News
The French Interior Ministry reports that violence in France has resulted in 2,397 arrests and injuries to 997 security personnel.
According to Iran's Tasnim News Agency, former Iranian Foreign Minister and current lawmaker Mottaki stated that Trump's defeat is the defeat of American hegemony. If tanker traffic drops to zero in the coming week, oil prices will rise from $110 to $140 per barrel. This will be a nightmare for Trump, with its effects quickly manifesting in Europe and directly impacting the US election results.
According to Fars News Agency, Major General Abdullahhi, Chief of the General Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces and Commander of the Khatham Anbya Central Command, warned the United States and Israel that Iran is prepared for a new round of conflict and will respond more fiercely than ever to any new miscalculation by the US and Israel. Abdullahhi stated that the US and Israel have repeatedly launched wars aimed at overthrowing, dividing, and destroying Iran, but Iran has remained strong and resilient. He claimed that the US president is old and lacks even the strength to stand up. He added that both American society and Israel are aware of the serious weaknesses of the US and Israel, and warned that another miscalculation would provoke a stronger retaliation. He further stated that the resolve and will of the Iranian leadership, people, government officials, and armed forces have been tested many times, and the US and Israel should not repeat past mistakes. Abdullahhi concluded by warning that the next Iranian military strike could come faster, be more destructive, and be more difficult to intercept.
Russian Foreign Ministry: Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will visit Iran on October 19 and will meet with Iranian President Pezechzian during the visit.
French President Macron: There is no justification for violence during the protests.
French President Macron: Those responsible for the vandalism and looting during the protests in France must be held accountable.
French President Macron: The rise in fuel prices is due to the war with Iran.
French President Macron: We must not confuse peaceful protesters with looters and rioters, because some people do feel that fuel prices are too high.
According to the Iranian Students' News Agency (ISNA), Pakistani Army Chief of Staff Asim Munir may visit Tehran this week. The trip is reportedly intended to continue close cooperation between Iran and Pakistan in bilateral affairs and security, and will also address Pakistan's role in the regional situation and negotiations between Iran and the United States.
The Russian Ministry of Defense reported that between 8:00 and 20:00 Moscow time on October 18, Russian air defense systems intercepted and destroyed 41 Ukrainian drones.
According to BNO News: Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney stated that the fire at the Wynnewright Armed Forces Base has claimed the lives of four service members and seriously injured dozens. Carney called it "one of the worst tragedies to be suffered by the military on Canadian soil in peacetime" and declared a national period of mourning.
According to the Iranian news agency IRNA, a spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry said that the Russian Foreign Minister will visit Tehran on Monday.
According to the Financial Times, US Ambassador to the EU, Puzde, warned that Brussels would face "devastating" retaliation if the EU restricts non-EU companies' access to spectrum resources.
According to Al Jazeera, Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov stated that Ukrainian President Zelenskyy does not want to negotiate and has repeatedly sabotaged the talks.
According to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC): Sources say an incident at the Canadian Army's Waynewright base on Saturday resulted in seven deaths.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Bessant: (Responding to Zelensky's remarks about Starlink speed limits) Trump and Rubio have both stated that no one in the Trump administration issued such an order. I believe that Zelensky's accusation is extremely reckless.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Bessenter: European countries are funding Russia's war machine. The U.S. imports $4 billion worth of Russian products, of which $1.8 billion are fertilizers. European countries import more than ten times that amount from the U.S.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Bessenter: (in response to Trump's claim that U.S. intelligence sharing had been interrupted) Zelensky should be more careful when making such false statements.
US Treasury Secretary Bessant: (In response to Trump's waiver of sanctions against Russia) No sanctions have been lifted. There was a 60-day period at the time. Looking at the current situation, the only thing that has been lifted is the diesel embargo.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will visit Tehran on Monday as part of high-level consultations between the two countries.