional barriers and difficulties will inevitably arise for the country's economic development

General HQ of Iranian army warns of potentially larger strikes on Tel Aviv

The Iranian military also advised "host countries of US military bases to force the Americans to leave their territory, if they want to avoid damage"

Putin talks to Trump over phone, congratulates him on his 80th birthday

Today’s phone call was the first one between the two leaders in the past month and a half

Putin notes mutual understanding he has developed with Trump

This allows them to discuss the most important issues frankly, according to a congratulatory telegram marking the US president’s 80th birthday that was released by the Kremlin

Putin suggests Trump tell Zelensky remember Holocaust — Kremlin aide

Vladimir Zelensky would do well to heed the advice not to forget the Holocaust, rather than honoring Nazi criminals, Russian President Vladimir Putin said during a phone call with his US counterpart

US responsible for implementation of US-Iran agreement — Araghchi

The United States, Iran and Pakistan, acting as a mediator, confirmed the agreement between Washington and Tehran will be signed in Geneva on June 19

US, Iran not to sign peace memorandum on Sunday — Iranian Foreign Ministry

But it is possible in the next few days, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said

Russia, China find good solutions for payments — envoy

More systemic issues are considered at present as the issue of payments has been resolved by now in terms of tactics, chairman of the Russian part of the Russia-China Committee of Friendship, Peace and Development Boris Titov said

Trump says not concerned with change of power in Iran

"This is the third group we've dealt with, and this is the most rational group yet," the US president said

Death toll from Israeli attacks on Lebanon exceeds 3,780 — health ministry

At least 27 people died and 67 more were injured after Israeli airstrikes on southern Lebanon during the past day, the Lebanon’s health ministry said

US denies Iran’s claim that it will get $12 bln from its frozen assets — Axios

According to the portal, Iran will not be able to get the sum from its frozen funds unconditionally before a 60-day period of negotiations starts

Issue with Power of Siberia 2 gas pipeline to be solved soon — envoy

Chairman of the Russian part of the Russia-China Committee of Friendship, Peace and Development Boris Titov emphasized that the issue relates more to logistics, but not to the price

UK to ban social media for those under 16 — prime minister

According to Keir Starmer, social media is "designed to be addictive" and "is making children unhappy," as it also enables bullying and harassment

Trump says Iran has 48 hours to make deal or open strait

Time is running out: 48 hours remain before all hell rains down on them, US President said

Netanyahu told Trump that Israel will not pull back troops from Lebanon — Ynet portal

According to the publication, the Istraeli prime minister "made it clear" that the Israel Defense Forces will continue to act against the threat from the Shiite movement Hezbollah