Iran, Russia, US tensions and regional developments: key headlines

Iran uses AI drones in latest retaliatory strikes on US bases — army spokesperson. Mohammad Akraminia noted that Tehran does not rule out the possibility of conducting preventive operations in the event of threats.

Russian air defenses down over 6,000 Ukrainian drones over past week — top brass. According to the Russian Defense Ministry, since the start of the special military operation, Russian forces have destroyed a total of 674 Ukrainian aircraft, 284 helicopters and 227,730 unmanned aerial vehicles.

UK preparing to pierce Moscow air defenses with missiles, drones — opposition politician. According to Viktor Medvedchuk, the UK has developed a production and testing base for the mass manufacture of reconnaissance and long-range drones, created a mechanism for transferring Ukrainian combat experience to its own industry.

Trump says US will soon prevail over Iran. The US president has assured that the operation against Iran is a success, and his country now controls the Strait of Hormuz.

Russian stealth UAVs launched from Su-57E fighter to make global debut at Egypt show. Rostec noted that the unmanned platforms feature stealth, long range, and high-speed capabilities.

Whole world to benefit from restored Russia-US relations — ex-congressman. Dennis Kucinich added that this "move is good for Russia, it's good for the United States".

Two Arctic agreements, each worth over 1 trillion rubles, signed at EEF. Minister for the Development of the Russian Far East Alexey Chekunkov stressed that the projects would not be implemented all at once, given the scale of the investments.

Russia-China relations continue to grow stronger — Putin. The Russian president also noted that energy is traditionally one of the most significant and dynamic areas of economic cooperation between the two countries.

Russia calls on OPCW to act professionally on issue of Syrian chemical dossier. Permanent Representative to the UN Vasily Nebenzya says the issue of the Syrian chemical dossier "presents an extremely complex equation with numerous variables".

Russian mission to UN responds to General Assembly on claims over Crimea’s status. Russia's Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN Maria Zabolotskaya emphasized that these territories "are part of Russia, and have been part of Russia for centuries".

Trump says he has not yet considered inviting Putin to G20 summit. In late April, the US president told journalists that the presence of his Russian counterpart at the upcoming G20 summit in the US in December would be very useful.

JD Vance mum on whether US to end war with Iran by November elections. The US vice president also said that only US actions can save the world from an energy crisis.

Over 300 US companies remain in Russia — EEF organizer. Anton Kobyakov added that the government is creating no obstacles for those who decided to stay, they are treated on equal footing with local companies and viewed as Russian economic operators.

US won’t negotiate with Iran until Tehran stops ‘shooting at ships’ — JD Vance. The US vice president added that major combat operations against Iran "haven't been ongoing in a very long time".

Netanyahu says Israel’s top priority is to topple Iranian regime. According to the Israeli prime minister, Iran is today "weaker than ever before" and is "fighting for its life".

Moscow won't ask Kiev to stop terrorist attacks ahead of US envoys' visit to Russia. According to earlier reports, US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner intend to travel to Moscow and Kiev on September 5-6.

European society too pampered, unprepared for war with Russia — intel chief. Sergey Naryshkin highlighted that politicians and the financial-industrial groups used the myth of a threat from the East to sharply increase military spending.

EEF highlights Russia’s vision of 'new world of equality' — Serbian politician. Asked to assess Serbia’s capacity to participate in projects discussed at the EEF, Aleksandar Vulin said that "everyone who is willing has a lot of opportunities".

Putin recounts story of running into tiger in woods during his visit to Russia’s Far East. The Russian president mentioned the natural wealth of these places.

Germany refuses to transfer employees of consulate in Bonn to Berlin — Russian ambassador. Sergey Nechayev recalled that the Consulate General in Bonn was the last of five Russian consulates general operating in Germany.

FACTBOX: Novak’s statements about Power of Baikal, Russia’s fuel situation. According to the official, Russia and China are currently discussing the Power of Baikal gas pipeline project, formerly known as Power of Siberia 2, for Russian gas supplies to China.

