Middle Eastern countries disappointed with US security guarantees — ex-top diplomat

Middle Eastern countries disappointed with US security guarantees — ex-top diplomat Antony Blinken said the US had no good military solution to the current conflict "absent a full-scale invasion of Iran, which would be a disaster"NEW YORK, September 16. /TASS/. US allies in the Middle East have been disappointed with Washington’s ability to ensure their security, former US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told Bloomberg in an interview. "It’s sending a message, unfortunately, to our partners in the region that they can’t necessarily count on us when it comes to coming to their defense. And what’s the result? They are all looking to talk to Tehran, maybe cut a deal with Tehran," he said. Blinken believes that "there is not really a good military solution, absent a full-scale invasion of Iran, which would be a disaster." "For all of the damage that we’ve done, they still have a lot in their arsenal and they keep producing more. There is not a good military way out; diplomacy is the way you’ve got to go," he concluded. Earlier, Hisham Ahmed Hellyer, senior associate fellow at the Royal United Services Institute, said in an op-ed for Time that Gulf nations were seeking to reduce their dependence on the US as the only external security guarantor while expanding ties with regional partners. TagsUnited StatesIranUS seeks to normalize military use of outer space — newspaperThe Wall Street Journal reported that, according to officials, open discussion of the issue could deter adversaries that also seek to launch weapons into orbitRead moreRussia seeks sustainable peace in Ukraine conflict — Kremlin spokesmanAccording to Dmitry Peskov, The Ukraine process is currently on hold Read moreRussia to respond accordingly if Lithuania moves to field nuclear weapons — MFAAs for the autumn session of the Lithuanian Seimas on amending legislation to allow the deployment of foreign nuclear weapons, this is a completely irresponsible act, Maria Zakharova saidRead moreLukoil refinery crisis shows Europe cost of severing ties with Russia — expert"The longer the Petrotel refinery remains idle, the more the sanctions issue will transform from a foreign policy matter into a domestic political challenge for the country's authorities," Ilya Grashchenkov saidRead moreExplosions heard in Iranian city of Qeshm — agencyAccording to sources cited by IRNA, the sounds came from the seaRead moreG7 losing ground in global economy, BRICS drives over half of growth — Kremlin official"If you look at the global GDP structure, China is the leading economy by a wide margin, India has risen to third place, and Russia and Japan share fourth and fifth places," Maxim Oreshkin, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Russian Presidential Executive Office, saidRead moreUS Navy escorts oil tankers through Strait of Hormuz at night, energy secretary saysUS Energy Secretary Chris Wright said that the United States had taken away Iran's leverage in negotiations by preventing it from holding shipping hostage like it wantedRead moreSwitzerland not being considered for new round of Ukraine talks — Russian foreign ministryMaria Zakharova cited the loss of neutrality in Switzerland’s policy, Russophobia in the context of joining anti-Russian sanctions and related statements as reasonsRead moreUnlike Ukraine, Russian army not targeting civilians in its attacks, diplomat saysMaria Zakharova's comment came in response to a question from media regarding allegations in the Western press about a recent "deliberate" Russian strike on a passenger train carrying former and current Western officialsRead moreNATO intelligence services find evidence linking Kiev to Leipzig incident — Russian SVRThe Russian Foreign Intelligence Service noted that "many in the West are merely pretending to believe the German leadership"Read moreUS cannot trust Merz’s words — Trump’s envoy"Merz is mad that Americans want the German government to pay its NATO obligations," Richard Grenell saidRead moreMost UAVs flying deep into Russia downed by mobile armed units along border — expertOleg Ivanov said that mobile armed units had become an effective layered defense system in the Kursk RegionRead moreBrent crude surges past $109 a barrel in ICE trading rallyBy 08:19 p.m. Moscow time, Brent was up 3.38%, trading at $109.25 per barrelRead moreIN BRIEF: Russian Armed Forces strike Ukrainian military, energy, transport facilitiesAs a result of strikes in the Velikaya