MOSCOW, June 23 (Reuters) - Russia is considering a diesel export ban, Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said on Tuesday, while a newspaper reported on possible fuel imports to tackle shortages, especially in Crimea, which tightened restrictions on public services and activities.

Russian President Vladimir Putin also made his first comments about Ukraine's recent strikes on civilian infrastructure, including on Moscow's oil refinery, saying they were a ploy to destabilise society.

By Amina Ismail and Inti Landauro

BRUSSELS, June 23 (Reuters) - A delegation from Afghanistan's Taliban met on Tuesday with EU officials in Brussels for the first time, an event rights groups denounced as legitimising the Islamists but the EU has defended as a step to make it easier to repatriate failed asylum seekers.

The EU and its member countries have not recognised the Taliban government since the militant group returned to power five years ago after 20 years of war against a government backed by a U.S.-led NATO force.

June 23 (Reuters) - The U.N. Security Council on Tuesday adopted a resolution aimed at strengthening accountability for attacks on U.N. peacekeepers, amid concern over rising violence and low prosecution rates.

The move follows a series of deadly incidents targeting U.N. personnel, including the killing of seven peacekeepers serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon after a fresh round of fighting broke out between Israel and Hezbollah in early March.

The resolution, drafted by Denmark and Pakistan and co-sponsored by 152 countries, passed unanimously.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, the first stop on a tour of Gulf states aimed at showing solidarity with key allies hit hard by the Middle East war.

The delicate mission comes with Gulf countries having paid a heavy economic price for the US and Israel's decision to go to war with Iran against their wishes, prompting Tehran to lash out at its regional neighbours.

DUBAI, June 23 (Reuters) - Oman and Iran agreed on Tuesday to press on with discussions about the future administration of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, including maritime services in the strategic waterway and the costs associated with them.

In a joint statement issued after talks in Muscat, the two countries said a joint working group involving their foreign ministries would be formed to continue the discussions and that they would consult other littoral states and relevant parties.

By Nazih Osseiran, Laila Bassam and Steven Scheer

BEIRUT/JERUSALEM, June 23 (Reuters) - Israeli gunfire killed two people in southern Lebanon on Tuesday, Lebanon's Civil Defence and health ministry said, prompting Iran-backed Hezbollah to accuse Israel of violating a ceasefire that has largely held since Sunday.

The lull in fighting is the longest yet in the war that was ignited by the U.S.-Iran conflict on March 2, when Hezbollah opened fire at Israel in support of Tehran, prompting Israel's second offensive in the country since 2024.

BEIJING, June 23 (Reuters) - China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Tuesday called on BRICS countries to jointly respond to global challenges from Ebola to AI, and strengthen cooperation on strategic mineral resources, according to a statement from his ministry.

• Wang told a meeting in India that BRICS countries should respond to global energy and food security challenges and unite to respond to the Ebola epidemic in Africa.

WASHINGTON, June 23 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump insisted on Tuesday that Iran has agreed to allow nuclear inspections long into the future, despite statements from Iran that it has not done so.

"Iran has fully and completely agreed to highest level Nuclear inspections long into the future (Infinity!!!)," he wrote in a social media post. "This will insure 'Nuclear Honesty.' If they did not agree to this, there would be no further negotiations!"

By Alexander Cornwell and Steven Scheer

JERUSALEM, June 23 (Reuters) - A former Israeli prime minister acknowledged on Tuesday that Israel had smuggled Starlink internet receivers into Iran to help anti-government protesters, though he said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government failed to follow through on the plans.

By Olivia Le Poidevin

GENEVA, June 23 (Reuters) - Iran's ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva on Tuesday reported good progress in peace talks between the United States and Iran, but denied U.S. claims that Tehran would use assets unfrozen as part of a deal to buy U.S. commodities.

"Our colleagues continue to discuss in very good talks yesterday at the technical level," said Ali Bahreini, adding that two working groups will be established within the coming days to discussthe removal of sanctions against Iran and issues related to Iranian nuclear activities.