Category: World News

China’s leadership will reveal their strategy for the next phase of technological competition with the United States when parliament convenes this week, focusing on transforming recent advances in artificial intelligence, space exploration, and robotics into widespread industrial success.

The National People’s Congress will present the government’s annual work report and budget proposals on Thursday, along with the 15th Five-Year Plan covering 2026-2030. This comprehensive blueprint will establish priorities for industrial development and indicate which sectors will receive substantial government funding and support.

These documents reveal Beijing’s strategic focus areas and signal where generous financial backing will flow. In the previous year’s report, artificial intelligence models were mentioned for the first time, alongside embodied intelligence – the technology driving humanoid robots.

The parliamentary session occurs just weeks before a scheduled meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump from March 31 to April 2, where technology restrictions and supply chain issues are anticipated to be major discussion points.

The timing also coincides with the one-year anniversary of Chinese AI companies capturing worldwide attention through dramatic capability improvements despite strict U.S. limitations on advanced semiconductor access and manufacturing equipment.

DeepSeek, the Chinese startup whose popular AI model release caused a global technology stock decline and changed perceptions about China’s technological competitiveness against America, is anticipated to launch an advanced model in the near future.

“The shock is over,” stated Alfredo Montufar-Helu, a managing director at Ankura Consulting in Beijing. “Now there is an expectation of what China can come up with next.”

Beijing faces the challenge of converting individual technological achievements into comprehensive, large-scale improvements across manufacturing, logistics, and energy sectors.

Shujing He, a senior analyst at advisory firm Plenum China, indicated that policymakers will likely promote “AI-plus manufacturing” by utilizing major state-owned enterprises as primary adopters, bringing startups and specialized suppliers into practical applications.

This approach is expected to transform China’s industrial landscape. Shin Nakamura, president of Japanese manufacturer Daiwa Steel Tube Industries, suggested China’s AI initiative will benefit large, capital-intensive producers capable of handling deployment costs, while smaller companies encounter structural limitations.

“The gap between large enterprises and SMEs in China will widen, and consolidation will accelerate,” he explained.

The five-year strategy is also expected to emphasize embodied intelligence development. China demonstrated its progress in this field last month by featuring Chinese-manufactured humanoid robots performing dance and martial arts on the country’s most popular television program, the annual CCTV Spring Festival celebration.

Significant hardware technology advances support China’s confidence in robotics capabilities.

“Mechatronics — especially balance, motor control and dynamic locomotion — has improved dramatically over the past 12 months,” said Mike Nielsen, an executive at computer vision firm RealSense, which has collaborated extensively with prominent Chinese robotics company Unitree. “China has shown major momentum, with early-stage platforms now demonstrating much higher agility and stability.”

However, Chinese regulators are expressing concern about limited differentiation among more than 150 domestic humanoid robot developers, and analysts predict consolidation will occur more rapidly than in previous strategic sectors like electric vehicles.

Space technology represents another opportunity for Beijing to demonstrate its ability to convert research into industrial capabilities. Private launch company LandSpace announced plans for another recovery attempt this year for its reusable Zhuque-3 rocket, following its achievement as the first Chinese company to complete a full test of an orbital-class reusable launcher in December.

Despite the enthusiasm, China’s emerging industries will not produce enough investment to sustain 5% GDP growth in upcoming years, according to a January report from U.S. research firm Rhodium Group, indicating Beijing will maintain its reliance on exports to support the economy.

This situation means Beijing will prioritize sectors with more immediate commercial potential like autonomous driving, according to Plenum’s He.

Analysts expect the five-year plan will be examined closely for Beijing’s intentions to safeguard the industrial foundations supporting its technology advancement, as supply chains increasingly become tools of geopolitical influence.

Throughout the past year, China has broadened its use of export restrictions to include rare earth materials and basic semiconductors, disrupting global supply chains and highlighting Beijing’s economic influence.

China’s State Council and industry ministry did not respond to requests for comment.

Additional supply chains essential to the global economy remain susceptible to Chinese dependencies, according to Doug Friedman, CEO of U.S. biomanufacturing institute BioMADE.

“What we see happening with rare earths is also happening in the industrial chemicals industry,” Friedman noted.

As Beijing prepares to announce its next five-year industrial strategy, Friedman emphasized the growing significance of the competition.

“Right now, we’re neck and neck,” he said, referring to the U.S. and China. “Whoever doubles down over the next three to five years is going to gain a real lead.”

SYDNEY – The Australian Senate delivered a formal rebuke Monday to controversial politician Pauline Hanson following divisive remarks she made about Muslims during a February television appearance.

The censure motion targeted statements Hanson made on Sky News while discussing potential repatriation of Australian family members connected to Islamic State fighters in Syria. During that interview, Hanson declared: “They hate Westerners, and that’s what it’s all about. You say there’s great Muslims out there, well I’m sorry, how can you tell me there are good Muslims?”

Senate Labor leader Penny Wong introduced the formal condemnation, which described Hanson’s remarks as “inflammatory and divisive comments seeking to vilify Muslim Australians, which do not reflect the opinions of the Australian Senate or the Australian people.”

The measure gained approval with backing from the Greens party and two members of the conservative Liberal party who broke ranks with their colleagues.

Wong explained the significance of the action, stating: “This censure motion is about drawing a line and sending a message to the people of faith in this country and sending a message to children in this country that your leaders believe that condemning an entire religion is not acceptable.”

Hanson dismissed the proceedings as a “stunt” and left the chamber in protest.

The Queensland representative, who heads the anti-immigration One Nation party, first gained national attention during the 1990s through her vocal opposition to Asian immigration and asylum seekers. She has made headlines for wearing a burqa in Parliament on two occasions, including as recently as November, as part of her campaign to prohibit public wearing of the Islamic garment.

Despite the controversy, polling data indicates Hanson’s One Nation party has gained ground against the country’s conservative opposition coalition, capturing 28% of primary voter support as anti-immigration sentiment grows.

Myanmar’s military leader has authorized the release of over 10,000 inmates while reducing sentences for additional prisoners in observance of a national holiday, according to state media reports released Monday.

However, there are no indications that former leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who was removed from power during the 2021 military coup and has remained in isolation since, will be among those freed.

This prisoner release occurs just two weeks prior to parliament’s scheduled reconvening for its initial session in over five years, following a recent election that opposition groups characterized as lacking freedom and fairness.

According to state broadcaster MRTV, Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, who leads Myanmar’s military administration, freed 10,162 inmates on Peasants’ Day, a national celebration dedicated to agricultural workers. Among those released, 7,337 had been sentenced under anti-terrorism legislation.

An additional announcement revealed that 12,487 individuals who faced prosecution under the same law or had gone into hiding will also receive pardons and have their incitement charges dismissed.

This legislation includes possible death sentences and has been extensively employed to detain and convict political dissidents, media personnel, and other critics following the military’s 2021 seizure of power.

The statements also indicated that ten foreign nationals will be freed and expelled from Myanmar.

Holiday-related mass prisoner releases are common practice in Myanmar. While the releases started Monday, the process may continue for several days. Officials have not yet disclosed the names of those being freed.

The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, an independent group that maintains comprehensive records of arrests and deaths related to the country’s political turmoil, reports that over 22,800 political prisoners remained in custody as of last Friday.

Among these detainees is the 80-year-old Suu Kyi, who is currently serving a 27-year prison term following convictions that her supporters describe as politically motivated legal proceedings.

Following Israel’s extensive military campaign in response to Hamas’s devastating October 7, 2023 attack, Tehran has watched its regional influence steadily crumble as Israeli forces systematically targeted Iran’s network of allied militant organizations throughout the Middle East.

This gradual erosion of Iranian power over the last two and a half years created the conditions for this weekend’s catastrophic strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran itself, marking a dramatic transformation in Middle Eastern geopolitics.

“Certainly the Oct. 7 events were a turning point in this long conflict between Iran and Israel,” explained Mehrzad Boroujerdi, who studies Iranian politics at Missouri University of Science and Technology. “I think it provided Israel with the argument or justification to deliver a strong blow.”

The most catastrophic blow occurred over the weekend when President Donald Trump and Israeli leadership coordinated a series of strikes against Iran, resulting in the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and causing extensive damage across the country. However, this current conflict represents the culmination of a prolonged series of events that have significantly diminished Iran’s strength along with Hezbollah and other allied militant organizations, fundamentally altering the region’s political equilibrium.

“It’s a very bloody, a very violent but transformative moment that the Middle East is going through,” observed Renad Mansour, who researches Middle Eastern affairs at Chatham House, a British policy institute. “We don’t know where this will end up.”

Iran’s declining influence stemmed from the Gaza conflict, where Israeli military units pursued Hamas militants following their attack that claimed 1,200 lives and resulted in 251 people being taken hostage on October 7. Israeli operations have subsequently resulted in over 72,000 Palestinian deaths in Gaza, with nearly half being women and children, based on figures from the Health Ministry operating under Hamas governance, which does not differentiate between combatants and non-combatants.

The fighting rapidly spread to encompass additional organizations within Iran’s sponsored network known as the Axis of Resistance.

Lebanon’s Hezbollah, a formidable militant organization, had traditionally served as Iran’s primary defensive force against potential Israeli aggression. The group reportedly possessed approximately 150,000 rockets and missiles, with its deceased leader Hassan Nasrallah previously claiming to command 100,000 combatants.

Following October 7, Hezbollah began launching rockets into Israel to support Hamas, prompting Israeli air attacks and artillery fire that eventually developed into comprehensive warfare during autumn 2024.

Israeli operations severely damaged Hezbollah’s capabilities, eliminating Nasrallah along with other senior commanders and destroying significant portions of the organization’s weaponry, until a U.S.-brokered ceasefire theoretically ended hostilities in November. Israeli forces continue maintaining positions in southern Lebanon while conducting almost daily aerial bombardments.

Hezbollah suffered additional setbacks when rebel forces toppled Syrian President Bashar Assad’s government, eliminating a crucial pathway for Iranian arms shipments.

Iran-backed Houthi fighters in Yemen entered the widening confrontation by launching missiles at Red Sea shipping and Israeli targets, drawing return fire from U.S. naval forces and Israeli military units.

As hostilities expanded, Iranian leadership and their allied groups failed to understand that Israel had rejected the previously maintained tense equilibrium and sought to create fundamental changes, according to Mansour.

Iran faced escalating consequences last June when Israel initiated an unexpected offensive designed to destroy Tehran’s rapidly progressing nuclear capabilities while Iran and the United States were conducting nuclear agreement discussions. The subsequent 12-day conflict included bombing campaigns against Iran’s energy sector and Defense Ministry facilities.

Iran’s weakened allied organizations largely remained uninvolved as their benefactor faced direct assault last year, and they have maintained similar positions in the current fighting.

“It’s very much about survival” for Hezbollah and other Iranian-supported organizations, Mansour noted. He explained that the Axis has gradually become less dependent on direct Iranian commands, with member groups developing greater independence. “And survival to them is based on calculations that aren’t necessarily about Iran’s survival.”

Since Israel and the United States began their coordinated assault on Iran Saturday, Tehran’s regional partners and allied groups have played minimal roles in responding.

Hezbollah appeared to alter this approach early Monday, despite significant pressure from Lebanese authorities to avoid entering the conflict in Iran’s defense due to concerns about another destructive war in Lebanon.

Hezbollah released statements denouncing the U.S.-Israeli operations against Iran and expressing grief over Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s death, then suggested possible involvement. Early Monday morning, the organization fired missiles across the border, prompting immediate Israeli retaliation against Beirut’s southern districts. This marked Hezbollah’s first claimed attack against Israel in over twelve months.

Hezbollah announced in their statement that these strikes were conducted as retaliation for Khamenei’s killing and in response to “repeated Israeli aggressions.”

The potential reactions of other allied groups to Khamenei’s death remain uncertain. Charles Lister, a senior analyst at the Middle East Institute, suggested that Israel’s actions since 2023 might make such organizations more cautious.

“Previous bouts of conflict since Oct. 7 appear to have underlined the existential risk associated with making yourself a target,” Lister stated in an email response to Associated Press inquiries.

In Iraq, a coalition of Iranian-backed militias identifying as the Islamic Resistance in Iraq has taken responsibility for multiple drone attacks against U.S. installations in Irbil, the capital of the semi-independent Kurdish region in northern Iraq. The full extent of damage from these operations remains unclear. However, the Kurdish area has experienced widespread electrical outages after a major gas facility supplying much of the region’s power ceased operations due to security considerations.

Two sources from different Iranian-allied Iraqi militias informed the AP that Iranian representatives met with allied Iraqi organizations two months ago to develop response plans if Iran came under attack, including assigning specific responsibilities to various Iraqi armed factions.

These sources requested anonymity as they lacked authorization for public statements. One source indicated the planned response would focus on U.S. personnel and assets in Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdish region and in nearby Jordan.

Many people incorrectly assume that Iran simply commands its allied militant organizations and they automatically comply, Boroujerdi explained. However, the independent choices these groups have made to avoid the current conflict demonstrate the overall deterioration of Iran’s network.

“The dominoes started to fall with the October 7 events,” Boroujerdi stated. “Just take note of everything that has changed since then in terms of the balance of power.”

Regional conflict expanded dramatically Monday as Tehran launched missile strikes against Israel and Arab nations, while Iranian-supported militias including Hezbollah escalated their involvement in the widening Middle Eastern warfare.

Following continued American and Israeli airstrikes on Iranian territory, senior Iranian security official Ali Larijani declared on social media platform X: “We will not negotiate with the United States.”

Former President Trump, who recently encouraged Iranian citizens to “take over” their government, indicated Sunday his willingness to engage in talks with Iran’s emerging leadership.

Iran’s foreign minister hinted that military forces may be operating without centralized government oversight when questioned about strikes on Gulf Arab countries that previously served as diplomatic intermediaries for Tehran.

Iranian officials report over 200 fatalities since the beginning of strikes that resulted in the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other high-ranking officials.