Balka settlement in the Odessa Region, a logistics center for the storage and distribution of military cargo arriving in Ukraine from abroad was struckRead moreBritish national eliminated in Russia’s special mil-op zone in Ukraine — top brassThe sources said that three more Ukrainian officers have been killed as well, including a senior lieutenant of the National Guard of UkraineRead moreOil exports to Europe reach around 25 mln tons in 2025 — NovakThe Russian deputy prime minister noted that the share of hard-to-recover reserves in Russian oil production surged from 20% in 2010 to 63% in 2025Read moreDrone attacks fishing vessels near Iran’s Hormozgan province, IRIB reportsA search operation is currently underwayRead moreRussian forces break through Ukrainian defenses in Orekhov area — expertAndrey Marochko noted that Russian troops had made significant advances in this sectorRead moreUkrainian servicemen shot, tortured civilians in Kursk Region — human rights commissionerYana Lantratova said that many civilians were shot in their homesRead moreUS House advances Russia sanctions billThe House of Representatives voted 214-211Read moreZelensky dismisses Kravchenko as prosecutor generalKravchenko had held the post since June 2025Read moreTrump became $2.7 bln richer after 2024 election — mediaAccording to Forbes, the US president cashed in on crypto ventures and overseas dealsRead moreRisk of large-scale conflict, NATO’s ‘confession’: SVR statementsSVR Director Sergey Naryshkin noted that NATO was interested in prolonging the Ukrainian conflict to limit Russia’s potentialRead moreMerz cancels trip to New York for UNGA events — news agencyGerman officials told DPA that the situation requires chancellor's presence in BerlinRead moreRussia remains guarantor of global energy security — Energy MinisterRussia holds the world's largest combined oil and gas reserves, amounting to approximately 60 billion tonnes of oil equivalent, Russian Energy Minister Sergey Tsivilyov saidRead moreEurope unlikely to go back to being Russia's top gas buyer — expertThe European market will remain large and attractive for Russia, Ilya Grashchenkov notedRead moreRussian indices decline as trading closes on Moscow ExchangeThe MOEX Index falling 1.02% to 2,337.1 points and the RTS Index dropping 0.90% to 874.02 pointsRead moreRussia fighting against both Ukrainian army, Western war machine — DPR leaderDenis Pushilin added that the Ukrainian military receives support from Western intelligence servicesRead moreNew cargo spacecraft to be launched to ISS this week — Roscosmos CEOProgress MS is used to deliver various cargo to the ISS, as well as to adjust its orbitRead moreRussia presses for urgent measures to prevent arms race in space — diplomatThe statements from US Air Force Secretary Troy Meink only serve as evidence how relevant Russian multilateral initiatives toward launching talks, Maria Zakharova saidRead more'Whisky war' brewing between England, Scotland — newspaperScotch Whisky Association Chief Executive Mark Kent said the rules governing English whisky are "entirely inconsistent with the reputation of single malt whisky"Read moreKiev loses some 1,375 troops along engagement line in past day — Russia’s top brassRussian airstrikes hit Ukrainian targets in Kharkov, Sumy RegionsRead moreKalashnikov Group presents Kalitka-KA anti-drone systemThe system is designed to protect strategic facilities from drone attacks at low and extremely low altitudesRead morePREVIEW: Beijing Xiangshan Forum opens with around 100 state delegations attendingThe three-day event has brought together official representatives from around 100 countriesRead moreRussian Baltic Fleet pilots destroy simulated enemy fortifications during exerciseCrews of Su-30SM2 multi-role fighters and Su-24M tactical front-line bombers from the Baltic Fleet’s naval aviation participated in the exerciseRead moreLarge group of countries ready to host Ukraine talks, source tells TASSEarlier, Kremlin Aide Yury Ushakov told Russian state-controlled television Channel One in a comment that Abu Dhabi has been discussed as a platform for hosting trilateral talks between Russia, Ukraine and the United States, and that Turkey and other countries too have offered their servicesRead moreKalashnikov unveils Zveroboy drone defense system at Moscow forumCustomers are offered two versions of the Zveroboy: a stationary version and a mobile version mounted on a pickup truck chassisRead moreAfD seeks full normalization of relations with Russia — BildSources told the newspaper