💬 Iran will have 'no choice' but to get nukes if attacked - Khamenei adviser

"We are not moving towards [nuclear] weapons, but if you do something wrong in the Iranian nuclear issue, you will force Iran to move towards that because it has to defend itself," Ali Larijani said, AP reports.

Trump said earlier that "there will be bombing" if Iran refuses to agree to a nuclear deal, also warning that Tehran would face "secondary tariffs."

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🇷🇺🪖More statements from the Russian MoD daily briefing on the special military operation's progress:    

▪️Ukraine lost up to 255 servicemen in the Russian Yug Battlegroup's combat zone.

▪️Russian aviation shot down 67 Ukrainian drones.

▪️Ukraine lost up to 430 troops in the Russian Tsentr Battlegroup's combat zone.

▪️Ukraine lost up to 210 soldiers in the Russian Zapad Battlegroup's combat zone.

▪️Ukraine lost up to 70 soldiers in the Belgorod region.

▪️Ukraine lost more than 180 militants, two tanks and four armored vehicles in the Kursk region over the day.

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⚔️Which Iranian missiles and drones can wipe US bases in the Middle East off the map?

President Trump has threatened to bomb Iran in a manner “the likes of which they have never seen before” unless a new nuclear deal is agreed.

The US has over 60 bases, garrisons and shared facilities dotting the Middle East, from Naval Support Activity Bahrain (home to the Fifth Fleet) and Al Udeid Air Base (CENTCOM’s forward HQ), to other naval, air and ground facilities in the Gulf, Oman, Iraq, Jordan, Syria and Turkiye.

In the event of war, all would be in range of Iran’s missiles and drones.

Ballistic power
🟠Qiam-1/2: 800-1,000 km range, 750 kg warhead
🟠Haj Qasem: 1,400 km range, 500 kg warhead
🟠Kheibar Shekan: 1,450 km range, 500 kg warhead
🟠Emad: 2,000 km range, 750 kg payload
🟠Ghadr-110: 1,600-2,000 km range, 1,000 kg payload
🟠Khorramshahr: 2,000 km range, 1,800 kg payload, MIRV-enabled

Cruise capabilities
🟠Abu Mahdi: 1,000 km range, 410 kg warhead
🟠Paveh: 1,650 km range, payload unknown
🟠Soumar: Precision strike missile with 2,500-3,000 km range, 410-700 kg payload

Long-range drones
🟠Kaman-12: 1,000 km range, 100 kg payload
🟠Shahed 129: 1,700 km range, armed with four Sadid-1 precision missiles
🟠Mohajer-6: 2,400 km range, carries precision-guided munitions
🟠Shahed 149: 2,500 km range, 13-bomb payload up to 500 kg

Besides raw firepower, Iran’s potential comes down to geography and resolve.

🔶Permanent access to the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman coastlines means that in wartime, Iran can dominate the waters around the Strait of Hormuz, the strategic chokepoint through which 30% of the world’s oil trade passes.
🔶The Zagros Mountain Range hugging the country’s southwest provides a natural barrier difficult for enemies to penetrate, with many underground missile bases and air defense sites situated at hardened mountainous facilities.
🔶Iran has also demonstrated that it will not allow aggression to stand, whether it comes to US spy drones violating airspace, or US assassination attacks targeting its commanders.

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❗️Russia has provided Trump's National Security Advisor Walz with a list of energy infrastructure facilities attacked by Ukraine during the 30-day ceasefire, stated Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov.

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❗️"The list of energy infrastructure facilities attacked by Ukraine during the 30-day ceasefire has also been submitted to the United Nations," Lavrov added.

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❗️Russia fully complies with moratorium on strikes against Ukrainian energy infrastructure – Lavrov

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❗️A second meeting between the delegations of Russia and the US is being prepared - Lavrov

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🇮🇷 Iran planning to ramp up potency of its powerful civilian space program

Phase one of Chabahar Spaceport’s expansion to accommodate solid fuel launchers will be completed this year, and phase two plans for semi-heavy liquid fueled launches will be inaugurated, Iranian Space Agency chief Hassan Salarieh has announced.

