Free Republic

Russia and Iran will speed up work on a "major new interstate agreement", the Russian foreign ministry said on Tuesday. -snip- Iran is the main backer of Israel's enemy Hamas. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke by phone with Putin on Sunday and voiced "robust disapproval" of Russia's "dangerous" cooperation with Iran. Iranian authorities have said military cooperation with Russia is expanding day by day. Iran said last month it had finalised arrangements for Russia to provide it with Su-35 fighter jets, Mi-28 attack helicopters and Yak-130 pilot training aircraft.

Russia has accused Ukraine of attempting to assassinate Vladimir Putin in a double drone strike on the Kremlin overnight, prompting demands from lawmakers in Moscow for the Kyiv regime 'to be destroyed'. Moscow said it had foiled the attempt and furiously decried the attack as 'a planned terrorist act and an attempt on the life of the President of the Russian Federation.' But Ukraine quickly responded to the accusation - the most dramatic Russia has levelled against Kyiv since invading its neighbour more than 14 months ago - saying it had 'nothing to do' with the alleged attack, casting doubt...