that the party is also seeking an end to military aid to UkraineRead moreOverwhelming majority of Germans dissatisfied with Merz's performance — pollOnly 10% of respondents, three percentage points fewer than last week, gave a positive assessment of the government head’s performanceRead moreRussia to secure return of its foreign exchange reserves from West — LavrovThe Russian Foreign Minister said the European Commission still wants to confiscate these assetsRead moreSikorski's plans to restore Poland's greatness show 'unhealthy ambitions' — Kremlin aideNikolay Patrushev said he was previously surprised with the Polish foreign minister's lack of knowledge about history and RussiaRead moreEuropean Council president to call for creating European Security Council — mediaAccording to an article in Euractiv, Ursula von der Leyen will announce the proposal in her annual State of the European Union address in Strasbourg on WednesdayRead moreJapan maintains its presence in oil and gas projects in Russia — diplomatMaria Zakharova noted that Tokyo maintains and reaffirms the importance of its relations and energy cooperation with MoscowRead moreInformation warfare has no rules, creating them is our next step — GFCN presidentInterview with Vladimir Tabak, president of the Global Fact-Checking Network Read moreOnly 15% of Russia's trade done in dollars, euros — Kremlin officialMaxim Oreshkin, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Russian Presidential Executive Office, noted that sanctions pressure enabled a faster transition to a 'new track'Read moreRussia tests new concept for intercepting UAVs, unmanned surface vehiclesAlexey Chadayev emphasized that the tests demonstrated the concept’s effectiveness and feasibilityRead moreUN secretary-general candidate calls for comprehensive agreement on IranOlara Otunnu identified the resolution of the Iran conflict as one of the areas to which he intends to immediately give priority in the sphere of international peace and securityRead moreRussia’s current account surplus up to $33.9 bln in January-July — Central BankCurrent account surplus in July 2026 amounted to $1.7 bln, compared to $1 bln in July 2025Read moreKiev deliberately turns its civilian facilities into military targets — Russian diplomatUkraine is now reaping the inevitable consequences, Rodion Miroshnik statedRead moreMassive missile attack on Taganrog, 222 downed drones: Ukrainian strikes' aftermathWarehouses belonging to the Ozon company and agricultural enterprises were damaged, as were the windows of residential buildings and an educational institution in Rostov Region’s TaganrogRead moreUK actively explores participation in NATO’s defense bank — newspaperA senior Labour figure told The Financial Times that participation in the DSRB initiative could potentially help the UK reach a milestone of spending 3% of GDP on defense by 2030Read moreUN secretary-general candidate calls for organizing peace conference on UkraineOlara Otunnu called for urgent work with key stakeholdersRead morePress TV: Israeli military abducted Iranian TV journalist near BethlehemAccording to one of Hamed’s colleagues, the Israelis detained the entire crew and searched them, after which the cameramen were released, while the journalist herself was taken to an unknown locationRead moreNumber of injured in chairlift collapse in Russia’s Nalchik climbs to eightIt was clarified that two of those injured had been discharged following a medical checkupRead moreUN secretary-general candidate proposes creating special body on AIAccording to Olara Otunnu's assessment, the world is simultaneously on the threshold of a potential "golden age" and a period of serious upheaval, during which "drones and artificial intelligence might evolve to dominate the human race"Read moreRussia says Chisinau has no right to strip Russians in Transnistria of chance to vote"Russian citizens have the right to freely express their will; this is one of the fundamental human rights," Maria Zakharova notedRead moreIN BRIEF: Russian Foreign Minister on asset dispute, threats to freedom of navigationThe Russian foreign minister stressed that Western interference with freedom of navigation is a concern, as European states have detained 12 vessels since January of this yearRead moreWest’s interference with freedom of navigation causes concern — Lavrov"European states have detained 12 vessels since January this year based on made-up categories unknown to international law, such as the so-called 'shadow fleet' and others," the Russian foreign