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Ukraine, using captured Russian tanks, firms up its lines

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Ukrainian servicemen stand atop a destroyed Russian tank in a retaken area near the border with Russia in Kharkiv region, Ukraine, Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine is now deploying captured Russian tanks to solidify its gains in the northeast amid an ongoing counteroffensive, a Washington-based think tank said Tuesday, as Kyiv vowed to push further into territories occupied by Moscow.

The Institute for the Study of War, citing a Russian claim, said that Ukraine had been using left-behind Russian T-72 tanks as it tries to push into the Russian-occupied region of Luhansk.

“The initial panic of the counteroffensive led Russian troops to abandon higher-quality equipment in working order, rather than the more damaged equipment left behind by Russian forces retreating from Kyiv in April, further indicating the severity of the Russian rout,” the institute said.

Earlier this month, Ukraine launched its counteroffensive, pushing into territory around its second-largest city of Kharkiv. Videos and photos showed Ukrainian troops seizing tanks, ammunition and other weaponry left behind by Moscow in an apparently chaotic withdrawal.

In the counteroffensive’s wake, Ukrainian officials found hundreds of graves near the once-occupied city of Izium. Yevhenii Yenin, a deputy minister in Ukraine’s Internal Affairs Ministry, told a national telecast that officials exhuming the dead there found bodies “with signs of violent death.”

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“There are many of them,” Yenin said. “These are broken ribs and broken heads, men with bound hands, broken jaws and severed genitalia.”

Ukrainian officials also have alleged Russian forces tortured people in occupied areas, including shocking them with radio telephones dating back to the Soviet era. Russia has repeatedly denied abusing or killing prisoners, though Ukrainian officials found mass graves around the city of Bucha after blunting a Russian offensive targeting Kyiv at the start of the war.

Meanwhile, a Ukrainian push continues in the south of the country. The institute, citing the Ukrainian military, said Kyiv had destroyed ammunition depots, two command posts and an electronic warfare system.

Ukraine’s southern military command said early Tuesday its troops sank a Russian barge carrying troops and weapons across the Dnipro River near the Russian-occupied city of Nova Kakhovka. It offered no other details on the sinking of the barge in Ukraine’s Russian-occupied Kherson region, which has been a major target as part of Kyiv’s ongoing counteroffensive in the country.

In other developments:

— The website of a prominent Russian mercenary group apparently was targeted by hackers. The Wagner Group’s website couldn’t be reached Tuesday morning. Late Monday, the IT Army of Ukraine, a group of hackers supporting Kyiv, posted a screenshot apparently showing the website had been replaced with images of dead Russian soldiers.

— Moscow has likely moved its Kilo-class submarines from their station on the Crimean Peninsula to southern Russia over fears about them being struck by long-range Ukrainian fire, the British military said Tuesday. In a daily intelligence briefing, the British Defense Ministry said those submarines had “almost certainly” been moved to Krasnodar Krai in mainland Russia, instead of a naval base at Sevastopol on the Crimean Peninsula.

“This is highly likely due to the recent change in the local security threat level in the face of increased Ukrainian long-range strike capability,” the British said. “In the last two months, the fleet headquarters and its main naval aviation airfield have been attacked.”

AP

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Iran Signals Reluctance for Talks Despite Ceasefire Extension With US

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Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Esmail Baghaei
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Esmail Baghaei

Iran Signals Reluctance for Talks Despite Ceasefire Extension With US

Iran has acknowledged the extension of its ceasefire with the United States but signalled hesitation over participating in further negotiations, raising concerns about the future of diplomatic efforts and the stability of the fragile truce.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced the extension on Tuesday, stating that the move was intended to give Tehran more time to submit a “unified proposal” aimed at ending the conflict. The decision came just before the ceasefire deadline and followed mediation efforts led by Shehbaz Sharif and Asim Munir.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Esmail Baghaei, confirmed the extension but stopped short of committing to renewed talks. He emphasised that diplomacy would only be pursued if it aligns with Iran’s national interests and security priorities.

The cautious stance reflects growing internal divisions within Tehran. Mahdi Mohammadi, an adviser to Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, criticised the extension as “meaningless,” accusing Washington of attempting to dictate terms while delaying potential military action.

Reports from Iranian media suggest that Tehran may decline participation in proposed talks scheduled to take place in Islamabad, although no official withdrawal has been announced. The uncertainty highlights deep mistrust between both sides, particularly over the conditions attached to negotiations.

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Despite the ceasefire, tensions remain high. Recent developments in the Strait of Hormuz, including Iran’s reported seizure of vessels, have reinforced concerns that both countries continue to apply strategic pressure while diplomacy stalls.

On the U.S. side, officials have indicated that discussions remain fluid, with ongoing internal consultations affecting the timeline for negotiations. Washington has also made it clear that the ceasefire is temporary and dependent on measurable progress.

Key issues continue to divide both nations. The United States insists on halting Iran’s nuclear programme, while Tehran demands sanctions relief and an end to economic and maritime restrictions as conditions for meaningful engagement.

Pakistan’s mediation has positioned Islamabad as a potential venue for renewed dialogue, but the latest signals suggest that bridging the gap remains difficult.

While the ceasefire extension has reduced the immediate risk of escalation, analysts warn that without concrete steps toward agreement, the diplomatic window could close quickly, raising the possibility of renewed confrontation.