The United Arab Emirates announced the closure of its primary stock exchanges as regional warfare intensifies. The Capital Market Authority confirmed that both the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange and Dubai Financial Market would remain shuttered Monday and Tuesday.

Officials stated they will continue monitoring regional developments and implement additional measures as needed. The Nasdaq Dubai exchange similarly suspended operations for both days.

Dubai serves as the Gulf’s primary commercial center, while Abu Dhabi functions as a crucial regional financial hub housing some of the world’s largest sovereign wealth funds. Saudi Arabia’s benchmark index, the region’s biggest stock market, dropped 2.2 percent Sunday.

As Kuwait experienced continued attacks, U.S. officials issued emergency advisories for American citizens to seek shelter and stay indoors. The warning stated: “Do not come to the Embassy,” without providing additional details.

Lebanon’s Health Ministry reported Monday that Israeli airstrikes following Hezbollah’s attack resulted in at least 31 deaths. The ministry indicated the strikes also injured 149 people, with approximately two-thirds of casualties occurring in southern Lebanon.

Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides confirmed that a Shaheed-type drone caused “minor material damage” to military facilities at the U.K.’s RAF Akrotiri base on the island’s southern coastline. The president said the drone impact occurred shortly after midnight Monday.

Christodoulides announced all relevant agencies have been placed on high alert and called a national security council meeting to assess the situation. “I want to be clear: our homeland is not participating in any way, nor is its intention to take part in any military operation,” he stated during a national address.

He emphasized Cyprus remains committed to its humanitarian mission in the region and seeks to be “part of the solution and not the problem,” prioritizing citizen safety and national security.

Overnight strikes were documented throughout Iran, while explosions echoed through Dubai Monday. Bahrain’s Interior Ministry activated sirens nationwide, urging residents to “head to the nearest safe place.”

Kuwaiti authorities reported debris struck the Ahmadi oil refinery, causing minor injuries to two workers. The state-run KUNA news agency earlier confirmed that Kuwait’s forces successfully intercepted a drone attack early Monday.

Ali Larijani’s refusal to negotiate with the United States came in response to reporting by Qatar’s Al Jazeera news network, as American and Israeli bombing campaigns continue targeting Iran.

Tehran and its allied militias have intensified their attacks following Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s death.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine are scheduled to conduct a Monday morning press conference regarding military operations against Iran. The Pentagon announced the 8 a.m. EST briefing Sunday evening on social media.

Tuesday will see Hegseth and Caine joining Secretary of State Marco Rubio and CIA Director John Ratcliffe in briefing the complete Congressional membership on the strikes, according to White House announcements. Rubio was also scheduled to brief Hill leadership Monday.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun condemned Hezbollah’s rocket launches from Lebanon, stating they “target all the efforts and endeavors exerted by the Lebanese state to keep Lebanon away from the dangerous military confrontations taking place in the region.”

While condemning Israeli strikes on Lebanon, Aoun warned that “persisting in using Lebanon once again as a platform for proxy wars in which we have no involvement will expose our country to risks once more.”

Cyprus government spokesperson Constantinos Letymbiotis confirmed an “incident” at the British air base involved an “unmanned drone which caused limited damage.” He said the RAF Akrotiri incident occurred shortly after midnight Monday, with “information received through various channels” indicating a drone strike.

Letymbiotis did not specify the drone type, launch location, or damage extent. He confirmed Cypriot authorities activated security protocols and are monitoring developments in coordination with the U.K. and its two Cypriot military installations.

The suspected drone attack followed British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s commitment to assist the U.S. in the conflict against Iran.

Kuwaiti defense forces successfully shot down multiple hostile drones on Monday, as Iran continued its third consecutive day of retaliatory attacks targeting Gulf region neighbors following weekend strikes by the United States and Israel.

According to the state news agency, Kuwait’s air defense systems intercepted most of the threatening drones near the Rumaithiya and Salwa neighborhoods, with the civil defense director-general confirming no casualties resulted from the incident.

Residents in Kuwait reported hearing loud explosions and warning sirens earlier in the day, according to witness accounts.

Iranian officials announced plans to strike American military installations throughout the region after the U.S. and Israel conducted attacks against Iran over the weekend.

The expanding conflict has also impacted civilian and commercial districts across multiple Gulf cities, creating broader disruptions to important regional aviation routes and trade centers.

Defense Department officials disclosed during private congressional briefings Sunday that intelligence showed no evidence Iran intended to launch initial attacks against American military personnel, according to two sources with knowledge of the discussions.

The weekend briefings appear to contradict justifications previously offered by the Trump administration for launching extensive military operations against Iran on Saturday. These strikes, conducted alongside Israeli forces, have targeted over 1,000 locations and resulted in the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and the destruction of Iranian naval vessels.

Administration representatives had told media outlets Friday that President Trump authorized the military action partly due to intelligence suggesting Iranian forces might conduct strikes against US personnel in the Middle East region.

One official stated Trump refused to “sit back and allow American forces in the region to absorb attacks.”

The Pentagon conducted briefings lasting more than 90 minutes with both Democratic and Republican committee staff from the Senate and House of Representatives, according to White House spokesperson Dylan Johnson.

During these sessions, defense officials stressed that Iran’s ballistic missile capabilities and regional proxy networks created immediate dangers to American interests, though they confirmed no intelligence existed showing Tehran would initiate hostilities against US forces, the anonymous sources revealed.

Trump has stated the ongoing military campaign, expected to continue for several weeks, seeks to prevent Iranian nuclear weapons development, limit their missile programs, and remove threats facing America and allied nations. The president has also called for Iranian citizens to overthrow their government.

Democratic lawmakers have criticized what they characterize as an unnecessary conflict, questioning Trump’s decision to abandon diplomatic negotiations that Oman, serving as mediator, indicated still showed potential for success.

The president has claimed, without providing supporting evidence, that Iran was close to developing intercontinental ballistic missile capabilities to strike American territory. Intelligence sources have told reporters this assertion lacks backing from official assessments and appears overstated.

These questions about military justification emerge as the Pentagon announced the conflict’s first American casualties Sunday.

US Central Command reported three service members killed and five seriously injured, with additional personnel suffering minor shrapnel wounds and concussions.

American aircraft and naval vessels have hit more than 1,000 Iranian targets since major combat operations began, military officials confirmed. The strikes included B-2 stealth bomber missions using 2,000-pound bombs against fortified underground missile installations.

A Sunday Reuters/Ipsos survey found 27% of Americans support the military strikes, while 43% oppose them and 29% remain undecided.

PARIS (AP) — President Emmanuel Macron delivered a major address Monday outlining France’s nuclear defense strategy, speaking as European nations grow increasingly worried about potential American withdrawal from regional security and escalating Russian aggression.

As the only nuclear-armed member of the European Union, France operates under a defensive deterrence strategy designed to protect the nation’s “vital interests.” Macron has consistently argued these “vital interests” extend beyond France’s borders to include a “European dimension.”

Though France participates in NATO, the country maintains complete control over its nuclear arsenal while supporting the alliance’s overall deterrence strategy. France’s constitution grants the president exclusive authority as military commander-in-chief to authorize nuclear weapon deployment.

An examination of France’s nuclear capabilities reveals the scope of its strategic power:

The aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle stands as Europe’s sole surface vessel equipped to deploy nuclear weapons through Rafale fighter aircraft launched via catapult systems.

This naval flagship has recently conducted operations in North Atlantic and Baltic waters, including a recent port call in Malmo, Sweden.

Due to extensive maintenance periods required for the carrier, France lacks continuous sea-based nuclear air capabilities.

In December, Macron announced plans for constructing a replacement nuclear-powered aircraft carrier to succeed the Charles de Gaulle by 2038.

France operates four nuclear submarines: Le Triomphant, Le Téméraire, Le Vigilant and Le Terrible. These vessels operate from the highly classified Ile Longue facility on France’s Atlantic coastline.

Each 453-foot submarine requires approximately 110 crew members and can deploy 16 M51 intercontinental ballistic missiles equipped with multiple nuclear warheads.

France has maintained continuous submarine patrols since 1972, guaranteeing the nation’s permanent nuclear strike capability.

The ASMPA air-launched cruise missile system — an enhanced medium-range air-to-surface weapon — can strike targets approximately 310 miles away.

Deployed by Rafale fighters, this weapon serves as an ultimate warning before potential escalation to full-scale nuclear warfare.

The Strategic Air Forces, established in 1964 and stationed at three French locations, operates these missiles, which can also launch from Charles de Gaulle-based aircraft.

The M51 submarine-launched ballistic missile can reach targets between 5,000 and 6,200 miles away, though exact specifications remain classified.

An enhanced M51 version became operational in October, featuring improved targeting precision and better defense-penetration capabilities, according to France’s Defense Ministry. Each missile carries multiple independently targeted nuclear warheads.

Research organizations including the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute and Federation of American Scientists estimate France possesses 290 nuclear warheads. The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists reports over 80% of French warheads are submarine-deployed.

This arsenal positions France as the world’s fourth-largest nuclear power, following Russia with over 4,300 warheads, the United States with approximately 3,700, and China with about 600. Britain, no longer an EU member but NATO ally, maintains roughly 225 warheads according to SIPRI and FAS estimates.

These five countries hold recognized nuclear-weapon status under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

India, Pakistan and North Korea have publicly acknowledged nuclear weapons programs. Israel is widely suspected of possessing nuclear capabilities but has never officially confirmed this.

Nations closely guard precise warhead inventory numbers as state secrets.

Iran maintains its nuclear program serves only peaceful purposes, though the country has recently enriched uranium to 60% purity — approaching the 90% weapons-grade threshold.

UN nuclear monitors reported Friday they cannot confirm whether Iran has halted uranium enrichment activities, according to an Associated Press report preceding major U.S. and Israeli military action against Iran.

BUENOS AIRES — In a confrontational address to Argentina’s Congress on Sunday, libertarian President Javier Milei celebrated his administration’s accomplishments while launching verbal attacks against opposition legislators and expressing admiration for his connection with U.S. President Donald Trump.

During the hour-and-a-half presentation, Milei engaged in heated exchanges with opposition members of parliament, branding them as “thieves,” “murderers” and “ignorant” while showcasing what he characterized as his administration’s major successes during his first year in office.

The congressional address came following a string of policy wins for Milei’s government, encompassing workplace reform legislation, modifications to juvenile criminal accountability laws, the Mercosur-European Union commercial pact, and preliminary passage of environmental protection measures for glaciers.

“This has been one of the most productive extraordinary sessions in our history, fulfilling all the campaign promises made in 2025,” Milei said.

Key themes in Milei’s remarks centered on Argentina’s capacity to export natural resources and energy supplies, along with the nation’s advantageous geographic position. He stressed the importance of staying aligned with Washington, pointing to successful financial assistance from the U.S. government in the previous year and referencing his “special relationship” with Trump, whom he called a “key ally.”

Milei added that “we have to create the century of the Americas. Make America Great Again.”

The Argentine leader also contended that his country holds essential minerals sought by Western nations and highlighted the nation’s strategic positioning between two oceans and near Antarctica. “We are a natural link in the West’s strategic value chain,” he asserted.

Throughout his remarks, Milei engaged in heated confrontations with opposition representatives, branding them as dishonest and corrupt, while also targeting former leftist leader Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, who remains incarcerated on corruption-related charges.

Last Friday marked a significant legislative triumph for Milei when lawmakers approved his workplace reform package that will dramatically reshape Argentina’s employment landscape, despite strong resistance from left-leaning political groups and the nation’s primary labor organization.

Political analyst Juan Negri from Torcuato Di Tella University’s Political Science department told The Associated Press that Milei now holds considerably more legislative influence.

“We find him with significant support and, through his allies, with a parliamentary majority that seemed unprecedented in 2023,” he said.

When Milei took office in 2023, he faced an opposition that vowed to block the free-market reforms championed by his La Libertad Avanza party, which ranked as merely the third-largest congressional faction in both legislative chambers. During his early presidential months, Milei experienced intense conflicts with lawmakers, whom he denounced as a “rat’s nest” for blocking his policy agenda.

Following the 2025 legislative contests, La Libertad Avanza partnered with the conservative Republican Proposal (PRO) party to become the dominant force in both congressional houses, securing the one-third threshold necessary to sustain presidential vetoes.

The administration has also solidified backing from previously hesitant or critical allies, including certain PRO members “who are now perfectly aligned with the ruling party,” according to Gustavo Marangoni, a Buenos Aires political analyst and head of the M & R Asociados consulting group.

Marangoni noted that Milei has also gained support from numerous provincial leaders who, despite their varied political backgrounds, have recognized the benefits of working cooperatively with the federal government.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Military operations across the Middle East intensified Monday as Iranian-backed forces launched missile attacks against Israeli and Arab targets, while American and Israeli aircraft continued devastating strikes against Iranian positions amid escalating threats and warnings of additional U.S. military losses.

During the ongoing American and Israeli bombing campaign, senior Iranian security official Ali Larijani declared defiantly on X that “we will not negotiate with the United States.”

Iraqi pro-Iranian militia forces took credit for a drone assault on American personnel stationed at Baghdad’s airport, following their previous day’s attack on a U.S. installation in northern Irbil, while Cyprus reported that attackers targeted a British military facility on the island nation.

Combined Israeli and American forces struck Iranian missile installations and naval assets, reporting the destruction of the Iranian navy’s command center and numerous vessels. Iranian officials report more than 200 fatalities since the bombardment began.

During continued attacks, Hezbollah announced it launched rockets from Lebanese territory into Israel early Monday, citing retaliation for Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s death and “repeated Israeli aggressions,” marking the militant organization’s first claimed strike in over twelve months. Israeli forces reported intercepting one projectile while others landed in uninhabited areas, with no casualties or property damage reported.

Israeli forces responded with strikes against Beirut, warning residents in approximately 50 eastern and southern Lebanese communities to evacuate before potential additional attacks, prompting mass civilian displacement.

Iranian forces have maintained missile bombardments against Israeli and Arab territories in a retaliatory campaign following Saturday’s joint American-Israeli operation that eliminated Khamenei and numerous senior Iranian officials.

