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Russia

February 22, 2026

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A picture taken on November 10, 2019, shows an Iranian flag in Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant, during an official ceremony to kick-start works on a second reactor at the facility.

Russia doubles down on Iran nuclear cooperation as US talks inch forward

Moscow’s energy minister said Russia is currently building equipment for new units at Iran’s Bushehr nuclear plant.

A missile launches from IRIS Sabalan, an Alvand-class frigate of the Iranian Navy, during the Velayat 91 drill in the Gulf of Oman on January 1, 2013. The Velayat 91 drill is a sixday Iranian naval exercise held in late December 2012 and early January 2013 across the Strait of Hormuz, the Sea of Oman, and the northern Indian Ocean to test naval readiness and secure strategic waterways. (Photo by Mohammadali Najib / Middle East Images / AFP via Getty Images)

Russia, China, Iran to hold joint naval drills in Strait of Hormuz: What to know

The drills come as the three countries strengthen their ties amid growing US economic and military pressure on Iran.

Israeli state aircraft Wing of Zion, which flew to Greece from Ben Gurion Airport, is seen at International Airport in Athens on June 13, 2025, in Athens, Greece.

Israeli-Russian journalist removed from Netanyahu’s US flight: What to know

Israeli-Russian journalist Nick Kolyohin was removed from the official Israeli Wing of Zion plane just before its departure for Washington, where Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to meet President Donald Trump.

A Russian military Ilyushin Il-76 strategic airlift aircraft takes off from Qamishli International Airport in northeastern Syria's Hasakah province on January 27, 2026. Russia withdrew troops and equipment on January 27 from the airport in Kurdish-held northeast Syria where its forces were based, as Kurdish forces who once controlled swathes of territory in the country's north and east have withdrawn in the face of military pressure of Syrian army advance while the country's new Islamist authorities seek to

Russian delegation in Syria to preserve military bases: What to know

Russian and Syrian military officials have held a series of reciprocal exchanges and visits in recent weeks, as the Kremlin continues to view Syria as a key military vantage point.

Latest News

Putin meets Iran’s top security official as Trump says Tehran wants deal

Ali Larijani, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, arrives in Beirut, Lebanon, on Sept. 27, 2025, to attend a memorial service for Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.

UAE President meets Putin in Russia to discuss nuclear energy, trade, Iran

MAXIM SHIPENKOV / AFP via Getty Images

Sharaa, Putin meet in Moscow after Russia's abrupt pullout from Syria base

MAXIM SHIPENKOV / AFP via Getty Images

Putin offers $1B in frozen assets for Gaza Board of Peace — will US unfreeze them?

Ramil Sitdikov / AFP via Getty Images

Russia's President Vladimir Putin (L) and Palestinian Authority President Mahmud Abbas (R) arrive for their talks in Moscow on May 10, 2025.

Russia to host PA’s Abbas as Putin mulls joining Trump's Gaza Board of Peace

President Mahmoud Abbas’ visit will coincide with the signing ceremony of the Trump administration's Board of Peace charter on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos on Thursday.

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shibani addresses delegates during a day of dialogue with Syrian civil society on Nov. 15, 2025.

Syria's Shibani talks defense, economic ties with Russia's Putin during Moscow visit

The visit is the second to Russia for Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani and Defense Minister Maj. Gen. Murhaf Abu Qasra, and follows other signs of rapprochement.

KEMAL ASLAN/AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

Turkey rebuffs air-defense criticism after drone shot down near Ankara

The incident near the capital has sparked debate over response and raised questions over Turkey’s defense capabilities.

Ezgi Akin

In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO

Brig. Gen. Alireza Elhami, pictured in this undated image, has been appointed as the commander of Iran’s Air Defense Headquarters.

Iran appoints new air defense, air force chiefs in post-war shakeup

The promotion of Brig. Gen. Alireza Elhami and Brig. Gen. Bahman Behmard follows Iran's efforts to rebuild its air defenses following the war with Israel in June.

TATYANA MAKEYEVA/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Iran’s FM Araghchi in Moscow as biting sanctions drive closer Russia ties

The economic agenda of the meetings in Moscow and Tehran reflected a deliberate effort by both governments to signal momentum in a partnership increasingly shaped by isolation from the West.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

The Soyuz MS-15 rocket carrying three crew members of the International Space Station (ISS) blasts off to the ISS from the launch pad of the Russian-leased Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on Sept. 25, 2019.

Russia to launch 3 Iranian satellites into orbit this month: What to know

The upcoming launch will be the second time Russia’s Soyuz rockets have carried Iranian-made satellites into space.

In this pool photograph distributed by the Russian state agency Sputnik, Russia's President Vladimir Putin and Emirati President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan walk at the Kremlin following their talks in Moscow on August 7, 2025. (Photo by Gavriil Grigorov / POOL / AFP) (Photo by GAVRIIL GRIGOROV/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

UAE, Russia host first joint business forum despite Ukraine war sanctions

Trade between the two countries is projected to exceed $10 billion in 2025.

United Arab Emirates

Russian Sukhoi Su-35S fighter aircrafts, Su-34 military fighter jets and Su-30SM jet fighters fly over downtown Moscow during a military parade on June 24, 2020.

Analysis

Russian leak signals Su-35s for Iran moving to production: What to know

Recently leaked documents suggest 16 fighters are already on Russian assembly lines, with deliveries slated through 2027. For Tehran, it would be the first meaningful fighter upgrade in decades.

Francesco Schiavi

By Francesco Schiavi

In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance

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Saudi Arabia signs first visa-free travel agreement with Russia: What to know

The deal will allow citizens of either country to enter visa-free for 90 days for tourism, business and family visits.

Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi at the Kremlin in Moscow, on May 9, 2025.

Egypt, Russia advance construction at Dabaa nuclear plant: What to know

The Dabaa nuclear plant could help Egypt address its energy woes while boosting cooperation with Russia.

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA - OCTOBER 26: U.S. President Donald Trump holds a bilateral meeting with Brazil's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (not in frame) at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre on October 26, 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Trump is in Malaysia for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit, and will next travel to Japan, en route to South Korea for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

Analysis

Trump pursues Israeli-Syrian security pact with Sharaa, larger US military footprint

Israelis welcome the US effort but fear losing decision-making power and the ability to protect their interests as the US troop presence in the region looks set to further expand.

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

ALEXANDER KAZAKOV/AFP via Getty Images

Russia, Iran to boost ties in ‘all areas’ as Tehran claims nuclear restrictions expired

The cooperation pledges follow the weekend's joint letter from Russia, Iran and China to the UN, disputing the validity of reimposing sanctions on Iran.