minister saidRead moreRussian football stars Safonov, Batrakov on national team’s roster for upcoming friendliesAccording to last week’s reports from the Russian Football Union, the national squad is set play friendly matches next month against Namibia and NigeriaRead moreRussia backs sovereign right of nations to choose their energy mix — Energy Minister"Russia’s position is to respect the sovereign right of every country to determine its own development path and energy mix," Sergey Tsivilyov saidRead morePress review: EU eyes Russian assets as Ukraine corruption scandal erodes Western trustTop stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, September 15thRead moreIran-backed Houthis’ actions go beyond domestic conflict — Yemen’s PMShaya Mohsen al-Zindani says Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia "cannot be separated from the military escalation" on Yemen’s Red Sea coastRead moreNot enough air defense assets in whole world to meet Kiev’s needs — former Estonian leaderThe situation for Ukrainians has clearly worsened, Kersti Kaljulaid saidRead moreForces supporting Yemeni government lose 500 fighters in battles with Houthis — TVAnother 1,500 or so were wounded, Al Jazeera reportedRead moreRussia, US need to launch dialogue on trade, investment prospects — MFAMaria Zakharova noted that in relations with the United States, "with the arrival of the current administration, some things have moved in the right direction"Read moreMoscow vows response to Hungarian move to expel Russian diplomats — MFAOn September 8, Hungary’s top diplomat Anita Orban said Budapest was expelling 10 Russian diplomats, citing the need to protect national securityRead moreDenmark’s provocative actions against Russian frigate raise concern — ambassadorVladimir Barbin expressed regret over Denmark’s reluctance to prevent maritime escalation and push toward strengthening mutual confidenceRead moreDPR leader sees Kiev regime, West making money on continued Ukraine conflictEU countries capitalize on weapons supplies to Kiev, Denis Pushilin saysRead moreBank of Russia lowers dollar exchange rate to 84.24 rubles for September 16The official euro exchange rate has been lowered by 46.14 kopecks to 97.3012 rublesRead moreOnly 20-25 million people live in Ukraine now, former Zelensky press secretary saysYulia Mendel added that Ukrainians continue to flee the countryRead moreWar between US, Iran to enter 'different phase' in coming months — VanceAccording to the vice president, the US has already completed the first phase, which was to destroy the nuclear program and conventional military of IranRead moreRussia's pipeline gas exports to Turkey fall 10% in January-JulyIn July alone, Turkey imported a combined 948 million cubic meters of Russian gas via the TurkStream and Blue Stream pipelinesRead moreRussia readies to strike Ukraine’s energy sites to retaliate attacks on its infrastructureAt the same time, Russian servicemen continued to launch coordinated strikes against Ukrainian military-industrial facilities that support the Ukrainian military overnight, the ministry emphasizedRead moreLeader of France’s 'Stand up, France!' party slams Macron’s 'nuclear umbrella' ideaNicolas Dupont-Aignan said that French President Emmanuel Macron’s nuclear deterrence initiative threatens the interests of the republicRead moreWestern Operational Command conducting command and staff exercise in BelarusThe drills are scheduled for September 15-18Read moreRussian diplomat warns NATO countries against supporting nuclear proliferationMaria Zakharova advised Western European hotheads to take a sober look at the worldRead moreUkraine's interceptor drones fall short in July tests — ReutersMany of the interceptor drones proved difficult to control at speeds sometimes exceeding 400 kilometers per hour, with some crashing into nearby fields and forests, the news agency notedRead moreOver 600 foreign tourists still missing after Nepal floods, portal reportsMost of the missing, 189, are Indian nationalsRead moreKiev loses some 1,225 troops along engagement line in past day — Defense MinistryOvernight, the Russian Armed Forces struck a logistics center in Velikaya Balka in the Odessa RegionRead moreTaimazova, Tasoyev to headline Russian squad at 2026 World Judo Championship in BakuThe 2026 World Judo Championships is scheduled to take place on October 4-11, 2026, at the National Gymnastics Arena in Baku, AzerbaijanRead moreRussian forces tightening Ukrainian troops’ encirclement in Volchansk — defense sourceAccording to the