Persian Gulf nations have threatened potential retaliation against Iran following strikes that damaged critical infrastructure and killed at least five non-combatants, while U.S. President Donald Trump pledged Washington would “avenge” three American service members killed in Kuwait.

“Sadly, there will likely be more before it ends,” Trump said. “That’s the way it is.”

Trump has encouraged Iranians to “take over” their government and, despite indicating openness to discussions with new Iranian leadership after Khamenei’s death, suggested Sunday that military action would continue indefinitely.

“Combat operations continue at this time in full-force, and they will continue until all of our objectives are achieved,” he said in a video message. “We have very strong objectives,” he added, without elaborating.

Military officials confirmed that B-2 stealth aircraft attacked Iranian ballistic missile complexes using 2,000-pound ordnance. Trump announced via social media that nine Iranian naval vessels were destroyed and the Iranian navy’s command structure was “largely destroyed.”

Indicating potential broader international involvement, Britain, France and Germany announced readiness to collaborate with American efforts to halt Iranian attacks, while Gulf Arab nations declared they maintained the option to respond to Iranian strikes.

Saturday’s attacks marked the second coordinated American-Israeli military action against Iran within eight months. During June’s 12-day conflict, Israeli and American forces significantly degraded Iran’s air defense systems, military command structure and nuclear capabilities. However, Khamenei’s death, ending his three-decade rule, creates an authority gap that heightens regional instability risks.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has transformed into one of Iran’s most influential military organizations since emerging from the 1979 revolution, operating independently from regular military forces while controlling the nation’s missile capabilities and international operations.

This elite force has gained renewed attention as regional tensions escalate following recent military exchanges between Israel and Iran that resulted in the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during coordinated airstrikes.

The organization originated during Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution with the mission of safeguarding the newly established Shiite clerical government. It developed alongside Iran’s conventional military during the devastating Iran-Iraq conflict of the 1980s, eventually gaining constitutional recognition.

Following the war’s conclusion, Supreme Leader Khamenei authorized the Guard’s expansion into commercial ventures, preventing its dissolution and enabling significant growth. Today, the organization operates Khatam al-Anbia, a major construction enterprise, along with companies managing infrastructure projects, port operations, telecommunications systems, and medical services including laser vision correction.

The Guard’s specialized international wing, known as the Quds Force, played a central role in establishing Iran’s self-described ‘Axis of Resistance’ targeting Israel and the United States. This network supported Syria’s former leader Bashar Assad, Lebanon’s Hezbollah movement, Yemen’s Houthi fighters, and various regional allies, gaining strength after the 2003 U.S.-led Iraq invasion.

American officials report that Guard operatives trained Iraqi insurgents in manufacturing sophisticated explosive devices used against coalition forces. Intelligence suggests the Quds Force and Iranian spy agencies recruited criminal organizations to target dissidents and perceived enemies internationally.

During the current Israel-Hamas conflict, Israeli authorities have detained citizens allegedly receiving Iranian instructions for surveillance and sabotage activities. Iran has rejected involvement in these alleged operations. The Guard also reportedly maintains extensive smuggling networks throughout the Middle East.

The organization operates independent intelligence services responsible for arresting and prosecuting dual citizens and individuals with Western connections on espionage charges through secret proceedings. International observers have criticized Iran for using these detainees as negotiating leverage, particularly regarding nuclear discussions.

The carefully constructed ‘Axis of Resistance’ faces unprecedented challenges following Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack on Israel that sparked the Gaza war. While Iran supports Hamas, Israel has systematically targeted Iranian-backed organizations, severely weakening Hezbollah and repeatedly striking Houthi positions in Yemen.

Syria’s government collapsed in December 2024, eliminating a crucial Iranian ally and Guard partner. Direct missile exchanges between Israel and Iran have occurred under Guard oversight.

Israeli forces launched extensive airstrikes against Iran in June, killing senior Guard commanders on the first day and disrupting organizational structure. These attacks eliminated ballistic missile facilities and Guard-operated air defense installations.

Domestically, Iran’s theocratic government relies heavily on the Basij, the Guard’s volunteer militia, to suppress civil unrest. Protest footage from December 28 demonstrations shows Basij forces carrying firearms, clubs, and pellet weapons while beating demonstrators and pursuing them through city streets. A prominent Basij leader appeared on state television warning parents to keep children indoors while calling for force deployment against protesters.

The European Union designated the Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist organization in January, citing Iran’s violent suppression of domestic protests.

Iran’s foreign minister recently suggested military units operate independently from central government oversight when questioned about attacks on Gulf Arab nations that previously served as Iranian intermediaries. Strikes have targeted Oman, which facilitated recent nuclear negotiations with the United States, and Qatar, which has mediated with Tehran and shares a major natural gas field with Iran.

‘What happened in Oman was not our choice. We have already told our, you know, army, armed forces to be careful about the targets that they choose,’ Abbas Araghchi told Al Jazeera on March 1. ‘As a matter of fact, our, you know, military units are now in fact independent and somehow isolated and they are acting based on instructions — you know, general instructions — given to them in advance.’

While militaries worldwide develop contingency plans for wartime scenarios, including government disruption, Iran presents unique concerns given the Guard’s control over extensive ballistic missile arsenals and drone stockpiles.

Araghchi’s statements may serve to justify recent attacks while attempting to reduce tensions with Gulf Arab neighbors, who have expressed increasing frustration over continued strikes despite recent diplomatic efforts.

During his congressional address on Sunday, Argentina’s libertarian President Javier Milei outlined his administration’s commitment to comprehensive tax reform, emphasizing the need for reduced tax burdens across the nation.

Speaking to lawmakers in Buenos Aires, Milei articulated his economic philosophy regarding taxation and government revenue. “We need lower taxes because the tax system must serve growth, not the revenue needs of whoever is in office,” the president declared during his remarks.

Beyond fiscal policy, Milei announced his government’s intention to pursue broader institutional changes, including modifications to Argentina’s electoral framework and updates to the nation’s criminal justice code. He indicated these additional reforms would be priorities for his administration heading into 2026.

The president’s address comes on the heels of a significant legislative win for his government. Just days earlier, Argentina’s Congress passed controversial workplace legislation that opponents argue will make employee terminations easier for businesses to execute. This victory followed Milei’s strong performance in the country’s October midterm electoral contests.

Israeli forces conducted fresh airstrikes against Hezbollah positions in Lebanon on Monday, broadening a Middle East military campaign that President Donald Trump indicated could persist for several weeks.

The strikes targeted locations linked to the Iranian-backed Shi’ite militia group following Hezbollah’s admission that it fired missiles and drones at Israeli territory in response to the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Israeli defense forces reported successfully intercepting one projectile from Lebanon while additional munitions struck uninhabited regions within Israeli borders.

More than a dozen explosions shook Beirut on Monday as Israeli warplanes targeted Hezbollah-controlled areas in the capital’s southern districts. Israeli military officials confirmed they also hit high-ranking Hezbollah operatives in the vicinity of Beirut.

Residents evacuated Beirut on foot and in vehicles, creating massive traffic jams, after the bombing campaign commenced at approximately 2:40 a.m. local time.

The current violence breaks a U.S.-mediated ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon established in 2024 following over a year of combat that significantly damaged Hezbollah’s capabilities.

These retaliatory strikes between Hezbollah and Israel have expanded the regional crisis that erupted when American and Israeli forces attacked Iran on Saturday, causing oil prices to spike and disrupting international air travel.

Lebanon’s government reported receiving assurances from the U.S. ambassador on Saturday that Israel would not intensify operations against Lebanon provided no aggressive actions originated from Lebanese territory.

Israeli military commanders declared Hezbollah “fully responsible for any escalation” while issuing evacuation orders to residents of numerous villages throughout southern and eastern Lebanon.

Late Sunday, Israeli military officials announced their air force had achieved air superiority over Tehran, conducting widespread strikes across the Iranian capital that targeted intelligence facilities, security installations, and military command headquarters.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian announced that a temporary leadership council consisting of himself, the judiciary chief, and a Guardian Council representative had assumed Supreme Leader responsibilities.

Air raid warnings echoed throughout Israel late Sunday, including Tel Aviv where residents witnessed projectiles crossing the nighttime sky as Iran launched additional missile volleys.

The campaign’s first American fatalities were confirmed Sunday, with three service members killed. Two U.S. officials, requesting anonymity, informed Reuters the personnel died at a Kuwaiti military installation.

Trump honored the fallen soldiers as “true American patriots” while cautioning that additional casualties were likely. “That’s the way it is,” he stated.

A prolonged military operation could create significant political challenges for Trump’s Republican party before upcoming U.S. midterm elections that may determine Congressional control. Approximately one in four Americans support the operation, according to a Sunday Reuters/Ipsos survey.

In a Sunday video message, Trump pledged continued military action against Iran until “all our objectives are achieved” without specifying details. He claimed the offensive had eliminated Iran’s military leadership and destroyed nine Iranian naval vessels plus a naval facility.

U.S. military sources reported American aircraft and naval vessels had attacked over 1,000 Iranian targets since major combat operations began Saturday.

Trump addressed Iran’s military and police forces, including the influential Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, urging them to cease fighting while offering immunity for surrendering personnel and threatening “certain death” for those continuing resistance. He repeated appeals for Iranian citizens to overthrow their government.

“I call upon all Iranian patriots who yearn for freedom to seize this moment, to be brave, be bold, be heroic and take back your country,” Trump declared in his recorded message. “America is with you.”

During interviews with various media organizations, Trump suggested the Iranian military campaign might continue for at least four weeks. White House representatives announced top administration officials would brief complete Senate and House memberships on Tuesday.

Following Khamenei’s death, Iran confronts a leadership crisis that could result in internal chaos, though the Trump administration has not revealed long-term objectives for the nation.

Breaking from his typical routine at his Mar-a-Lago Florida residence, Trump avoided speaking with traveling reporters. No administration representatives participated in Sunday political television programs.

The Trump administration seeks to prevent conflicting messages while officials continue internal policy discussions, according to a source familiar with the deliberations.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards claimed Sunday they had struck three American and British oil tankers in the Gulf and Strait of Hormuz while attacking Kuwaiti and Bahraini military bases with drones and missiles. Maritime data showed hundreds of vessels, including oil and gas tankers, anchoring in nearby waters as traders anticipated sharp crude oil price increases Monday.

International air travel faced severe disruptions as ongoing airstrikes forced major Middle Eastern airports to close, including Dubai — the world’s busiest international aviation hub — creating one of the largest aviation interruptions in recent years.

Oman’s foreign ministry reported Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi had suggested Tehran remained open to reducing tensions. However, Araqchi’s social media posts indicated Iran’s readiness to continue fighting.

Long-term possibilities for Iran to reconstruct its leadership and replace 86-year-old Khamenei, who had governed since Islamic Republic founder Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini’s 1989 death, remained uncertain.

Analysts suggested that while his death and other Iranian leaders’ deaths would severely impact Iran, it would not necessarily end Iran’s established clerical government or the elite Revolutionary Guards’ population control.

Nevertheless, predicting Iranian public response to these changes was premature. New Iranian social media analysis from Redpoint Advisors, a global intelligence company, indicates citizens are already considering Khamenei’s potential replacement.

In Nepal’s eastern region, crowds gather wherever Balendra Shah appears, eager for photos with the musician-turned-politician who has captured the nation’s attention.

Shah, widely known by his stage name Balen, has emerged as a leading figure in Nepal’s political landscape, representing the centrist Rastriya Swatantra Party in a crucial March 5 election. The contest could dramatically alter the political dynamics of the mountainous country situated between China and India.

“I am here to see Balen, even though I have a fever,” declared a seven-year-old girl during her first encounter with the prime ministerial hopeful.

Standing nearby, a middle-aged woman revealed she had abandoned her cardiac appointment halfway through just to capture a photograph with Shah, the former Kathmandu mayor who entered national politics last September following unprecedented youth-driven demonstrations across the country.

Those protests, led by Generation Z activists frustrated with widespread government corruption and joblessness, resulted in 77 fatalities and ultimately forced Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli from office.

Now Shah is directly confronting the veteran politician in Oli’s stronghold – the Jhapa district where the 74-year-old has secured victory six consecutive times throughout his extensive political journey.

Should Shah and his party succeed, it would fundamentally transform Himalayan politics, which has long suffered from instability caused by the same established parties controlled by Oli and his contemporaries.

Political observers note widespread public frustration with traditional parties that have repeatedly held power but consistently failed to deliver meaningful results throughout Nepal.

The established political landscape includes Oli’s Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist or UML), the Nepali Communist Party formed by former Maoist insurgents, and the moderate Nepali Congress – all of whom have alternated control for decades.

However, these organizations maintain pockets of support, particularly in mountainous regions like Kavrepalanchok, where 38-year-old voter Raju Rasaili observes the persistent political divisions.

“In my village, there are loyal supporters of both the Maoists and the CPN-UML. I don’t think people easily let go of that kind of political loyalty,” he explained.

Back in Damak town within Jhapa district, Bipana Oli – who shares no family connection with the former prime minister – returned from her job in Kuwait specifically to participate in Thursday’s voting.

“How long I continue working in Kuwait as a migrant worker will depend on Balen’s victory, and the policies and job opportunities he creates,” stated the 25-year-old.

Supporters swarm around Shah, each receiving approximately ten seconds with the candidate, who maintains his signature look of dark blazer and sunglasses.

Most visitors seek only photographs. Others manage brief handshakes or quick conversations until Shah’s official photographer intervenes with firm instructions: “Step aside, next in line.”

After resigning from his mayoral position and joining the RSP in January, Shah has conducted an intensive campaign across Nepal, visiting nearly 50 of the nation’s 77 districts.

His campaign style breaks traditional political norms completely.

Shah frequently drives himself, making unplanned stops to interact with merchants, agricultural workers, students, and other citizens, often catching them off guard, according to two campaign assistants.