Iran Signals Reluctance for Talks Despite Ceasefire Extension With US

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Trump Accuses Iran of Ceasefire Breaches as US–Iran Peace Talks Collapse

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US President Donald Trump
US President Donald Trump

Trump Accuses Iran of Ceasefire Breaches as US–Iran Peace Talks Collapse 

US President Donald Trump has accused Iran of repeatedly violating a fragile ceasefire agreement, as efforts to revive stalled US–Iran peace talks face increasing uncertainty amid rising tensions in the Middle East.

The temporary truce, which is expected to expire within days, is reportedly under severe strain after Iranian authorities confirmed that no delegation has yet been sent for renewed negotiations scheduled to take place in Islamabad, Pakistan.

Writing on Truth Social, Trump stated that Iran had violated the ceasefire “numerous times,” though he did not provide specific details or evidence of the alleged breaches. The accusation has further heightened diplomatic tensions between Washington and Tehran at a critical moment in the peace process.

A new round of negotiations had been expected to involve a US delegation led by Vice President JD Vance, following earlier talks in Islamabad that ended without a breakthrough. However, Iranian state media reports suggest that no officials have departed for the meeting, raising doubts over whether the dialogue will proceed as planned.

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The breakdown in talks comes amid escalating geopolitical friction, including disputes over maritime activity and strategic waterways. Tensions around the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil shipping route, have intensified concerns about potential disruptions to global energy supplies.

Both the United States and Iran continue to trade accusations of ceasefire violations. Washington claims Iranian-linked forces targeted vessels in key maritime corridors, while Tehran insists that US naval actions and the reported seizure of an Iranian-linked ship constitute clear breaches of the agreement.

Despite the deadlock, Trump maintained that the United States remains in a strong negotiating position. He stated that Washington is confident it will ultimately secure a favorable agreement, even as diplomatic efforts continue to stall.

However, he also warned that failure to reach a deal could lead to renewed conflict. According to Trump, if the ceasefire expires without extension, “lots of bombs start going off,” signaling the possibility of a sharp escalation in hostilities.

Diplomatic efforts by Pakistan have intensified in recent days, with officials urging both sides to extend the truce and return to negotiations to avoid further escalation. Islamabad has been playing a mediating role in attempts to stabilize the situation and restart dialogue.

Despite these efforts, Iranian officials remain skeptical, accusing the United States of negotiating under pressure while maintaining sanctions and military pressure. A senior Iranian parliamentary official reiterated that Tehran would not engage in talks “under the shadow of threats,” warning that any renewed conflict could escalate rapidly.

Inside Iran, the prolonged crisis has deepened economic pressure and public uncertainty, with reports of worsening conditions despite the temporary ceasefire. Inflation, restricted trade, and instability have contributed to growing frustration among citizens.

At the regional level, the crisis is also affecting broader diplomatic dynamics, with parallel negotiations involving Israel and Lebanon continuing in Washington as part of wider efforts to manage tensions across the Middle East.

For now, the future of the US–Iran ceasefire remains uncertain, with both sides holding firm positions and diplomatic channels struggling to produce progress. Analysts warn that the coming days will be critical in determining whether the truce can be extended—or whether the region risks sliding back into open conflict.

Trump Accuses Iran of Ceasefire Breaches as US–Iran Peace Talks Collapse

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Trump Rules Out Ceasefire Extension With Iran

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US President Donald Trump
US President Donald Trump

Trump Rules Out Ceasefire Extension With Iran

US President Donald Trump has ruled out extending the fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran beyond its current deadline, warning that failure in ongoing negotiations could lead to renewed military confrontation.

Speaking in an interview with CNBC’s Squawk Box, Trump said he was not in favour of prolonging the truce, stressing that both sides must move quickly to reach a binding agreement.

“I don’t want to do that. We don’t have that much time,” he said, indicating that the situation remains time-sensitive as diplomatic talks continue under pressure.

The ceasefire, which is expected to expire on Wednesday evening, has temporarily eased tensions between Washington and Tehran, allowing both sides to regroup following weeks of heightened conflict and military escalation concerns.

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Trump noted that both countries had used the pause to “restock,” describing the truce as fragile and warning that it could collapse if negotiations fail to produce results.

He further suggested that the breakdown of talks could trigger a return to military operations, stating that he “expects bombing” to resume if diplomacy fails. According to him, the U.S. military remains fully prepared for any required action.

“I expect to be bombing because I think that’s a better attitude to go in with,” he said, defending a strong negotiating posture.

The president also reiterated earlier warnings about targeting Iranian infrastructure, including strategic facilities such as transport routes and power installations, arguing that such measures would weaken Iran’s military logistics and operational capacity.

Despite his hardline position, Trump acknowledged that Iran’s population is “incredible,” while describing its leadership as resistant to compromise. He insisted that a negotiated deal could still allow Iran to “become a strong nation again” if it agrees to terms acceptable to Washington.

The comments come as senior U.S. officials prepare for further diplomatic engagements, with Vice President JD Vance expected to participate in upcoming discussions aimed at extending the ceasefire and reducing tensions in the region.

Trump also criticised Iran’s internal handling of unrest, referencing reports of violent crackdowns on protests, which he said further complicate efforts toward lasting peace.

The latest remarks highlight continued uncertainty surrounding the U.S.–Iran ceasefire negotiations, with global observers closely watching whether diplomacy or renewed conflict will define the next phase of relations between both countries.

Trump Rules Out Ceasefire Extension With Iran

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