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UK: Iran Likely Top Military Backer of Russia in Ukraine War

Russian troops in Ukraine. AP
Russian troops in Ukraine. AP
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UK: Iran Likely Top Military Backer of Russia in Ukraine War

Russian troops in Ukraine. AP
Russian troops in Ukraine. AP

Iran is now likely the top military backer of Russia, the UK said, as the Kremlin looks to expand its missile strikes against Ukraine’s national infrastructure.

The Biden administration is accusing Russia of moving to provide advanced military assistance to Iran, including air defense systems, helicopters and fighter jets, part of deepening cooperation between the two nations as Tehran provides drones to support Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine.

White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby on Friday cited US intelligence assessments for the allegations, saying Russia was offering Iran “an unprecedented level of military and technical support that is transforming their relationship into a full-fledged defense partnership.”

Overnight, Russian forces struck energy infrastructure with Iranian-made drones in the Odesa region that’s left thousands of people without power, according to a Ukraine’s southern operational command.

In the last 24 hours Russia has carried out five missile strikes, about 20 airstrikes and more than 60 rocket launcher attacks, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said.

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World

Macron Says it is Unrealistic to Open Hormuz Strait by Force

FILE PHOTO: A cargo ship in the Gulf, near the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from northern Ras al-Khaimah, near the border with Oman’s Musandam governance- REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: A cargo ship in the Gulf, near the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from northern Ras al-Khaimah, near the border with Oman’s Musandam governance- REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo
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Macron Says it is Unrealistic to Open Hormuz Strait by Force

FILE PHOTO: A cargo ship in the Gulf, near the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from northern Ras al-Khaimah, near the border with Oman’s Musandam governance- REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: A cargo ship in the Gulf, near the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from northern Ras al-Khaimah, near the border with Oman’s Musandam governance- REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo

French President Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday it would be unrealistic to launch a military operation to force open the Strait of Hormuz, after US President Donald Trump challenged US allies to work towards reopening it.

Thousands of people have been killed across the Middle East since February 28, when the US and Israel struck Iran, triggering Iranian attacks on Israel, US bases and the Gulf states, and Tehran effectively closing the waterway that carries about a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies.

"Some people defend the idea of freeing the Strait of Hormuz by force via a military operation, a position sometimes expressed by the United States, although it has varied," Macron told reporters during a trip to South Korea.

"This was never the option we have supported because it is unrealistic," he said. "It would take forever, and would expose all those who go through the Strait to risks from the guardians of the revolution but also ballistic missiles," he said.

Macron, who has worked with European and other allies to build a coalition to guarantee free passage through Hormuz once hostilities have stopped, said this could only be done by talking to Iran.

"What we say from the beginning is that this strait must be reopened because it is strategic for energy flows, fertilisers and international trade, but that it can only be done in consultation with Iran," he said.

Asked about Trump's criticism of NATO allies and threats to pull the US out of the alliance, Macron said: "I don't want to provide a running commentary of an operation the Americans have decided on their own with Israel. They can deplore the fact they're not being helped, but that's not our operation. We want peace as soon as possible."

Macron also said that Trump's comments mocking him and his wife Brigitte were "neither elegant, nor commensurate" with the moment.

World

Strike Hits Bridge Near Tehran Again

Smoke rises from the site of an airstrike on Tehran (File/AFP)
Smoke rises from the site of an airstrike on Tehran (File/AFP)
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Strike Hits Bridge Near Tehran Again

Smoke rises from the site of an airstrike on Tehran (File/AFP)
Smoke rises from the site of an airstrike on Tehran (File/AFP)

US-Israeli strikes hit a bridge near Tehran on Thursday, which had already been hit around an hour earlier, Iranian state TV reported.

"A few minutes ago, the American-Zionist enemy once again targeted the B1 bridge in Karaj," a city west of Tehran, state TV said, adding that the first strike had caused two civilian casualties, AFP reported.

It said the later attack took place as emergency teams were deployed to the site to help victims of the first strike.

World

Argentina Expels Iran's Charge D'affaires

Argentine flag flutters in front of the presidential palace, Casa Rosada, as Argentina's government expects the International Monetary Fund board will approve a $20 billion loan, in Buenos Aires, Argentina April 11, 2025. REUTERS/Irina Dambrauskas
Argentine flag flutters in front of the presidential palace, Casa Rosada, as Argentina's government expects the International Monetary Fund board will approve a $20 billion loan, in Buenos Aires, Argentina April 11, 2025. REUTERS/Irina Dambrauskas
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Argentina Expels Iran's Charge D'affaires

Argentine flag flutters in front of the presidential palace, Casa Rosada, as Argentina's government expects the International Monetary Fund board will approve a $20 billion loan, in Buenos Aires, Argentina April 11, 2025. REUTERS/Irina Dambrauskas
Argentine flag flutters in front of the presidential palace, Casa Rosada, as Argentina's government expects the International Monetary Fund board will approve a $20 billion loan, in Buenos Aires, Argentina April 11, 2025. REUTERS/Irina Dambrauskas

Argentina's government declared Iran's charge d'affaires, Mohsen Tehrani, "persona non grata" and expelled him from the country, Argentina's Foreign Minister said in a statement on Thursday.

The measure orders Tehrani to leave the country within 48 hours.

The decision comes in response to a statement released on Wednesday by Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which accused Argentina's president Javier Milei, an ally of US president Donald Trump, and his foreign minister Pablo Quirno, of being complicit in military attacks on its territory, Reuters reported.

Argentina's Foreign Minister said Iran's claims "contain false, offensive, and unfounded accusations against the Argentine Republic and its highest authorities."

Earlier this week, the Milei government had designated the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) a terrorist organization.