During one journey through Kamal town in Jhapa, Shah unexpectedly halted his vehicle and entered a wedding celebration without invitation, greeting attendees before continuing his travels, campaign team member Surendra Bajgain recalled.

“It’s spontaneous, his actions are instinctive and not strategic,” Bajgain observed about Shah’s approach.

Departing further from conventional methods, Shah has mostly avoided traditional media outlets, instead leveraging social media platforms where he commands millions of followers to spread his political message.

“Campaigning is easy,” Shah mentioned to Reuters during a brief exchange.

“It was more challenging when I ran for mayor because I was alone and I did everything on my own. Now, I have a party and a team supporting me throughout.”

His support team includes a specialized group carrying laptops to campaign events, systematically recording citizen complaints, documenting incomplete projects from previous administrations, and identifying voter priorities.

These concerns undergo investigation and are compiled into manifesto-style “Promise Letters” that Shah’s organization distributes during campaign activities, explained Subhas Basnet, one of the documentation specialists.

Not every Jhapa voter fully embraces Shah’s unconventional approach.

Mahesh Rai, 35, spoke directly to the RSP candidate, recommending he adopt his opponent Oli’s strategy of personal, door-to-door campaigning.

“I think you earn votes when you visit people at their home,” Rai advised Shah, who listened attentively and acknowledged the suggestion with a simple: “Okay.”

Meanwhile, dust clouds from a convoy exceeding 20 vehicles, several equipped with flashing emergency signals, herald Oli’s arrival – a political mainstay since the 1990s.

In rural Gauriganj within Jhapa, organizers arrange a plastic table and chair in the village center for Oli’s use immediately upon his arrival. He performs traditional hand gestures of respect, maintaining a subtle smile.

Despite representing this district for decades, many constituents encounter Oli face-to-face for the first time, as the former leader adjusts his strategy to salvage his political future following September’s uprising damage.

“In previous elections, I did not always have the time to meet local residents personally,” Oli acknowledged to Reuters.

“This time, we have structured the campaign in a way that allows me to stay here and interact directly with people.”

Singheswar Prasad Rajbanshi, 85, expressed his disappointment frankly to Oli, whose journey began as a teenage activist who spent 14 years imprisoned before ascending to key ministerial positions and eventually the premiership.

“Many years ago, you came here seeking my vote while I was resting on my daybed. I supported you,” Rajbanshi confronted the former prime minister.

“But after that, I never saw you again until now.”

KATHMANDU, March 2 — The Himalayan nation of Nepal prepares for a crucial general election Thursday, following massive anti-corruption demonstrations that forced out the previous administration just months ago.

This landlocked country nestled in the mountains has struggled with governmental turmoil spanning multiple decades, witnessing 32 different administrations assume power since 1990 — remarkably, not a single one managed to serve out a complete five-year tenure.

The following timeline illustrates Nepal’s tumultuous political landscape:

ROYAL RULE ERA

Various royal dynasties governed Nepal until 1951, when the nation transitioned to parliamentary democratic rule.

Ten years afterward, King Mahendra dissolved the constitution and outlawed all political organizations. King Birendra, his successor, maintained absolute authority until 1990, when popular pressure transformed the absolute monarchy into a constitutional system.

During the 1991 and 1999 electoral cycles, the moderate Nepali Congress — the nation’s most established political organization — secured decisive majorities needed for governance, yet failed to complete either full term due to both internal divisions and conflicts between parties.

Political chaos ensued. A shocking 2001 royal palace attack claimed the lives of King Birendra and eight additional family members, carried out by Crown Prince Dipendra, who subsequently took his own life, official investigations determined.

Frustrated by unreliable political leaders and facing a strengthening Maoist rebellion in rural areas, King Birendra’s replacement, Gyanendra, seized direct control in 2005, but mass street demonstrations forced his removal within twelve months.

The Nepali Congress led a coalition government starting in 2006, maintaining power for two years.

REPUBLICAN TRANSFORMATION

During 2008, a specialized assembly controlled by former Maoist insurgents, who had entered legitimate politics through a peace agreement, decided to eliminate the 239-year monarchy.

The Communist Party of Nepal branch led by the former insurgents then assumed control, yet the republican transition failed to bring governmental stability.

Fifteen administrative changes have occurred subsequently, with authority rotating among the ex-Maoist rebel organization, the centrist Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist Leninist), and the Nepali Congress.

A fresh constitution took effect in 2015, following more than seven years of work by two separate constitutional conventions. However, this development also proved insufficient for creating lasting governments.

The fragmented political environment created widespread citizen disengagement, strengthening public beliefs that Nepal’s dishonest political establishment showed little concern for average people — who rank among the world’s most economically disadvantaged.

This past September, a brewing digital anti-corruption campaign erupted into youth-driven street demonstrations that removed the administration headed by Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli from the Communist Party of Nepal (UML).

Former Chief Justice Sushila Karki subsequently assumed temporary leadership responsibilities to supervise this week’s general election.

A suspected drone attack targeted a British military installation in Cyprus on Monday, according to reports from Sky News citing the United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defence.

The incident occurred at RAF Akrotiri, located near the city of Limassol on the Mediterranean island. Officials confirmed that no personnel were injured during the attack on the Royal Air Force facility.

The Ministry of Defence has not released additional details about the nature of the strike or potential damage to the base.

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung will conduct high-level discussions with Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Monday as part of an official state visit focused on strengthening partnerships in artificial intelligence and nuclear energy sectors.

The presidential meeting will include formal discussions between the two leaders, followed by a joint public statement and an official lunch, according to announcements from South Korea’s presidential Blue House.

Officials anticipate the summit will launch formal negotiations to enhance the current free trade agreement between the two nations, the Blue House reported.

Both countries plan to finalize five memorandums of understanding during the visit, addressing cooperation in artificial intelligence technology, small modular reactor development, and broader digital technology initiatives.

President Lee’s itinerary also includes participation in an artificial intelligence conference, a meeting with Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, and attendance at an official state dinner, presidential officials confirmed.

The death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Saturday’s U.S.-Israeli military strike has not convinced American intelligence officials that Tehran’s government will collapse anytime soon, according to sources familiar with the situation.

While President Donald Trump and other administration figures have indicated that overthrowing Iran’s authoritarian leadership was among Washington’s objectives—alongside dismantling the country’s nuclear and missile capabilities—three intelligence officials tell Reuters they doubt Iran’s weakened opposition movement can bring down the theocratic system that has controlled the nation since 1979.

In a Truth Social video message Sunday, Trump appealed directly to Iranian citizens, stating: “I call upon all Iranian patriots who yearn for freedom to seize this moment … and take back your country.”

However, American officials who spoke with Reuters say while they cannot entirely dismiss the possibility of governmental collapse—particularly given ongoing airstrikes that have eliminated key Iranian personnel and widespread public anger following January’s brutal crackdown on protesters—such an outcome remains unlikely in the immediate future.

Intelligence reports delivered to the White House before the military operation began warned that Khamenei’s elimination could simply result in his replacement by hardline Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commanders or similarly extremist religious leaders, two sources revealed.

A White House official with access to internal discussions explained that IRGC leadership is unlikely to surrender voluntarily, partly because they have prospered under an extensive patronage system created to ensure loyalty within their ranks.

These CIA evaluations came after separate intelligence agency reporting that noted zero IRGC defections occurred during January’s massive anti-government demonstrations, which Iranian security forces crushed with extreme violence. According to three additional sources, such military defections would likely be essential for any successful revolutionary movement. These sources asked that their specific agency not be identified.

All sources interviewed for this report demanded anonymity when discussing classified intelligence materials.

Trump’s Sunday announcement that he intends to restart diplomatic contact with Iran suggests Washington expects the current government to remain in power, at least temporarily.

Neither the White House nor CIA provided immediate responses to requests for comment.

On Sunday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian announced that a temporary leadership committee consisting of himself, the judiciary chief, and a Guardian Council representative had assumed the Supreme Leader’s responsibilities.

Security official Ali Larijani condemned the United States and Israel for attempting to “plunder and disintegrate Iran” and threatened harsh retaliation against “secessionist groups” if they take action, according to state television reports Sunday. This followed the two nations’ aerial bombardment campaign against Iran, which allegedly included striking a girls’ elementary school. Reuters was unable to independently verify these state media claims.

American intelligence conversations about Khamenei’s potential elimination have extended beyond questions of leadership transition.

Two officials revealed that since January, agencies have engaged in substantial discussions—without reaching agreement—about whether Khamenei’s death might significantly alter Iran’s approach to nuclear program negotiations with Washington.

Intelligence personnel have also debated how much the Supreme Leader’s removal might discourage Iran from reconstructing its missile and nuclear infrastructure, according to these officials, who requested anonymity for discussing sensitive internal conversations.

After January’s protests, Steve Witkoff, Trump’s special representative and close associate, held multiple conversations with Iranian opposition leader Reza Pahlavi, the former shah’s exiled son. This raised questions about potential American support for his installation should Iran’s government fall, two officials noted.

However, senior administration figures have grown increasingly doubtful in recent weeks that any Washington-backed opposition leader could realistically govern the country, these officials added.

Jonathan Panikoff, a former senior intelligence official now with Washington’s Atlantic Council think tank, explained the challenge: “At the end of the day, once U.S. and Israeli strikes stop, if the Iranian people come out, their success in promoting the end of the regime will depend on the rank and file standing aside or aligning with them.”

“Otherwise, the remnants of the regime, those with the weapons, are likely to use them to keep power,” Panikoff concluded.

When China’s real estate market collapsed under crushing debt, it left behind massive residential developments sitting mostly empty across the nation — including a sprawling complex called “Life in Venice” situated along China’s eastern shoreline.

Located just 90 minutes by car from the busy commercial center of Shanghai, this residential development drew its design inspiration from Italy’s famous floating city, complete with European-influenced artwork and structures linked by waterways and footbridges.

The development was originally marketed as Shanghai’s paradise, offering residents an upscale, peaceful resort-style experience near the ocean. However, real estate values began declining several years back, and by 2024, the project’s builder, Evergrande, filed for bankruptcy protection.

Now, “Life in Venice” resembles a deserted community overlooking the sea, with numerous housing units remaining vacant and unsold.

Real estate values in the area have dropped by more than 50 percent. Numerous villa properties stand empty, reduced to bare concrete and stone shells with their private boat slips sitting unused. A three-bedroom unit in the complex can now be leased for only 800 yuan, equivalent to $116 monthly.

These dramatically reduced costs are attracting individuals looking for a relaxed, budget-friendly lifestyle and an alternative to the intense competition found in China’s largest urban centers.

Several small markets, dining establishments, and a postal service center provide basic necessities for those who have decided to relocate to the area.

During winter months, the development remains mostly peaceful as its inhabitants embrace a more leisurely way of life. Some residents can be seen fishing beside a deflated inflatable duck. Children’s garments hang on lines in common areas. A solitary figure rocks back and forth on a beach swing, looking toward an unused dock extending into the water.

In a sprawling, mostly empty development called “Life in Venice” along China’s coast, a multibillion-dollar recreation of the famous Italian city sits largely deserted. Thousands upon thousands of residential units remain nothing more than concrete and stone shells.

Yet this remote, half-abandoned project has attracted unexpected new inhabitants like Sasa Chen, a former finance worker who walked away from her demanding job in Shanghai’s fast-paced business district.

What drew her there?

Chen spends only 1,200 RMB monthly – roughly $168 – for her unit in this artificial Venice located in Jiangsu province. The incredibly low cost has enabled Chen to step away from working life entirely at just 28 years old.

According to analysts, Chen represents a growing movement of young Chinese citizens relocating to smaller communities and towns, capitalizing on rock-bottom property values that have been dropping dramatically since the COVID-19 outbreak.

This represents a complete shift from earlier generations who valued climbing the social ladder. For decades, China’s emerging middle class rushed to thriving metropolitan areas seeking employment and opportunities that were plentiful as the nation experienced rapid economic growth. However, as the previously booming economy has slowed down, expectations have risen while prospects have shrunk and rivalry has intensified.

The majority of major Chinese corporations, particularly well-paying technology companies, demand employees work from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m., Monday through Saturday – an exhausting routine commonly called the 996 culture. Facing this relentless pressure, some young workers have abandoned their careers entirely, joining a protest movement known as “lying flat” – rejecting traditional career paths and consumer culture in favor of a “low-desire lifestyle.”

Many are reshaping their aspirations to prioritize rest and leisure, similar to what young people in Western countries pursue through FIRE: “Financial Independence, Retire Early.”

This goal is much more attainable in China due to extremely low living expenses in certain areas compared to Western costs.

Property values at the enormous “Life in Venice” complex have dropped by more than half since China’s real estate market declined several years ago, and a meal of noodles or rice at local restaurants costs less than three dollars.

These rock-bottom prices have helped young people like Chen who are willing to relocate to isolated but affordable housing now accessible throughout the nation. Chen calls it an ideal existence: ocean views, fresh air, and minimal rent.

“I have all the time in the world, the freedom of doing whatever I want,” said Chen. “I am living the life that I want.”

“Life in Venice” was originally conceived in the early 2010s as a vacation destination for affluent Shanghai residents, offering an upscale yet serene seaside lifestyle.

However, interest in the enormous development’s 46,000 housing units collapsed when China’s debt-driven real estate bubble burst. The construction company, property giant Evergrande, filed for bankruptcy in 2024.

The location now resembles a ghost town, with numerous villas standing as empty frameworks. Fewer than 20% of units have residents. Deserted vessels sit deteriorating at the crumbling dock while “For Sale” notices and vacant storefronts fill the streets. Still, a small number of residents have settled there, with some fishing in the development’s peaceful waters.

Chen previously worked in a gleaming Shanghai office tower, earning as much as 700,000 yuan ($98,480) annually at a major financial company. However, she had always disliked the concept of traditional employment. After three years, she started planning her exit from China’s demanding white-collar work environment.

Her strategy involved accumulating savings and locating housing with rent so minimal she could survive on investment returns alone.

Her goal became reality last year: Chen accumulated 2 million yuan ($290,000) and secured a large apartment at “Life in Venice.” With such minimal rent, she believes she can remain there permanently without returning to work.