source, many Ukrainian soldiers have already begun to surrenderRead moreWar with Iran costs US taxpayers $38 billion — congressional budget officeThe authority also confirmed that the war had depleted US weapons stocks, including critically important interceptors for air defense systemsRead moreDuma advises Kallas to seek treatment for her persecution complex regarding RussiaAndrey Kolesnik commented on a statement by the head of European diplomacy Kaja Kallas, who claimed that the purpose of a recent incident where a drone attacked a train near the border between Ukraine and Poland was allegedly to "intimidate" European countriesRead moreUN secretary-general candidate wants peace in Gaza based on Oslo, Abraham AccordsHe described the resolution of major conflicts as one of the issues he intends to prioritize, noting that international peace, security, and international cooperation constitute "the core mandate of the United Nations"Read moreKremlin briefing touches on Ukrainian attempt to strike energy site, Trump’s truce ideaIt is possible to discuss the resumption of Russian gas supplies to Europe only if they are beneficial for the country, Dmitry Peskov saidRead moreRussian national pleads guilty to illegally exporting aircraft parts — Justice DepartmentSamuylovsky faces up to 20 years in prisonRead moreRuble’s real effective exchange rate down 7.1% in August — Central BankSince the beginning of this year the exchange rate has decreased by 5.1%Read moreIran lifts ban on use of foreign messengers by government agenciesIslamic Republic Government Spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani said that the main goal of the move is "to ensure the ability to promptly respond to emerging doubts and planted information, as well as effectively counter psychological operations and the information war" against IranRead moreViktor Bout sees no real readiness from US to restore relations with RussiaViktor Bout noted that the US Congress continues to consider new sanctions against Russia Read moreDiplomat blasts European attempts to pull nukes closer to Russian bordersMaria Zakharova commented on Finland’s move to join a France-led nuclear deterrence initiativeRead moreTrade, tech curbs only worsen global energy imbalances — Russian Energy MinisterSergey Tsivilyov commented on Moscow's key proposals for the G20 ministerial energy meeting in Houston, Texas, which runs through September 16Read moreRussia, Ukraine preparing new family reunification initiative — human rights commissionerYana Lantratova declined to specify the number of people involved or when the humanitarian initiative might take placeRead moreEU foreign policy chief Kallas says would answer phone call from Russia’s Putin, LavrovKaja Kallas also recalled her meetings with Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov at international forums, including at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the G20Read moreUkraine carries out two attacks on residential areas in DPR in past dayOne civilian was reported injuredRead moreThousands of migrants remain in Spain’s Ceuta — European CommissionerAt the end of July, nearly 80,000 illegal migrants crossed from Morocco into Spain’s African exclave of CeutaRead moreMideast facing worst energy logistics crisis in modern history — Russian Energy MinisterSergey Tsivilyov commented on the situation in the Strait of HormuzRead moreAny use of Russian assets would cause greater damage to Europe than to Russia — portalEurope is forced to balance between aiding Ukraine and financial suicide, media outlet InsideOver saidRead moreRussia to work on permanent visa-free regime with China — foreign ministryMaria Zakharova recalled that Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed a visa-free regime through mid-September 2026 a year ago, an initiative supported by Russian President Vladimir Putin, after which a reciprocal visa-free regime was introduced for Chinese citizensRead moreThree fires break out after massive attack on TaganrogMayor Svetlana Kambulova said the missile attack had damaged windows in five apartment buildings and three private homesRead moreCasualties in Sochi, 399 UAVs: aftermath of Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian regionsFalling UAV debris injured five people, including a child, in Russia’s southern city of Sochi in the Krasnodar RegionRead moreLeaders of Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland sign memorandum on right to leave UKThe signing ceremony took place in the Welsh capital of CardiffRead more