Oman rejects deal with Iran on joint fee collection for Hormuz passage — media. A senior regional official told The New York Post that in order to avoid potential quarrels with US President Donald Trump, Muscat rejected even the idea of voluntary fees to be used to ensure security and environmental protection in the strait.

Trump says US to seek payment for ammunition sent to Ukraine free of charge. The US president said the Biden administration provided Ukraine with far more ammunition free of charge than Washington used during the war with Iran.

Germany’s long-range arms facilities could rightfully be targeted, Russian Embassy says. German military initiatives would constitute a direct threat to Russia and the Union State if put into practice, the Russian diplomatic mission said.

No specific conditions yet for Ukraine peace settlement — Kremlin spokesman. Dmitry Peskov said it is too early to talk about any new peace initiatives following Vladimir Putin’s statements at the Eastern Economic Forum.

Trump says he wants conflict in Ukraine to end. The US president reiterated that if he had won the 2020 presidential election, the conflict would not have happened.

Russian intel chief warns of real risk of large-scale conflict in Eurasia. Sergey Naryshkin pointed out that the European leaders believed in controlled escalation and a strategy of brinkmanship developed by Western intelligence agencies in the past century.

IN BRIEF: Key statements by Russian Deputy PM Trutnev at EEF. Yury Trutnev noted that Norwegian authorities have no choice but to release the passengers of the Russian research vessel Professor Molchanov.

Vance acknowledges that US has not won any military conflicts in several decades. The US vice president added that he agrees with with Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth "that we needed to have a culture shift at the Department of War".

What is known about European Commission’s plans to restrict visas for Russia, EU reaction. According to the diplomatic source, the European Commission has spent the last four years trying to implement a plan that would make entry into the EU a privilege for Russians.

Ukraine loses over 1,660 troops in Battlegroup North responsibility area over past week. The Russian Defense Ministry reported that damage was inflicted on manpower and equipment of five mechanized and motorized infantry brigades, two airborne brigades, an assault regiment of the Ukrainian armed forces.

Vance sees possibility of covert subversive operations to put pressure on Iran. The US president clarified that "everything that could happen is on the table".

Affected oil refineries being restored with domestic equipment — Manturov. The first deputy prime minister added that the government is being informed immediately about all shutdowns of equipment at oil refineries caused by external impact.

SVR chief calls global situation 'very complex,' says range of global threats expanding. "The level of escalation is rising and new risks and hotspots of tension are emerging," Sergey Naryshkin emphasized.

China responded to some of US requests regarding ‘economic war on Iran’ — Vance. Speaking about isolation of Iran, the US vice president said that, in his opinion, China is "willing to play ball here, and we all know this".

Kremlin spokesman responds to Bessent's statement on Russian-Iranian relations. "It is unlikely that the United States can or should monopolize its relations with any one country," Dmitry Peskov said.

IN BRIEF: Russian Foreign Minister on Ukraine conflict, Europe’s military buildup. Sergey Lavrov also addressed the status of the Russian language and the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Ukraine, and the situation in the Asia-Pacific region.

JD Vance laments ‘ridiculous atrophy’ in Europe’s military capabilities. US Energy Secretary Chris Wright previously stated in an interview with CNBC that on September 1, oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz exceeded 17 million barrels.

US envoys may visit Moscow, Kiev: what we know so far. In early September, a source told TASS that Witkoff and Kushner were intensifying their mediation efforts on Ukraine.

European intelligence gives Ukraine’s mobilization potential one year — Russian SVR chief. Sergey Naryshkin also said that "Europe has a Plan B".

Suspicious object resembling launcher found near German substation. According to a report by DPA, the item is currently being examined by experts to determine whether it could be intended for an attack on the local electrical power grid.

Norway tells Russia to stay off its turf by seizing Professor Molchanov vessel — expert. Alexander Stepanov called the move a provocation that is aimed at blocking Russia’s maritime logistics both in the Baltic and in the northern waters.

Russia to view deployed German long-range systems as legitimate targets — embassy. A representative of the Russian embassy in Berlin said that this would be the case if these systems were aimed at Russia.

German politician calls for international commission to probe into Leipzig UAV incident. According to Peter Gauweiler, such a commission should determine who is actually behind the incident.