While “Life in Venice” lacks her preferred sour soup hotpot restaurant, home delivery services, or nearby major medical facilities, her new home offers basic amenities including a market and dining options.

Chen once dreaded her demanding nine-to-six schedule, which she described as feeling “like marching to my own death.” Currently, she rises at 10 a.m. daily, spending her time preparing meals, relaxing, and taking extended beach walks.

“I never believed that work is the meaning of life,” Chen said. “My ideal state of life is not to work and stay at places that I like.”

Similar to Chen, numerous young Chinese individuals have departed major urban centers.

Although specific data about workforce departures isn’t available, statistics indicate that between 2019 and 2024, Beijing lost 1.6 million residents in their twenties and early thirties – equivalent to Philadelphia’s entire population – based on the capital’s statistical office records.

“People are quitting this competition, this very clear, linear, upward career track,” said Xiang Biao, director of the Max Planck Institute for Social Anthropology in Germany. “It’s a broader trend.”

China’s economic growth has decelerated recently, expanding just 5% in 2025 – still exceeding the U.S. and other developed nations, but far below the double-digit expansion the country previously experienced.

With the slowing economy, young Chinese face employment challenges. By December, 16.5% of 16-24 year-olds not attending school were jobless.

Others, including 29-year-old Ban Zhao, are completely abandoning corporate competition.

Last summer, Ban relocated from a busy commercial city on China’s eastern coastline to a small community in southwestern Yunnan province. Nestled in a green valley, the town is known for pure air and therapeutic hot springs. There, Ban pays just 800 yuan monthly ($110) for a three-bedroom apartment, converting one room into a yoga studio.

She and her partner work fewer than 20 hours weekly, teaching online yoga classes for income. Otherwise, she explores her beautiful tree-lined neighborhood filled with flowers, frequently enjoying the area’s famous sunshine.

“I can do whatever I want and not do whatever I don’t want,” Ban said. “I live in heaven.”

Some are moving to locations like Hegang, a frigid and isolated coal mining community in northeastern China known for incredibly affordable housing. As natural resources were depleted and mines shut down, young residents departed, leaving Hegang with far more homes than inhabitants.

Units there now cost less than automobiles, making sales simple for real estate agent Yang Xuewei.

Yang has sold over 100 discount apartments to buyers nationwide – including some international clients who contacted Yang after viewing his online property tours. A single-bedroom unit sells for $3,000, while $13,000 purchases a spacious four-bedroom home.

“I don’t know about big cities, I never lived in one,” Yang said. “I can only say that living in Hegang is easy.”

Chen Zhiwu, a University of Hong Kong finance professor, explained that increased living expenses and reduced employment options in larger cities are pushing people toward more affordable locations.

“It’s natural,” Chen said. “Young people are facing reality and thinking hard about their futures.”

Medical centers throughout Israel quickly relocated patients to reinforced underground facilities over the weekend as Iranian missiles struck the nation, forcing healthcare workers to once again implement emergency wartime procedures.

More than 100 patients were rapidly moved to the basement hospital facility at Hadassah Hospital Mount Scopus’ Gandel Rehabilitation Center in Jerusalem on Saturday night. Medical staff worked swiftly to transfer vulnerable patients to safety as missiles targeted Israeli territory.

Israeli healthcare facilities have experienced similar situations before. Following a 12-day conflict in June 2025 that required hospitals to shift essential services below ground while treating emergency patients under attack, medical personnel found themselves reactivating crisis response plans. During that previous escalation, Soroka Medical Center in Beersheba suffered a direct missile hit, though patients in the affected area had been evacuated to underground areas just hours earlier.

This recent incident allowed hospitals advance warning and additional preparation time. Dr. Moshe Simons, an Orthodox internal medicine physician working in the underground facility during the Sabbath, explained that when alerts first rang out in June signaling Israel’s strike on Iran, medical centers were uncertain about what would follow. This time around, he noted, the evacuation process proceeded much more efficiently.

“We were unsure about the duration,” Simons explained to The Media Line. “While it required eight hours to move patients downstairs previously, we accomplished it faster this time.”

According to Simons, the hospital had already identified which patients from various departments required underground relocation and their designated locations. Medical staff had incorporated knowledge gained from the earlier crisis, and he stated that “operations proceeded more smoothly.”

Approximately 100 patients occupied the underground area at the Mount Scopus facility, with a similar number at the affiliated Ein Kerem hospital in Jerusalem. Medical centers throughout Israel functioned under comparable circumstances.

However, obstacles persist. Simons identified the primary challenge as operating within a single expansive room. Patient beds are divided by blue and white fabric partitions, creating privacy issues for some individuals. Moving equipment and machinery through the narrow central walkway proves challenging but manageable. The enclosed environment offers limited illumination and lacks fresh air circulation. Consequently, one important takeaway from the previous crisis was providing staff with more frequent rest periods during quiet intervals, permitting outdoor breaks during their work shifts.

A young woman named Miriam, who accompanied her friend to the medical facility, described how her friend had been transferred from Ein Kerem to Mount Scopus as warning sirens activated. She characterized the circumstances as “less than perfect” and expressed hope for a brief duration. Nevertheless, she told The Media Line that staff handled everything with professionalism and stressed that her friend maintained positive spirits.

Following national protocols, hospitals nationwide are currently conducting only critical and limited scheduled and outpatient procedures.

During the night, one woman lost her life while more than two dozen others sustained injuries when an Iranian missile impacted central Israel. The fatality, a woman in her 40s, suffered critical wounds in the strike and died while being transported to medical care. Two additional victims remained in moderate condition Sunday morning. Reports indicated children were also wounded in the attack.

Following the initial day of missile strikes, most casualties were minor and happened as people rushed to protective shelters or were injured in related incidents. However, Israel is preparing for more severe injuries.

On March 1, the conflict’s second day, nine people died, 51 sustained injuries, and 11 remained missing after an Iranian missile struck a bomb shelter in Beit Shemesh. Later that same day, three individuals were wounded when a strike hit a Jerusalem roadway.

Throughout the 12-day war, 28 Israelis died and more than 3,000 people required hospitalization.

During the weekend, Magen David Adom (MDA) elevated its alert status to maximum level. All MDA ambulances, mobile intensive care units, emergency motorcycles, and rapid response vehicles operated with full crews, while all 39,000 staff members and volunteers were activated to deliver rapid and effective medical response to any situation.

ZAKA emergency services implemented identical measures. “During recent days, we performed thorough inspections of all emergency vehicles, updated equipment, and addressed logistical shortfalls,” stated ZAKA Vehicle Officer Erez Madmon. “I also ordered siren replacements to ensure they don’t resemble air-raid warnings, showing sensitivity to the public and recognizing the importance of maintaining calm and accuracy even during crises.”

MDA dedicated most of Saturday morning to relocating bedridden patients, those requiring ventilation, and others to secure facilities, utilizing specialized intensive care buses, mobile intensive care units, and ambulances. The emergency response organization also urged public blood donations, particularly from type O donors, for potential emergency use. Multiple blood collection sites opened to accept contributions.

The Health Ministry simultaneously released its own directives, requesting all mental health departments to maintain operations while enabling early patient discharge when appropriate. Healthcare organizations established support telephone lines to offer emotional assistance and help individuals manage stress, anxiety, tension, and other difficulties.

Elderly care facilities and rehabilitation hospitals received requests to consider early discharges and prepare space for potential broader emergencies.

At Assuta Ashdod hospital, however, operations continued normally. All sections, including the nursery, maternity and newborn department, neonatal and intensive care units, already possess complete protection and enable uninterrupted and secure care even during missile strikes, eliminating the need to relocate patients or halt treatment.

Assuta became the nation’s first fully fortified public hospital when it opened in 2017.

“Sirens sounded during my labor pains, but due to the protection, I didn’t need to relocate and stayed with my regular medical team,” said Daniela Cohen, who gave birth at Assuta on Saturday. “I remained in the same room with the same familiar team guiding me calmly and professionally. The experience felt completely secure, without unnecessary stress, and the security situation didn’t affect care continuity or this special moment.”

Despite the stress, there were also moments of peaceful contemplation within these facilities. On Saturday evening, a special Havdalah ceremony took place to mark the Sabbath’s conclusion at Shaare Zedek Hospital in Jerusalem.

“Even during difficult times, both personally and medically, it was essential for us to stop briefly and perform Havdalah together with patients’ families and the dedicated teams who joined the effort and have been working extended hours to both treat patients and ensure their safety,” said Professor Philip Levin, director of general intensive care at the hospital. Six individuals injured in the Beit Shemesh missile attack on Sunday, including a four-year-old boy, were transported to Shaare Tzedek.

Military actions involving the United States and Israel targeting Iran sent ripples through global financial markets early Monday morning, causing sharp declines in stock futures and dramatic spikes in energy prices.

Markets across Asia opened with significant losses, led by Japan’s Nikkei 225, which dropped 2.4% to close at 57,430.18. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 also declined, falling 0.4% to 9,159.60.

American stock futures painted a similar picture of concern, with the S&P 500 future contract dropping 1.1% while the Dow Jones Industrial Average future fell 1.2%. The Nasdaq composite future also slipped 1.1%.

Investors flocked to traditional safe-haven assets during the uncertainty. Gold prices climbed 2.3% to reach $5,380.60 per ounce, while silver advanced 2.1%.

Energy markets saw the most dramatic movement as traders worried about potential disruptions to Middle Eastern oil supplies. U.S. benchmark crude oil prices surged 6.8% to $71.58 per barrel, while international Brent crude jumped even higher at 7.5% to reach $78.33 per barrel.

Market analysts pointed to the strategic importance of regional shipping lanes. Stephen Innes from SPI Asset Management explained the significance in a market commentary: “Roughly one-fifth of global oil and LNG (liquefied natural gas) flows squeeze through the Strait of Hormuz. This is not an obscure canal. It is the aorta of the global energy system.”

The narrow waterway connecting the Persian Gulf to international waters has seen multiple incidents affecting vessels, raising concerns about countries’ ability to export energy resources to global markets.

Energy analysts warn that continued regional conflicts could lead to sustained increases in both crude oil and gasoline costs for consumers.

Iran’s daily oil exports of approximately 1.6 million barrels, primarily shipped to China, represent another potential supply concern. Any disruption to Iranian exports could force China to seek alternative sources, potentially driving prices higher across global markets.

However, the military actions weren’t entirely unexpected, as U.S. forces had been building up their presence in the Middle East, allowing traders to prepare for potential market impacts.

Last Friday’s trading session had already shown weakness, with the S&P 500 declining 0.4% and marking only its second monthly loss in the past ten months. The Dow industrials dropped 1.1% while the Nasdaq composite fell 0.9%. Bond markets saw Treasury yields decrease as investors sought safer investment options.

Innes noted the market’s current vulnerability, stating: “When markets are fragile, they do not need a knockout blow. They just need another weight on the bar.”

Adding to market concerns was Friday’s inflation data showing U.S. wholesale prices rose 2.9% last month, significantly exceeding economists’ expectations of 1.6%. This unexpected jump could influence Federal Reserve decisions regarding interest rate cuts, as lower rates typically boost both economic activity and investment values but may also fuel inflation.

Israeli armed forces announced Monday they have launched military operations targeting the Iran-supported militant organization Hezbollah throughout Lebanon.

Residents reported hearing explosions in Beirut’s southern districts, an area widely recognized as a stronghold for the militant group.

The military action represents an escalation in tensions between Israel and the Lebanon-based organization backed by Iran.

Australia has firmly declared it will not deploy military forces to Iran as tensions continue to escalate throughout the Middle East region, officials announced Monday.

The declaration comes as Israel conducted additional airstrikes against Tehran while Iran retaliated with further missile launches. The weekend brought devastating news with the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in Saturday’s attack, and the United States reporting its initial military losses in the expanding conflict.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong made clear that Australia plans to stay out of the military confrontation entirely.

“Australia is not central to the issues in the Middle East. We didn’t participate in these strikes and we wouldn’t anticipate participating in the future,” Wong stated during a Monday interview with Channel Nine.

Instead of military involvement, Australian officials are focusing their efforts on assisting citizens trapped in the conflict zone. Wong revealed that approximately 115,000 Australians are currently stuck in the region as commercial air travel remains severely disrupted.

The foreign minister acknowledged the government is working with airline companies to develop evacuation strategies, though she admitted the process faces significant obstacles with much of the regional airspace still shut down.

“We understand how distressing and challenging this time is, and we will do all that we can to provide you with information and to support you. The situation is very challenging,” Wong explained to media representatives in Canberra.

Wong indicated that resuming commercial airline operations would likely provide the most practical solution for bringing Australians home, though she refused to specify whether the government might arrange special repatriation flights.

“There is conflict in the region, we’ve seen loss of life across the region and airspace is not open. So whether or not it is an Australian flight or a commercial flight, the flights are not able to occur,” Wong explained.

The ongoing crisis has severely impacted travel connections between Australia and major destinations in Asia and Europe, with the Middle East serving as a crucial transit hub. Major carriers including Etihad and Emirates have suspended multiple flights departing from Australia.

Meanwhile, Defence Minister Richard Marles confirmed that safety protocols have been implemented for roughly 100 Australian military personnel currently stationed at Al Minhad Air Base near Dubai, which supports various United Nations peacekeeping operations.

Argentina’s foreign minister announced Sunday that a military officer from their country who had been held in Venezuelan custody for more than 12 months has been freed and departed the nation.

The officer, Nahuel Gallo, serves with Argentina’s Gendarmerie and was taken into custody in Venezuela during late 2024. His detention created additional strain in the already tense relationship between Argentine President Javier Milei and Venezuela’s former leader Nicolas Maduro, who was later apprehended by U.S. authorities in January and brought to New York.

Argentine officials had previously challenged Gallo’s imprisonment as unlawful through international legal channels.

In a social media message, Gallo’s spouse Maria Alexandra Gomez shared her relief, stating: “I just spoke with Nahuel Gallo and I can inform you that he is already flying to Argentina. We are deeply moved. Victor will be able to hug his father in a few hours.”

