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US-Iran nuclear talks in Geneva ended with Iran describing progress on "guiding principles," even as the two sides remain divided over uranium enrichment. Iran's Revolutionary Guard simultaneously conducted live-fire drills in the Strait of Hormuz, while a major US military buildup continued to converge on the region.

Elsewhere, Russia has warned it may deploy naval forces to protect shadow fleet tankers from European seizure, and US-brokered Ukraine-Russia peace talks opened in Geneva with low expectations as fighting continued.

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1️⃣ 🇷🇺🇪🇺 Russia warns navy may escort shadow fleet tankers: A senior official said Moscow could deploy naval forces to protect vessels from possible European seizures and suggested interest in European-flagged ships if blockades occur. The warning came as sanctions pressure increases and strikes in Ukraine damaged infrastructure, though details of any action remain unclear.

2️⃣ 🇺🇸🇵🇭 US plans more missile deployments in Philippines: Washington and Manila said they would expand missile and unmanned system deployments to strengthen deterrence and deepen defence cooperation amid tensions in the South China Sea. China opposed the moves as destabilizing, while officials did not specify numbers, timelines, or final deployment plans.

3️⃣ 🇫🇷🇮🇳 Macron and Modi deepen strategic partnership: France and India held talks to expand cooperation across defence, trade, energy, and technology, while inaugurating a joint helicopter production line. Leaders also discussed global conflicts and trade ties.

4️⃣ 🇺🇦🇷🇺 Peace talks resume as fighting continues: The first day of U.S.-brokered negotiations in Geneva ended with discussions on practical issues and plans to continue talks, while expectations for a breakthrough remained low. Heavy strikes and drone attacks on both sides continued, causing casualties and infrastructure damage alongside the diplomacy.

5️⃣ 🇪🇺🇺🇦 EU urges repair of Druzhba pipeline disruption: Brussels is pressing Kyiv for updates on restoring the damaged oil pipeline supplying Hungary and Slovakia, while officials said both countries still have adequate reserves and are exploring alternatives. Conflicting claims over the cause and timing of repairs have increased political tensions between Ukraine and some EU states.

Major Story

🇺🇸🇮🇷 US-Iran tensions mount as military buildups converge on Gulf

The US and Iran concluded a second round of indirect nuclear talks in Geneva on Tuesday, with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi describing the atmosphere as "more constructive" than the first meeting and saying both sides had agreed on a set of "guiding principles." A final agreement remains far off, with Iran's insistence on retaining the right to domestic uranium enrichment sitting directly against Washington's demand that it be abandoned entirely. American officials did not publicly comment on the outcome, though one unnamed US official said Iran would submit more detailed proposals within two weeks to address the gaps between the two sides.

As talks concluded, Iran's Revolutionary Guard conducted live-fire drills in the Strait of Hormuz, temporarily closing parts of the waterway for the first time since Trump threatened military action in January. Supreme Leader Khamenei used the occasion to warn that weapons exist capable of sinking US warships. A simultaneous US military buildup accelerated in the region, with F-22s, F-16s, E-3 AWACS aircraft, F-35s, and a second carrier strike group all converging on the Middle East. Defence analysts noted the assembled force — combined with Israeli air capabilities — would be sufficient for a sustained air campaign lasting weeks. Oil markets eased on the diplomatic progress, with Brent crude falling 1.8% as the talks wrapped.

Other News

1️⃣ 🇮🇱 Muslim states condemn West Bank land registration move: Eight Muslim-majority countries said Israel’s decision to begin land registration in the West Bank violates international law and could accelerate settlement expansion. The joint statement rejected unilateral changes to the territory’s status and warned the step could raise regional tensions.

2️⃣ 🇺🇦 Ukraine regains ground amid counteroffensive push: Ukrainian forces recaptured several settlements across multiple fronts and slowed Russian advances, with reports linking gains to disruptions in Russian drone coordination. Authorities also said a cyber effort helped disable satellite terminals used by Russian troops, though battlefield outcomes remain uncertain.

3️⃣ 🇺🇦 Ex-energy minister detained in laundering probe: Ukraine named former minister German Galushchenko as a suspect after detaining him while attempting to leave the country, with investigators citing about $12 million in linked family accounts. The case stems from an alleged kickback scheme tied to infrastructure projects, though full details of the evidence were not outlined.

4️⃣ 🇷🇺 Explosion hits military site near St Petersburg: A blast caused part of a military police building to collapse in Sertolovo, with local media reporting at least three killed and several injured as authorities opened an investigation. The cause remains unclear and officials warned the structure could collapse further during rescue operations.

5️⃣ 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia buys armed maritime patrol aircraft: Riyadh ordered four C-27J planes configured for anti-ship and surveillance missions, with deliveries to begin in 2029 and equipment removable for transport use. The aircraft will also support search-and-rescue roles, though weapon integration details remain prospective.

6️⃣ 🇧🇪🇺🇸 Belgium summons US ambassador over antisemitism dispute: Belgian officials called in Washington’s envoy after he accused the country of antisemitism and urged intervention in a judicial case involving religious circumcision practices. Authorities rejected the claims as interference in legal matters, with the dispute unresolved.

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