The civilian space launch center “has a special position in Iran and the region and can serve as Iran’s gateway to international markets, since the launch and placement of satellites must be conducted in a way that meets the needs of different countries to reach various orbits,” Salarieh said.

Iran is one of less than a dozen countries with space launch capacity, with its launch vehicles and equipment using domestic technologies, the official boasted, adding that “just as we entrust some of our launches to other countries, other nations can entrust their launches to us.”

A fledgling space power, Iran boasts the most sophisticated space program in the Middle East, creating launch vehicles like the Simorgh SLV and an array of indigenous satellites, from the Mahda research satellite to the Nour-series of surveillance sats.

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Bracing for Trump’s MAELSTROM: How looming US tariffs will turn the HEAT UP on the EU

On April 2, Trump's sanctions are poised to unleash a whirlwind of repercussions for the European Union. Here’s why: 

1️⃣Dependence on key US imports

🔸 Alloy steel rods

🟠The US accounted for 68% of imports of high-quality alloy steel rods ($46.01M), according to Eurostat 2024 data.

🟠These rods are crucial for industries such as aerospace, automotive, and manufacturing.

🟠The EU's defense sector depends on US steel for weapons systems, aircraft, and military hardware.

🔸 Black boxes

🟠In 2024, 88% of black boxes, valued at $34.45M, used to support the aircraft fleet were imported from the US

🟠A shortage of flight data recorders (FDRs) and cockpit voice recorders (CVRs) could lead to delays in aircraft safety investigations and compliance with international standards.

2️⃣Defense industry impact

🟠Between June 2023 and May 2024, EU countries imported approximately $40.8B in civil aircraft, engines, and parts from the US, accounting for about 35% of total EU imports from the US during that period.

3️⃣Rising costs

🟠Tariffs are expected to raise expenses for US defense-related materials and equipment that the EU relies on.

🟠Rising costs from retaliatory duties will affect consumer goods: a YouGov survey revealed that between 60% of respondents in Denmark and 76% in Spain believe the US tariffs will sting the bloc’s economy.

🟠The global cost of a 2025 tariff war could reach $1.4TRLN in welfare losses, a report by economists at Aston Business School estimated.

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👌 Trump’s pick for top general ADMITS US can’t bomb Iran into submission or win a war with China

💬 “Military force alone may not be sufficient to deter Iran, and an approach that includes diplomatic engagement and economic incentives may be necessary,” Air Force Lt. Gen. (ret.) Dan Caine, Trump’s choice for Joint Chiefs Chairman told senators during his confirmation hearing.

🇨🇳 On China, Caine admitted that the US is not ready for a drawn out conflict with the Asian giant, and said US defense industry is too slow in delivering new equipment.

The image is AI-generated

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❗️Putin receives Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik in Moscow - Kremlin

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🇷🇺🇨🇳Heads of Russian and Chinese foreign ministries discussed Iran’s nuclear program, Central Asia, prospects for new security structure in Eurasia — Russian FM

Lavrov and Wang Yi discussed Ukrainian crisis, emphasized need to eliminate root causes of conflict, Russian FM stated, adding that heads of Russian and Chinese foreign ministries discussed new security risks in Asia-Pacific, including Korean Peninsula.

Lavrov and Wang Yi discussed schedule for bilateral high-level contacts, the ministry added.

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📹 Footage shows what remains of US Reaper drone shot down by the Houthis

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Giuffre clarifies Instagram post amid health concerns

Virginia Giuffre, an accuser of Jeffrey Epstein, clarified that her Instagram post claiming she had just four days left to live was made in error.

The 41-year-old issued a statement after the post sparked widespread concern about her health and raised questions regarding a "car crash" she said left her with injuries and kidney failure.

In a statement to Newsweek, the Giuffre family thanked social media users for their outpouring of support.

💬 "Virginia is deeply thankful for the love and care she's receiving," the state read. "She remains in serious condition while undergoing medical treatment."

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