Following nearly five decades of internal divisions and political splits, Iran’s opposition movements are making unprecedented efforts to unite in the wake of January’s mass protests and ongoing demonstrations within the country. These unification attempts gained significant momentum after February 28, when a joint U.S.-Israeli preemptive attack eliminated Iran’s highest-ranking political and military officials, including the supreme leader, dramatically reshaping the opposition environment both domestically and internationally.

Recent developments have sparked new hope among opposition circles. Several major Iranian Kurdish political organizations have successfully merged their operations, while republican factions held a private gathering in London called the “Congress for Freedom in Iran” to explore greater cooperation. Though traditional leftist parties with nearly seven decades of history have not yet created a unified coalition, younger progressive activists recently exiled from Iran have established the “Inclusive Alliance of the Revolutionary Left.” This new organization, founded by prominent student movement leaders who fled Iran in recent years or months, represents a fresh approach to overcoming generational divisions within leftist circles.

In a surprising diplomatic move, Reza Pahlavi, the prominent figure among monarchist and right-wing supporters, recently held discussions with progressive intellectuals in Paris. The meeting included distinguished Iranian thinkers such as Dariush Ashouri, a founding member of the Iranian Writers’ Association. This organization historically faced persecution under both the monarchy, when SAVAK repeatedly jailed its members and banned their publications, and later under the Islamic Republic, which executed or assassinated several members.

Also present at the Paris gathering was Chahla Chafiq, an Iranian author and sociologist living in exile who has written extensively critiquing political Islam and Islamic totalitarianism. Some Pahlavi allies characterized the meeting as an attempt to gain leftist intellectual support. However, controversy arose due to the attendance of Yasmine Pahlavi, his spouse, whom critics associate with the phrase “Death to the three corrupt ones: the mullah, the leftist, and the mojahed.” Many leftist activists viewed this slogan as directly targeting them, especially given widespread public rejection of clerical rule and the unpopularity of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (MEK) among broad segments of Iranian society.

The Paris meeting generated significant criticism. Some opponents accused the participating intellectuals of aligning with Pahlavi’s dominant political movement, drawing parallels to 1979 when intellectuals were marginalized amid mass support for Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. Pahlavi has pursued alliance-building not through established political parties but by engaging influential individuals, particularly prominent social media personalities and celebrities. During the “Woman, Life, Freedom” demonstrations, he departed from an earlier coalition with moderate and progressive figures, while his inner circle has since promoted the message “One country, one flag, one leader.”

Political analysts argue that any alliance excluding Iran’s diverse ethnic populations and the broad range of political and social movements within the 95 million Iranian population, both inside and outside the country, will likely fail to achieve meaningful ground-level impact.

Fariba Balouch, a political activist advocating for Iran’s Balouch community rights, maintains that including historically marginalized ethnic groups in a broad coalition would increase public participation in revolutionary change.

In an interview with The Media Line, she emphasized that opposition unity is crucial for removing the Islamic Republic but must be founded on genuine acceptance of Iran’s diversity. “In the decisive circumstances we are facing today, unity is a necessity for the overthrow of the Islamic Republic. However, such unity will only be effective if it is built on the genuine acceptance of the diversity and plurality that exist within Iran.”

She characterized Iran as a nation of marginalized ethnic, religious, and linguistic communities, stressing that excluded groups must be fully represented in any unified movement. “Iran is a country of multiple nationalities, cultures, religions, and languages, many of which have had their voices ignored or suppressed in recent decades. The Balouch people, who have faced structural discrimination throughout these years, must find their rightful place within this unity in order to secure their rights.”

Balouch emphasized her support for partnerships based on equality and substantive power-sharing rather than superficial leadership changes. “We support any alliance that is founded on justice, equality, and the meaningful participation of nationalities in power, an alliance whose aim is not merely to replace figures, but to transform the fundamental structures of power.”

The collaborative efforts among major Iranian Kurdish parties, many of which have conducted armed resistance against the Islamic Republic, have received widespread approval. However, Reza Pahlavi issued a statement warning against “separatism” and implicitly threatening Kurdish parties with military action, drawing strong negative reactions. Kurdish organizations responded critically, claiming the former crown prince was using the “worn-out baton of separatism accusations” to silence them, similar to the Islamic Republic’s tactics. This exchange appears to have widened the gap between Pahlavi and Kurdish groups, many of which say they seek autonomy arrangements similar to Switzerland’s federal system rather than independence.

Meanwhile, independent organizations, including supporters of the Woman, Life, Freedom movement within Iran, are working to establish a new coalition.

Shirin Shams, a leader of the Women’s Revolution Collective, told The Media Line the initiative directly responds to activists inside the country demanding a democratic, pluralistic alternative. “We are building an organized and inclusive network that will create an active and effective connection between forces inside and outside Iran.”

She indicated a formal announcement is approaching and described the initiative as both an opposition alliance and a transitional framework. “Our goal is to generate synergy and unity among all forces committed to the Woman, Life, Freedom movement in order to overthrow the Islamic Republic and prepare a political alternative for the transitional period, one that is distinct and rooted in Iranian society.”

January’s protests demonstrated that despite millions taking to the streets, the lack of organized leadership made it nearly impossible to challenge a state prepared to deploy armored forces without suffering massive casualties and social chaos. Currently, as opposition forces view the Islamic Republic as being in its most vulnerable state since 1979, unity and coalition-building efforts have accelerated—a perception strengthened by the February 28 targeted strike that eliminated much of the regime’s leadership and created uncertainty about succession and command structure.

Within the country, the opposition includes notable figures such as Nobel Prize winner Narges Mohammadi, along with intellectuals representing leftist, centrist, and nationalist perspectives. Most are either imprisoned or effectively held captive by the state. Nevertheless, student organizations, women’s rights advocates, labor organizers, teachers’ councils, and retirees’ associations continue coordinating strikes and protests and may play a crucial role at a pivotal moment.

In Ilam, a student named Farzaneh suggested that the visible presence of competing political visions could prevent a new power monopoly after the regime’s collapse. A diverse opposition, she argued, would prevent the revolutionary process from consolidating under one dominant voice.

“It can first offer practical strategies for struggle,” she explains, “at the same time, ensure that power is not monopolized by one specific group after the fall of the Islamic Republic. It can also reduce public despair and disengagement if the revolutionary process becomes prolonged, because a range of options rooted in different political tendencies and supported by various groups and movements can lead to meaningful participation by the entire population.”

For years, the Islamic Republic and its intelligence apparatus have worked to penetrate opposition movements inside and outside the country to spread mistrust and create divisions. A unified coalition—or multiple coordinated coalitions—across ideological boundaries could therefore pose a strategic challenge to the regime. The regime’s Ministry of Intelligence has repeatedly claimed infiltration among opposition groups to prevent unity. Some of these operations have reportedly involved discrediting activists by impersonating members of rival factions. Recently, Majid Khadami, head of the IRGC Intelligence Organization, stated that “internal disagreements among traditional anti-regime groups over the timing and leadership of unrest, and the refusal to accept monarchists’ centrality,” were among the reasons the January protests did not lead to the regime’s overthrow. He added that IRGC intelligence has intensified efforts through “infiltrators” to disrupt the planners and executors of what he described as combined operations against the regime.

Although the Islamic Republic’s intelligence agencies—echoing the late Ali Khamenei—have blamed the January uprising on foreign powers such as the United States and Israel, even regime-affiliated figures have acknowledged that accumulated public grievances were the main cause. Mohammadreza Javadi Yeganeh, a former member of the Government Information Council, wrote on X that the “continuation of political obstruction” in response to public demands is concerning. Sociologist Ahmad Bokharaei told Eghtesad News that following the violent suppression of the uprising, many young people have become fearless and that anger has “transformed into resentment.”

In this environment, coordinated action among opposition parties, after nearly half a century of fragmentation, could provide new energy to protest movements that have resurged in public spaces, especially in universities. Despite harsh repression, the regime appears increasingly challenged in its attempts to suppress dissent.

Kuwait International Airport came under drone attack Saturday, leaving multiple airport workers with minor injuries and causing damage to one of its main terminals, according to Kuwait’s aviation authority.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation reported that the unmanned aircraft struck Terminal 1, prompting immediate emergency response protocols. Abdullah Al-Rajhi, speaking for the aviation directorate, confirmed that authorities quickly secured the area following the incident.

“Assessment, repair, and restructuring of operations are currently underway, adhering to the highest safety standards,” Al-Rajhi stated.

Meanwhile, drone attacks also struck Bahrain, with one unmanned aircraft hitting a residential structure in Manama, the nation’s capital. A second drone went down in Bahrain’s eastern region.

Warning sirens blared throughout Bahrain and other Gulf nations, with Oman being the sole exception to experience the alerts.

The Iranian assault extended to Saudi Arabia as well, with missiles and drones striking both Riyadh, the Saudi capital, and the country’s Eastern Province.

Regional and world leaders have strongly criticized the attacks. Gulf state officials have been communicating with each other in recent hours to voice their unified opposition to Iran’s military actions.

Currency markets experienced significant volatility Monday as investors sought safer financial havens amid escalating military conflict in the Middle East that has disrupted global energy supplies.

The U.S. dollar strengthened while the euro weakened after joint American and Israeli military operations in Iran resulted in the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, creating political uncertainty and heightening fears of extended regional warfare.

The Swiss franc, traditionally viewed as a safe investment during times of crisis, increased approximately 0.2% against the dollar and surged 0.6% versus the euro to reach its highest point since 2015 at 0.9030 during early Asian trading hours.

Meanwhile, the euro declined 0.3% to $1.1781, and the Japanese yen showed mixed performance, ultimately trading slightly lower at 156.32 against the dollar due to Japan’s heavy reliance on oil imports.

Other currencies tied to energy-importing nations also suffered losses, with the British pound and Australian dollar each dropping more than 0.5%, while China’s yuan fell about 0.2% in offshore markets given China’s status as Iran’s primary oil customer.

BNZ strategist Jason Wong in Wellington expressed uncertainty about the conflict’s duration and economic impact. “You don’t know how long this is going to last, how high oil is going to go, how long the Strait of Hormuz is going to be closed,” Wong stated. “The initial reaction is mild risk off, and you’ve just got to take each day as it comes.”

Israeli military officials confirmed their air force successfully eliminated the 86-year-old Khamenei, with Iranian state media acknowledging his death and triggering a critical leadership succession process.

Combat operations continued through Sunday, with Iran retaliating against the attacks. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard reported strikes against three American and British oil tankers, while explosions were documented in Dubai and Doha.

Energy markets responded immediately to the disruption, with oil prices jumping approximately 9% during early Monday trading as seaborne transportation faced significant interference.

Currencies from oil-exporting countries like Canada and Norway remained relatively stable during early Asian market hours, while the risk-sensitive Australian dollar dropped 0.7% to $0.7065. Market analysts anticipate energy-importing nations will face the most sustained economic pressure.

Wells Fargo analysts highlighted particular concerns for European markets in a research note. “The euro is in a difficult spot,” the analysts wrote. “Europe’s natural gas storage refill season is about to begin and the EU is heading into it with record-low gas in storage, implying it will need to buy a large chunk of energy right as prices potentially shoot higher.”

Israeli military spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani indicated numerous targets remain but ruled out deploying ground troops. President Donald Trump suggested to the Daily Mail that military operations could continue for approximately one month. “We figured it will be four weeks or so. It’s always been about a four-week process,” Trump said.

Shipping data from Sunday revealed the conflict’s impact on maritime trade, with at least 150 vessels carrying crude oil and liquefied natural gas anchored in open Gulf waters beyond the Strait of Hormuz, while dozens more remained stationary on the opposite side of the critical shipping passage.

As tensions escalate between Israel and the United States against Iran, Syria finds itself at a crossroads, potentially moving away from years of Iranian dominance in the region.

The war-torn nation now presents a dramatically different landscape compared to previous years of conflict. Syria’s emerging political leadership is working to reshape the country’s regional relationships, influenced by widespread public resentment over Iran’s involvement in the Syrian civil war.

A recent declaration from Syria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates signals this transformation in official policy. The statement, reviewed by The Media Line, criticized Iranian strikes against multiple Arab nations and expressed Damascus’s support for these countries, opposing any threats to their independence and safety.

Political experts note this represents a significant shift from the previous era, when Syrian foreign policy closely mirrored Tehran’s interests under Bashar Assad’s leadership. The change reflects Syria’s intention to distance itself from alliance-based politics and rebuild relationships with Arab neighbors and the broader region.

Understanding current Syrian perspectives requires examining Iran’s deep involvement in the country during the early stages of the war. Tehran provided direct military and security support, backing the former government, deploying advisors and fighters, and supporting various armed factions.

This involvement created lasting impacts on Syrian communities, especially among citizens who consider Iran a key participant in military campaigns that struck urban areas, neighborhoods, and civilian zones. These experiences fostered widespread anti-Iranian sentiment that intensified as civilian casualties continued rising.

After the former regime’s downfall, Syria experienced a gradual pullback of Iranian-affiliated forces and organizations as part of new political and security frameworks designed to minimize foreign interference and reconstruct government institutions.

Many Syrians view this withdrawal as the start of a fresh era, particularly as discussions grow about rebalancing international relationships and abandoning the rigid alliances that defined the earlier period.

Widespread Syrian relief regarding strikes against Iran comes as no surprise. Many citizens believe current events extend beyond immediate military conflict and connect directly to wartime memories and traumatic personal experiences.

Hussein Al-Saeed, an Aleppo resident, shared with The Media Line that today’s developments “carries symbolic meaning for many Syrians, because they feel that a party that was part of their suffering is now facing major challenges. This gives them a sense that times are changing and that the region may be entering a new phase.” He clarified that these feelings don’t stem from wanting war itself, but rather from hoping for reduced foreign interference that burdened the nation for years.

