📰 MIDDLE EAST CRISIS UPDATE — 18:36 CET

17 sources consulted (14 RSS + 3 web search) | Developments in the last 2 hours

Key developments

🔥 Violent protests erupt in Iran: demonstrators set buildings on fire in Tehran (Gholhak and Sa’adat Abad districts), including mosques. Armed clashes in Kermanshah province — at least 10 IRGC members killed by demonstrators
- 🔗 Wikipedia - Iranian protests (EN)
⚔️ Israel launches new wave of strikes against Iranian targets in central Tehran (1 March). IDF claims to have destroyed half of Iran’s missile stockpiles
- 🔗 Asharq Al-Awsat (EN/AR)
- 🔗 Guardian - Visual guide (EN)
🇷🇺 Putin sends official condolences to Iranian president over Khamenei’s “cynical assassination”. But Politico notes: “Putin’s friendship has limits — as Iran has just discovered”. Russia-Iran treaty does NOT provide for mutual military assistance
- 🔗 Moscow Times (EN)
- 🔗 Politico EU (EN)
🇺🇦 Zelenskyy: Russia-Ukraine peace talks will depend on Middle East situation. Iran crisis risks distracting US from Ukraine front
- 🔗 Guardian (EN)
🇮🇷 5th wave “True Promise 4” in Indian Ocean: MSP ship with US munitions hit by 4 drones at Jebel Ali anchorage, fully disabled
- 🔗 Indian Express (EN)

🇷🇺 Moscow Times / Kremlin: Putin speaks of “cynical assassination”, official condolences
- ↔️ 🌍 Politico EU: analysis shows Russia will NOT intervene militarily — bilateral treaty explicitly excludes military assistance. Deputy minister Rudenko: “It is not a military alliance”
🇮🇷 Iranian media (IRIB/Tasnim): emphasise military successes of 6 retaliatory waves, present resistance as effective
- ↔️ 🌍 Wikipedia/Guardian: simultaneously report violent internal protests with demonstrators attacking same IRGC forces. Mixed reactions inside Iran: celebrations AND mourning for Khamenei
🇨🇳 Wang Yi to Lavrov: attacks “unacceptable” during US-Iran talks. Xinhua: “brazen aggression”
- ↔️ 🌍 Western sources: focus on US-Israel strategic opportunity, not on diplomatic breach