According to NASA, asteroid 2022 SR2, one of two asteroids to fly past Earth on Wednesday, will fly much closer to Earth than the average asteroid, at speeds 5 times faster than a hypersonic missile.

Raisi warned that his country can manage without an agreement: “We have managed to neutralize the [American] sanctions in many cases."

Putin claimed the West was trying to "blackmail" Russia with nuclear weapons and warned them that the "wind can turn in their direction."

Hezbollah is designated by the US as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO).

Putin's announcement, made in an early-morning television address, raised fears that some men of fighting age would not be allowed to leave Russia.

Israel's Ambassador to the United Nations Gilad Erdan walked out during the remarks made by Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi.

Moscow’s desire to fight the war on the cheap is illustrated by its unwillingness to commit most of its armed forces.

The cause of the operative's death was not published.