Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced his upcoming meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on July 23 in the Philippines during the ongoing ASEAN events. Lavrov confirmed the meeting following his participation in ASEAN meetings and mentioned a brief encounter with Rubio where the meeting was scheduled for the next day. Lavrov emphasized Russia’s commitment to proposals made at the Russian-American summit last August, considering them crucial for resolving the conflict in Ukraine and improving Moscow-Washington relations.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth informed Senators about Russia and China’s assistance to Iran amid renewed attacks on commercial shipping. During a Senate hearing on President Trump’s funding request for the military, Hegseth highlighted the support provided by Moscow and Beijing to Iran. However, the specifics of this assistance were not disclosed, with General Dan Caine also refraining from discussing intelligence publicly to maintain operational security.
Hegseth revealed the continuous US strikes on Iranian targets in response to the renewed attacks on commercial vessels. The disclosure of Russia and China’s involvement in aiding Iran came as US forces intensified military operations around the Strait of Hormuz. The situation underscores the complex dynamics in the region and the ongoing challenges faced by the US in maintaining security and stability in the area.
