Moscow Signs Military Partnership With Taliban In Full Circle Since CIA's Operation Cyclone

 Via The Cradle

Russia and the Taliban-led government in Afghanistan have reached a military and technical cooperation agreement, Russian news outlet Interfax reported this week. 

The deal was concluded during the International Security Forum held in Moscow. According to the report by Interfax’s correspondent, Taliban Defense Minister Mullah Mohammad Yaqoob held talks with Secretary of Russia's Security Council Sergei Shoigu on the sidelines of the event.

Russian MoD, via X

During the meeting, Yaqoob said that engagement with Russia is important for the Taliban-led administration and that both sides have been expanding their bilateral relations. He added that Afghanistan and Russia share historic ties and that Kabul aims to maintain and strengthen those relations.

Shoigu urged western countries to release Afghanistan’s frozen assets and take responsibility for the country’s reconstruction during the event.

“We are convinced that western countries must unfreeze frozen Afghan assets, fully acknowledge their full responsibility for their 20-year presence in Afghanistan, and assume the entire burden of post-conflict reconstruction of the country,” Shoigu said.

One day later, on Thursday, Russia’s Deputy Defense Minister Vasily Osmakov met with Yaqoob in Moscow to discuss regional security and potential bilateral military cooperation.

According to the ministry, the two sides addressed security issues in Central and South Asia, as well as the outlook for cooperation between their armed forces, including areas of military collaboration.

Russia was the first to recognize the Taliban-led state that assumed control in Afghanistan in 2021. The recognition took place in July 2025. 

US troops launched a hasty and chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan after the Taliban’s 2021 victory and subsequent takeover of the country. 

The US military left behind large amounts of equipment. An internal State Department review from 2023 attributed the chaotic evacuation to poor planning.

We've come a long way since the era of Operation Cyclone...

Since then, the country has remained blocked from accessing around $9 billion in frozen Afghan assets. Washington controls the vast majority of these funds via the New York Federal Reserve Bank. 

https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/moscow-signs-military-partnership-taliban-full-circle-cias-operation-cyclone

AUKUS unveils underwater drone project

 The United States, the UK, and Australia announced plans to jointly develop underwater drone technology designed to protect critical seabed infrastructure and strengthen military capabilities under the AUKUS security partnership.

The project was unveiled by the three countries' defense ministers at the Shangri-La Dialogue security forum in Singapore.

The new uncrewed undersea vehicle program is expected to be operational by next year and will become the first major initiative under AUKUS Pillar Two, which focuses on advanced military technologies. British Defense Secretary John Healey said the United Kingdom would contribute £150 million to the effort, which will support surveillance, reconnaissance, logistics, and the protection of undersea cables and pipelines.

https://breakingthenews.net/Article/AUKUS-unveils-underwater-drone-project/66401694

Iran warns ships over Hormuz transit rules

 Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters warned Saturday that commercial vessels and oil tankers transiting the Strait of Hormuz must use designated shipping lanes and obtain authorization from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy, signaling tighter Iranian oversight of the strategic waterway.

In a statement, the headquarters said all vessels operating in the strait must follow routes approved by Iranian authorities. It warned that any ship failing to comply would risk the security of its passage, and cautioned against foreign military involvement in managing traffic through the corridor.

https://breakingthenews.net/Article/Iran-warns-ships-over-Hormuz-transit-rules/66401788

Russia says drone hit Zaporizhzhia plant turbine hall

 Rosatom chief Alexei Likhachev stated on Saturday that a Ukrainian drone struck a turbine hall building at the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, describing it as the first deliberate attack to damage infrastructure linked to a reactor unit.

According to Likhachev, the drone detonated after hitting the turbine hall of Unit 6. He said the aircraft was guided by a fiber-optic cable, which he argued ruled out the possibility of an accidental strike.

No impact on reactor systems or nuclear safety equipment has been reported so far.

https://breakingthenews.net/Article/Russia-says-drone-hit-Zaporizhzhia-plant-turbine-hall/66401756

China Pledges to Retaliate If EU Imposes Trade Restrictions

 

China warned it would “resolutely” retaliate if the European Union proceeds with new restrictive trade measures, following a May 29 European Commission discussion on China policy.

“Should the EU insist on unilaterally introducing new trade instruments and imposing discriminatory restrictions, China will resolutely take countermeasures and adopt effective measures to safeguard its own interests,” the Ministry of Commerce said in a statement on Saturday.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-05-30/china-pledges-to-retaliate-if-eu-imposes-trade-restrictions

Oman warns of suspected naval mine in Hormuz Strai

 Oman's Maritime Security Center issued a warning after a floating object suspected to be a naval mine was spotted west of the Inshore Traffic Zone in the Strait of Hormuz, within Omani territorial waters.

Authorities urged mariners, fishermen, and commercial vessels to exercise extreme caution while operating in the area.

The agency advised all maritime users to maintain a safe distance from any suspicious objects and to immediately report sightings to the relevant authorities.

https://breakingthenews.net/Article/Oman-warns-of-suspected-naval-mine-in-Hormuz-Strait/66401673

Israel intercepts missiles launched from Lebanon

 The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it identified multiple missiles launched from Lebanese territory, amid continuing conflict with Hezbollah.

According to the military, air defenses intercepted most missiles, with one projectile impacting in the area of Kyrat Shamona in northern Israel. There were no reports of injuries or damage.

Hezbollah stepped up drone and rocket attacks targeting northern Israel, while that country's military conducted bombing raids across Lebanon.

https://breakingthenews.net/Article/Israel-intercepts-missiles-launched-from-Lebanon/66401073