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Russia, Iran Discuss Military Cooperation

Rescuers work at the site of a Russian drone strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Romny in Sumy region, Ukraine August 23, 2023, in this screengrab obtained from a social media video. State Emergency Service of Ukraine via Facebook/via REUTERS
Rescuers work at the site of a Russian drone strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Romny in Sumy region, Ukraine August 23, 2023, in this screengrab obtained from a social media video. State Emergency Service of Ukraine via Facebook/via REUTERS
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Russia, Iran Discuss Military Cooperation

Rescuers work at the site of a Russian drone strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Romny in Sumy region, Ukraine August 23, 2023, in this screengrab obtained from a social media video. State Emergency Service of Ukraine via Facebook/via REUTERS
Rescuers work at the site of a Russian drone strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Romny in Sumy region, Ukraine August 23, 2023, in this screengrab obtained from a social media video. State Emergency Service of Ukraine via Facebook/via REUTERS

Russia's Defense Ministry has said that the country's deputy defense minister, Alexander Fomin, had discussed military cooperation with the commander of Iran's ground forces, Kiumars Heydari, Interfax reported.

State media reported the arrival of an Iranian military delegation in Moscow on Monday.

The two sides discussed issues of bilateral military and military-technical cooperation. "They exchanged views on the issues of bilateral security ... and reaffirmed their intention to deepen dialogue and increase the level of development of contact in the defense sphere," stated the Defense Ministry, according to TASS news agency.

Russia and Iran, both under Western economic sanctions, have forged closer relations in military and other areas since Russia launched its war in Ukraine 18 months ago.

The West has accused Iran of selling large numbers of drones for use against Ukraine, something Tehran denies.

Last week, the Financial Times reported that the US is pushing Iran to stop selling armed drones to Russia as part of discussions on a broader “unwritten understanding” between Washington and Tehran to de-escalate tensions and contain a long-simmering nuclear crisis.

According to an Iranian official and another person briefed on the talks, the US wants Iran to stop supplying drones to Russia, as well as spare parts for the unmanned aircraft.

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Taiwan Reports Chinese Balloon, First Time in Six Months

A woman holds flags amid celebrations of the 130th foundation anniversary of Taiwan's largest opposition party Kuomintang (KMT), in Taoyuan, Taiwan November 24, 2024. (Reuters)
A woman holds flags amid celebrations of the 130th foundation anniversary of Taiwan's largest opposition party Kuomintang (KMT), in Taoyuan, Taiwan November 24, 2024. (Reuters)
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Taiwan Reports Chinese Balloon, First Time in Six Months

A woman holds flags amid celebrations of the 130th foundation anniversary of Taiwan's largest opposition party Kuomintang (KMT), in Taoyuan, Taiwan November 24, 2024. (Reuters)
A woman holds flags amid celebrations of the 130th foundation anniversary of Taiwan's largest opposition party Kuomintang (KMT), in Taoyuan, Taiwan November 24, 2024. (Reuters)

Taiwan's defense ministry on Monday reported that a Chinese balloon had been detected over the sea to Taiwan's north, the first time since April it has reported such an incident in what Taipei views as part of a pattern of harassment by Beijing.

Taiwan, which China claims as its own territory, complained that in the weeks leading up to its presidential election in January Chinese balloon activity took place at an "unprecedented scale".

It described the incidents as part of a Chinese pressure campaign - so-called grey-zone warfare designed to exhaust a foe using irregular tactics without open combat.

Taiwan strongly objects to China’s sovereignty claims and says only the island’s people can decide their future.

The ministry, in its regular morning update on Chinese military activities over the previous 24 hours, said the single balloon was detected at 6:21 p.m. (1021 GMT) on Sunday 60 nautical miles (111 km) to the north of Taiwan's Keelung port.

It then vanished some two hours later, having flown at an altitude of 33,000 ft (10,000 meters), but without crossing Taiwan itself, the ministry said.

China's defense ministry did not respond to a request for comment.

China has previously dismissed Taiwan's complaints about the balloons, saying they were for meteorological purposes and should not be hyped up for political reasons.

The potential for China to use balloons for spying became a global issue last year when the United States shot down what it said was a Chinese surveillance balloon. China said the balloon was a civilian craft that accidentally drifted astray.