Damascus journalist Shireen Al-Masri explained to The Media Line that public sentiment remains complicated but leans toward believing “what is happening today may ease the intensity of the conflicts that have affected Syria.” She noted that many aren’t celebrating warfare, but think regional rebalancing could benefit Syria internally. This perspective also connects to widespread desires for stability and rebuilding, and moving beyond the divisions that have blocked political or economic advancement.

In Idlib, activist Iyad Aref told The Media Line that community reactions directly tie to memories of blockades and bombing campaigns. Local residents believe “a decline in Iranian influence in the region may reduce the chances of repeating scenarios of military intervention in other countries.” He added that many Syrians interpret these developments as part of a wider struggle for Middle Eastern influence, not simply a conflict between two nations or two alliances.

From the south, young resident Ayham Mahmoud told The Media Line that his generation matured during warfare and foreign interventions, therefore viewing current events as a chance to alter established patterns. He emphasized that “the joy is not about the war itself, but about the possibility of ending a phase in which Syrians were an open arena for conflict,” adding that many hope this will reduce security and military pressures on the region.

In Qamishli, a humanitarian worker who requested anonymity indicated that public attitudes also carry a humanitarian aspect. Some Syrians feel that “any retreat in the influence of forces that participated in the war may help turn the page on the past.” However, she stressed that most people want stability above everything else, and that citizens simultaneously worry about expanding regional conflicts and their effects on the entire area.

Well-known Syrian activist Hadi Al-Abdullah expressed a much more intense reaction, connecting reports of Iranian leadership deaths to Syrians’ wartime losses. “The Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has been transferred, and his body is being pulled out from under the rubble. This reminds me of the days when we used to pull the bodies of our children from under the rubble—our children whom the Iranians killed, whom Ali Khamenei, the head of evil, the head of crime, the head of injustice, sent. He has been killed along with a group of Iranian officials. These criminals have deeply shed the blood of the Syrians, Iraqis, Lebanese, and Yemenis, and they have shed the blood of Arabs and Muslims. I am very happy about the killing of the criminals, and I cannot hide my joy.”

Despite these popular feelings among certain groups, Syria’s new leadership maintains careful and measured official messaging centered on sovereignty principles and non-interference, advocating for diplomatic resolutions while showing awareness of the delicate current situation. Damascus recognizes that direct participation in polarizing conflicts could create new pressures when it’s working to establish internal stability, rebuild the economy, and secure international backing.

Political analysts suggest the divide between government statements and public opinion represents a normal characteristic of political transitions, as administrations tend to pursue careful balance while societies express emotions more directly. Meanwhile, Syrian leadership seeks to reposition the country as a regional player committed to avoiding escalation, an approach that could help establish new partnerships and rejoin the regional community.

Ultimately, Syria seems to be beginning a new chapter, where regional developments are seen not simply as military confrontation between major powers, but as part of broader reshaping of regional dynamics that significantly influenced the Syrian war’s trajectory.

While public opinion reflects both relief and caution, the government continues using diplomatic language to strengthen stability and begin a new chapter in international relations. Many Syrians hope these changes will mark the beginning of the end of a lengthy period of interventions and conflict, for which their country has paid an enormous cost.

Warning sirens echoed throughout northern Israel on Monday after rockets were launched from Lebanese territory, according to Israeli military officials. This marks the first attack originating from Lebanon since the United States and Israel began conducting military operations against Iran.

A ceasefire agreement brokered by the United States in 2024 brought an end to the conflict between Israel and Lebanon, concluding over a year of combat with the Lebanese militant organization Hezbollah. The fighting had escalated to Israeli military operations that significantly damaged the Iranian-supported group. Both nations have since accused each other of breaking the truce terms.

Hezbollah has not yet responded to reports of Monday’s rocket launch from Lebanese soil.

The Shiite Muslim organization, which has served as one of Iran’s key regional partners in the Middle East, declared support for Iran on Saturday while remaining unclear about potential military involvement.

Israeli military officials later confirmed that defense systems successfully intercepted one rocket while additional projectiles landed in uninhabited regions.

Military representatives reported no casualties or property damage from the incident.

Nearly 500 Russian citizens are preparing to leave Iran by traveling through Azerbaijan, Russia’s embassy in Baku announced Sunday.

The Russian diplomatic mission expressed appreciation to Azerbaijan for their cooperation in the evacuation effort. “We would like to express our gratitude to the Azerbaijani side for their assistance, including for the prompt consideration of issues related to the issuance of border crossing permits,” the embassy stated on its Telegram channel.

According to a government source in Azerbaijan, 192 people have already been evacuated from Iran to Azerbaijan during a 38-hour period, with 82 of those individuals being Azerbaijani citizens.

Russia’s foreign ministry has advised Russian citizens to either relocate to safer areas within Israel and Iran or to leave both countries entirely following recent military actions conducted by Israel and the United States.

Military operations between the United States, Israel, and Iran entered their second day Sunday following the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, creating uncertainty about the Islamic Republic’s future and heightening regional tensions.

Explosions erupted across Tehran Sunday evening as Israeli forces announced they were bringing their offensive to Iran’s capital city center.

Iranian forces responded by launching missiles and drones toward Israeli targets, U.S. military bases throughout the Gulf region, and striking both Saudi Arabia’s capital and Dubai’s business district. Earlier Sunday, Iran appointed a 66-year-old religious leader to a three-person governing council that will oversee the nation while selecting Khamenei’s replacement.

A high-ranking White House official revealed that Iran’s emerging leadership has indicated interest in negotiations with the United States. The official, who requested anonymity when discussing internal government discussions, stated President Trump expressed eventual willingness to engage in talks while maintaining that current military actions will proceed without interruption.

During a Sunday interview with The Atlantic, Trump confirmed plans to communicate with Iran’s new leaders. “They want to talk, and I have agreed to talk, so I will be talking to them,” Trump stated, though he refused to specify when discussions might begin.

Congressional Briefing Scheduled

Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, and Joint Chiefs Chairman Dan Caine will address Congress regarding the Iranian military operation next week, according to White House announcements Sunday.

White House spokesperson Dylan Johnson confirmed the four officials would address “the full membership of both chambers of Congress on Tuesday, March 3.”

Johnson noted that Pentagon representatives had already conducted a 90-minute briefing for congressional staff members Sunday.

Syrian Civilians Injured by Debris

Four individuals, including three children, sustained minor injuries from Iranian missile fragments in Ain Terma, located in Damascus’s surrounding area Sunday evening, according to Syria’s official news agency SANA.

The casualties, consisting of a father and his three daughters, received hospital treatment for minor wounds that were immediately addressed, SANA reported, citing the Health Ministry’s Ambulance and Emergency director.

Gulf Nations Demand End to Iranian Attacks

Foreign ministers from six Gulf nations demanded Iran immediately cease attacks on their sovereign territory, claiming these actions threaten regional security and stability.

Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain’s top diplomats conducted an emergency virtual conference Sunday following the U.S.-Israeli strikes that prompted Iranian missile barrages against U.S. installations and civilian infrastructure, including airports, hotels, and residential neighborhoods. The ministers denounced the attacks targeting their nations and Jordan.

The Gulf diplomatic leaders affirmed their countries maintain “their legal right to respond and the right to self-defense,” according to international law.

Trump Vows to Avenge Fallen Service Members

President Trump pledged America would “avenge their deaths” when referring to killed U.S. military personnel.

Trump made these remarks during a six-minute social media video posted Sunday afternoon, calling the three service members “true American patriots who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation, even as we continue the righteous mission for which they gave their lives.”

The president continued: “Sadly, there will likely be more, before it ends. That’s the way it is. Likely be more.”

Diplomatic Personnel Authorized to Leave Gulf

The State Department authorized non-essential American diplomats and government personnel families to depart Bahrain and Qatar as U.S.-Israeli strikes and Iranian counterattacks continue.

Updated travel warnings issued Sunday indicated the department reduced its diplomatic presence in Doha and Manama “due to security concerns.”

The department advised private American citizens should “reconsider travel to Bahrain and Qatar due to the threat of armed conflict.”

Israeli Official Credits Optimal Strike Conditions

An Israeli military official described how multiple factors created ideal circumstances for Israel and the U.S. to eliminate much of Iran’s leadership during the war’s opening assault.

The official explained that months of preparation and extensive U.S. coordination, combined with real-time intelligence confirming targets were assembled together, enabled the allies to execute their joint Saturday morning operation.

According to the official, airstrikes hit three sites within 60 seconds of each other, killing Iran’s supreme leader and approximately 40 senior officials, including Iran’s Revolutionary Guard commander. The broad daylight timing provided additional surprise.

The official stated Israel and the U.S. determined targeting leadership offered the best operational opening, preventing their rapid dispersal and concealment once attacks commenced. Speaking anonymously about the covert mission, the official said: “We had a great opportunity, great intel, great execution.”

Israeli General Acknowledges Extended Combat Ahead

Israel’s commanding general commended his military’s initial success against Iran while cautioning citizens that “many more days of combat lie ahead.”

Following a day characterized by warning alarms, strikes, and at least nine fatalities from one Iranian assault, Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir acknowledged casualties in Beit Shemesh while celebrating “significant achievements” made by Israel and the U.S. The joint operations eliminated high-ranking security officials and Supreme Leader Khamenei.

“Patience and resilience are required now. We are operating in close cooperation with our ally. Coordination with the U.S. military is closer than ever,” stated Zamir, the army’s chief of general staff.

Trump Estimates Four-Week Timeline

President Trump discussed projected combat duration during a telephone conversation with a British publication.

“We figured it will be four weeks or so,” Trump informed the Daily Mail. “It’s always been about a four-week process, so, as strong as it is — it’s a big country — it’ll take four weeks, or less.”

The U.S. military confirmed three service member deaths, marking the first acknowledged American casualties. Trump described those killed as “great people.”

“You know, we expect that to happen, unfortunately,” Trump told the publication. “Could happen continuous — it could happen again.”

Jerusalem Experiences Heavy Bombardment

Powerful explosions shook Jerusalem Sunday night as another wave of Iranian missiles targeted the city.

Shelters reached capacity while residents reported the explosions were among the loudest experienced since combat began.

Officials could not immediately determine whether the sounds resulted from missile impacts or defensive interceptions.

Omani Official Calls for Renewed Negotiations

The diplomat who facilitated indirect nuclear discussions between the U.S. and Iran last week in Geneva urged resuming negotiations, stating the “door to diplomacy remains open.”

Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi posted on X that “genuine progress toward an unprecedented agreement” occurred during recent talks.

“I still believe in the power of diplomacy to resolve this conflict,” he wrote. “The sooner talks are resumed the better it is for everyone.”

Iranian explosive drones struck Oman’s Duqm Port earlier Sunday, injuring one worker.

LONDON – The United Kingdom has launched a comprehensive review asking families and young people to weigh in on whether children under 16 should be prohibited from using social media platforms.

Nations across the globe are wrestling with how to shield children from the negative effects of social media and online gaming on their mental wellness and sleep patterns, as many parents struggle to keep up with platforms designed to keep young users engaged for extended periods.

In December, Australia implemented restrictions preventing those under 16 from accessing social media, prompting other nations including the UK to consider following suit.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has expressed his intention to establish additional safeguards for children that go beyond the current Online Safety Act, which was enacted just two and a half years ago.

Beginning Monday, the three-month public consultation will examine various approaches including establishing minimum age requirements for social media access, prohibiting features designed to be addictive, and implementing nighttime restrictions for users under 16.

Technology Minister Liz Kendall addressed the widespread concerns in a public statement: “We know parents everywhere are grappling with how much screen time their children should have, when they should give them a phone, what they are seeing online, and the impact all of this is having.”

“This is why we’re asking children and parents to take part in this landmark consultation on how young people can thrive in an age of rapid technological change,” Kendall continued.

Officials announced plans to conduct trial programs involving families and teenagers to test how social media limitations might function in real-world scenarios.

The review will also investigate whether minors should have unrestricted access to artificial intelligence chatbots and explore ways to enhance age-verification systems.

Additionally, the UK is developing more stringent regulations requiring technology companies to delete non-consensual intimate images within 48 hours or face penalties up to 10% of their worldwide revenue.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced Sunday that his government has granted the United States permission to utilize British military installations for defensive operations targeting Iranian missile storage facilities and launch sites.

In a video statement posted to X, Starmer explained the decision: “The United States has requested permission to use British bases for that specific and limited defensive purpose. We have taken the decision to accept this request to prevent Iran firing missiles across the region.”

The British leader emphasized that the UK did not participate in the combined US-Israeli military operations against Iran on Saturday that resulted in the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, and stated Britain would not join additional strike missions.

However, Starmer noted that Iran has responded with continuous attacks throughout the region, with Iranian missiles striking airports and hotels housing British nationals.

“Our decision that the UK would not be involved with the strikes on Iran was deliberate, not least because we believe that the best way forward for the region and for the world is a negotiated settlement, one in which Iran agrees to give up any aspirations to develop a nuclear weapon,” Starmer stated.

“But Iran is striking British interests nonetheless, and putting British people at huge risk,” he added.

According to Starmer, Gulf region allies have requested increased British assistance in defending their territories, and he considers it his responsibility to safeguard British lives.

The Prime Minister revealed that British military aircraft are already participating in coordinated defensive missions and have successfully intercepted Iranian attacks. However, he emphasized that eliminating the threat requires destroying the missiles at their origin points in storage facilities or launch platforms.

Starmer justified approving the American request as necessary for the “collective self-defence of long-standing friends and allies and protecting British lives” under international law.

North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un made a public appearance at a cement manufacturing facility on Sunday, where he urged workers to maintain production levels to achieve objectives established during a major party meeting, according to reports from state-controlled media KCNA on Monday.

The visit follows North Korea’s week-long Ninth Congress of the ruling Workers’ Party, which took place in late February. During that gathering, Kim stressed the significance of advancing construction initiatives, including development in Pyongyang’s Hwasong district, which he described as essential “for strengthening national power.”

According to KCNA’s reporting, Kim praised the cement facility’s workforce for boosting production levels that have enabled various construction endeavors to move forward.

