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Satellite imagery has revealed new and refurbished tanks, armoud personnel carriers and artillery systems are arriving at several Russian military facilities along the NATO border.
The build-up reportedly started on Saturday of last week, with T-90M tanks, BTR-82A armoured personnel carriers and BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicles arriving at a base in the Kostroma region.
Researchers emphasised the equipment was being sent to storage facilities, not active military units however it comes as NATO prepares additional surveillance assets along the black sea.
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Meanwhile Iran has issued a warning that it will ensure the Strait of Hormuz remains closed until the United States accepts its conditions amid the growing expectation that US Israeli strikes will soon resume.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said that the US was ready to escalate its campaign if ordered by President Donald Trump, doubling down on the demand that Tehran does not obtain a nuclear weapon.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, said “the only appropriate solution is diplomacy and a negotiated solution,” while rejecting US economic sanctions and military threats.
Mr Araghchi added Washington had expressed agreement with Iran’s proposed “Seven-Day Plan”, which envisaged reopening the strait on the sixth day, but wanted additional conditions included.
Read on for more updates.