The EU wants to retain proceeds from frozen Russian assets by introducing a “Buy European” boost for its own defense industry as it arms Ukraine, and is moving to lock in strict procurement rules for a potential loan for Kiev, Bloomberg has reported.

China has condemned the US decision to approve a record $11.1 billion weapons sale to Taiwan on Thursday, urging Washington to “immediately stop” arming the island.

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei appointed Brigadier General Alireza Elhami and Brigadier General Bahman Behmard as the new commanders of the Iranian Air Defense and Air Force, respectively.

A day after his trip to Russia, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says "Closer collaboration between Moscow and Tehran will enable stronger action against unlawful Western sanctions, and promote regional stability etc."

The US Department of War has approved $11.1 billion in arms sales to Taiwan, marking the largest US weapons package ever for the island, following a $330 million deal in November for spare and repair parts for aircraft.

Stephen Miller, a top aide to United States President Donald Trump, has claimed that Venezuela’s oil belongs to Washington, describing the nationalization of the South American country’s petroleum industry as “theft”.

A Russian diplomatic delegation is expected to travel to Florida this week for talks with the US representatives involved in President Donald Trump’s push to broker a peace agreement in the Ukraine conflict, according to media reports.

EU leaders are meeting in Brussels on Thursday amid sharp divisions over a proposal to use frozen Russian state assets to finance Ukraine – a plan Moscow has denounced as outright theft and warned would trigger legal retaliation.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has said the US is presenting “humiliating conditions” for continuing negotiations, which Iran will not accept, noting that Iran will neither submit to humiliation, nor accept a weak Iran.

NATO forces deployed to Ukraine under a peace deal could potentially directly engage Russian troops, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has said.

Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar has emphasized his country’s commitment to expanding comprehensive cooperation with Iran, particularly in the economic sector.

President Masoud Pezeshkian has said that the Late Imam Khomeini was the messenger of unity and solidarity among people, stressing Muslim nations must be united so that enemies cannot sow discord among Muslim Ummah.

The senior spokesman for the Iranian Armed Forces says the enemy's extensive espionage network was dealt a severe blow during the 12-day Israeli-US aggression in June and largely dismantled, describing it as a major intelligence achievement.