Data from the Asan Institute for Policy Studies shows Kim’s documented public activities have increased significantly, rising from approximately 70 appearances in 2021 to 153 in 2025. This uptick reflects Kim’s renewed emphasis on economic development, with many of his visits focused on inspecting completed construction projects including hotels, apartment complexes, and industrial facilities.

Members of the Iranian community residing in Los Angeles are displaying varied responses to military action taken against Iran by the Trump administration.

Many within the Iranian diaspora in the city have expressed support for the strikes, though others are experiencing conflicted emotions about the developments.

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip — Palestinian residents express concern that escalating conflict involving Iran could shift global attention away from Gaza’s delicate situation, coming just days after President Trump secured billions in reconstruction pledges and worked to advance ceasefire negotiations.

Local inhabitants report anxiety about being forgotten and facing hardship, particularly after Israel shut down all border crossings following recent weekend military operations in the region of more than 2 million people.

Gaza residents interviewed by The Associated Press described hurrying to stores, haunted by memories of severe food shortages during Israel’s extended blockade last year. Portions of Gaza, particularly areas near Gaza City, experienced famine conditions.

“When the crossings shut down, everything was suspended from the market,” explained Osamda Hanoda from Khan Younis. “The prices go up, and people live in misery.”

The unstable truce between Israel and Hamas had previously allowed increased humanitarian assistance and other essential supplies to reach Gaza, though United Nations officials and aid organizations emphasize that greater quantities of medical supplies, fuel, and other necessities remain critically needed.

Currently, Palestinians have returned to stockpiling goods, with reports indicating dramatic price increases for essential items like flour.

“We are afraid of not finding milk” and diapers for children, along with food and water, explained Hassan Zanoun, who was forced to leave Rafah.

COGAT, Israel’s military organization managing civilian matters in Gaza, did not provide a response to inquiries Sunday. In their closure announcement, officials stated that food supplies within the territory “is expected to suffice for an extended period.” They also noted that the scheduled rotation of humanitarian personnel entering and leaving Gaza has been delayed.

The timing for reopening any crossing remains uncertain. Israeli officials have turned their focus to Iran, while citizens repeatedly sought shelter as warning sirens sounded.

The Gaza conflict originated with Hamas’s assault on Israel on October 7, 2023, and has been characterized throughout by limitations on people and goods permitted into the territory — along with frightened residents, including medical patients requiring treatment, attempting to leave.

Four weeks ago, Gaza’s primary Rafah border crossing with Egypt — the territory’s sole non-Israeli crossing — resumed operations, permitting limited and strictly monitored Palestinian movement in both directions. Cargo shipments remained prohibited.

Currently, all crossings have closed once more during the sacred Muslim fasting period of Ramadan, traditionally a time of voluntary deprivation, evening meals, and worship. Photographs have captured Palestinians gathering at lengthy tables amid destroyed buildings and rubble.

The Iranian strikes disrupted this pattern.

“All the people rushed to markets, and they all wanted to shop and hide,” described Abeer Awwad, who was forced to relocate from Gaza City, as news of explosions in Tehran began circulating.

Following the October 10 American-mediated ceasefire, intense combat has decreased, although routine Israeli military action persists in Gaza. The UN World Food Program has acknowledged improvements in the enclave but indicated in last week’s food security assessment that malnutrition continues.

“Households reported an average of two meals per day in February 2026, compared to one meal in July,” the report stated. “Still, one in five households consumed only one meal daily.”

Redirecting international focus back to Gaza presents difficulties for relief organizations and others as Iran seeks new leadership amid ongoing explosions in Tehran, Israel, and throughout the Middle East.

Trump has indicated that bombing operations in Iran may persist throughout the week or beyond, and cautioned Tehran of “A FORCE THAT HAS NEVER BEEN SEEN BEFORE!” should it intensify attacks.

This represents a significant shift from Trump’s introduction less than two weeks earlier of his new Board of Peace, a coalition of international leaders designed to conclude the Gaza war while aspiring to address conflicts in other regions.

Despite recent progress regarding Gaza, substantial obstacles persist for the ceasefire. These include dismantling Hamas’s military capabilities, organizing and positioning an international peacekeeping force, and enabling a recently formed Palestinian administrative committee intended to oversee Gaza to enter the territory.

As Middle Eastern attention shifts to another conflict, some Palestinians identify a potential advantage: Israel’s military faces divided priorities.

“The good thing is that the sound of booms and demolitions is rare now near the yellow line,” noted Ahmed Abu Jahl, from Gaza City, referring to the boundary separating Gaza and marking approximately half the territory under Israeli military control.

“Even the drones, they are still flying overhead, but their number has gone down.”

Nobel Peace Prize recipient María Corina Machado announced Sunday her intention to return to Venezuela within the coming weeks, while also declaring that new elections will take place in the South American nation.

The Venezuelan opposition leader, who received the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize, did not specify an exact timeline for her homecoming but stated that among her goals will be preparing “for a new and gigantic electoral victory.”

Through a social media post, Machado urged her followers to “strengthen the unity of Venezuelans that began with the primaries,” referring to the 2023 selection process where she emerged victorious as the unified opposition candidate to challenge former President Nicolás Maduro in elections.

Current Acting President Delcy Rodríguez, who has held power since Maduro and his spouse were detained during a U.S. military operation in January, has issued a warning that Machado “will have to answer” should she return to Venezuelan soil.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has outlined that Venezuela’s transformation must occur through stages including stabilization, economic rebuilding, and governmental transition. Rubio has not suggested that voting could occur in the immediate future.

The 58-year-old political leader, who plays a central role in Venezuela’s opposition movement, received the Nobel Peace Prize last year in recognition of her efforts to bring democratic change to Venezuela.

In a move that generated controversy, she later gave her Nobel medal to U.S. President Donald Trump following the military action that removed Maduro from power. Maduro now confronts drug trafficking accusations in American courts and has entered a not guilty plea.

Following Maduro’s declared victory in the July 2024 election, demonstrations broke out across the country, leading to extensive government crackdowns. Opposition groups maintained they possessed reliable proof that Edmundo González was the actual winner, who had taken Machado’s place on the ballot after authorities prevented her from running.

CAIRO — Mixed reactions have emerged across Iran following the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, with some citizens celebrating openly while others express deep concerns about their nation’s uncertain future amid ongoing U.S.-Israeli military strikes.

Khamenei, who ruled Iran’s Islamic Republic for almost forty years, was killed along with several high-ranking military officials during the first day of coordinated attacks. His death has shocked the Iranian population and triggered complicated feelings throughout the politically divided country.

A resident from northern Tehran shared his conflicted emotions about the leader’s death through encrypted messaging. “Inside, we are in party mode,” he said. “But unless we are safe from them, people are not celebrating publicly because they are ruthless and even more vengeful.”

Government officials quickly organized large memorial gatherings in multiple cities to demonstrate public mourning for the leader, whom state broadcasters called a martyr. Verified footage from state television revealed massive crowds filling central plazas in Isfahan and Yazd, displaying Iranian flags while shouting anti-American slogans.

Despite calls from President Donald Trump urging Iranians to “seize their government,” former protest participants told reporters that security forces maintain too strong a grip for new large-scale demonstrations. The Associated Press spoke with eight Iranian citizens on Sunday, with several requesting anonymity due to safety concerns amid unstable communications.

Tehran resident Golshan Fathi reported heavy Basij paramilitary presence throughout the capital’s streets. These forces previously participated in violently suppressing recent mass protests. A physician from Rasht described witnessing Basij members forcibly removing a driver from his vehicle after he honked his horn in celebration.

Fathi characterized Iranian society as currently existing “between hope and fear.”

The country remains sharply split politically. Last month witnessed hundreds of thousands marching nationwide, chanting anti-Khamenei slogans in what may have been the largest protests against clerical rule since 1979. Although authorities brutally suppressed these demonstrations, public resentment toward the government persists. However, significant numbers of supporters continue backing the system for various religious, social, and economic reasons.

Iranian leadership moved swiftly to demonstrate continued control following the deaths of Khamenei and other top officials including the defense minister, army chief, and senior security advisor. President Masoud Pezeshkian announced that a new leadership council had begun operations, while the foreign minister indicated a replacement supreme leader would be selected within days.

Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf addressed the nation on state television Sunday, emphasizing that government and military operations don’t rely on specific individuals. “We prepared ourselves for these moments and set plans for all scenarios,” he stated, “even for after the martyrdom of our dear Imam Khamenei.”

Official media confirmed Khamenei’s death early Sunday morning, prompting immediate celebrations in certain areas. Verified online videos showed crowds cheering and dancing while vehicles honked horns in Karaj, near Tehran. Both Fathi and the Rasht doctor reported hearing celebratory sounds from nearby buildings.

The physician described the experience in a voice message: “It was one of the best nights, if not the best night, of our lives. It was actually my first time ever smoking a cigarette. We didn’t sleep at all. And we don’t even feel tired.”

Throughout Sunday, Iranians confronted the harsh reality of living under bombardment with no clear end in sight. Explosions in Tehran created massive smoke plumes over government building areas. Iranian officials report over 200 casualties from the strikes, including at least 165 deaths from an attack on a girls’ school in the country’s southern region.

Tehran residents rushed to grocery stores Sunday, clearing shelves of bottled water, bread, eggs, and milk. Extended lines at gas stations throughout the capital suggested either fuel shortage fears or evacuation plans. State television showed heavy highway traffic with bumper-to-bumper vehicles as families attempted to reach northern provinces, while others chose to remain home for safety.

Iran launched retaliatory missiles at expanding targets across Israel and Gulf Arab nations, while Israel promised continuous strikes against Iranian leadership and military installations.

Fathi expressed concern that the Islamic Republic might maintain power, “leading to chaos or even causing the splitting of the nation. But maybe, maybe from this morning, that new page for Iran where everything changes has begun. People are hopeful,” she said. During the conversation, explosion sounds echoed through the capital. “Right now, you see, Israel is hitting us. Fighters have violated our country’s airspace and are freely bombing us and we are just sitting here.”

Many Iranians remain traumatized by last month’s violent crackdown that killed thousands. This brutality and subsequent mass arrests have deterred many from returning to the streets. Others question U.S. and Israeli motives or worry about potential national chaos and fragmentation.

The Rasht doctor reflected on the situation: “I don’t think that the people have their determination in their own hands yet. This is a foreign war at the end of the day. But if the regime is so weakened and then another call for protests is made, this is another story.”

Reza Mehrabi, 67, cautioned against premature celebrations over Iranian leadership deaths. He recalled similar jubilation following the 1979 revolution that removed the Shah and established Islamic Republic rule. “I saw some people were happy about the losses, but when I remember 1979 revolution and its aftermath, I need more consideration to understand if the nation and the country is on the right path.”

A 27-year-old Tehran woman described a strike landing just hundreds of yards from her home, terrifying her with the blast. “I have no idea which direction we are heading,” she said. “I wish all these things were just a bad dream that vanishes when I wake up.”

Academic experts suggest that launching new mass demonstrations may prove challenging despite Trump’s encouragement for Iranian uprising.

“The reality is, the Iranian people don’t have the means to displace the Islamic Republic on their own,” explained Esfandyar Batmanghelidj, an adjunct professor at Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies-Europe.

He predicted the strikes might embolden some citizens, but many will hesitate to protest again “because the regime retains its repressive capacity and there should be no doubts it would be willing to use violence again against protesters.”

“Even within families and within neighborhoods there may be very disparate views” regarding Khamenei’s killing, particularly because foreign powers carried it out, he noted.

Arang Keshavarzian, a Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies professor at New York University, observed that both during last summer’s conflict with Israel and current bombardment, “the political and military apparatus has been hit hard, but they have replaced people and maintained their cohesion.”

During the 1979 Islamic revolution, Iranians across society sustained massive protests for months, ultimately forcing the shah to flee. “But we are far from the 1979 model in which Iranians organized strikes and nationwide organizations of merchants, students, and clerics,” Keshavarzian said.

“Just because Iranians have many grievances and make claims on the state on a daily basis, it does not necessarily mean that this will scale up to a social revolution,” he concluded. “And bombing Iran does not change this.”

Massive demonstrations swept through major Brazilian cities on Sunday as thousands of backers of jailed former President Jair Bolsonaro gathered to oppose the current administration of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

The rallies, which drew crowds wearing Brazil’s national colors of yellow and green, took place in major metropolitan areas including São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and the nation’s capital, Brasília. Organizers aimed to generate support for conservative candidates ahead of the presidential election scheduled for October.

Speaking to followers on Instagram before the demonstrations began, Flávio Bolsonaro, the former president’s son who has been selected to challenge Lula, declared the importance of the moment. “This year will be decisive for all Brazilians,” he stated. “We’re one step away from succeeding at rescuing our Brazil.”

The younger Bolsonaro has been working to unite right-wing voters behind his campaign to face Lula, who has announced his intention to seek a fourth term in office, though not consecutive.

The former president remains incarcerated, currently serving a 27-year prison term for his role in attempting to overthrow the government following his 2022 election loss to Lula. Many of his followers maintain that the imprisoned far-right politician is being targeted for political reasons.

State legislator Douglas Ruas dos Santos, speaking at the Rio demonstration, expressed optimism about future electoral prospects. “We believe that 2026 will be the year of the turning point. We have a project led by President Bolsonaro, which was entrusted to Flávio Bolsonaro,” he told the crowd.

Polling data indicates a tight race between Flávio Bolsonaro and Lula in a potential head-to-head matchup.

Research conducted by the University of São Paulo and the nonprofit organization More in Common estimated attendance at approximately 20,000 people in São Paulo and close to 5,000 in Rio de Janeiro. The studies carry a margin of error of 12 percentage points.

Demonstrators in São Paulo filled the city’s primary thoroughfare, Paulista Avenue, carrying numerous signs demanding “Free Bolsonaro.” Large inflatable displays showed Lula dressed in prison garb while depicting Bolsonaro wearing the presidential sash. Some participants also displayed American flags during the march.

During his address to supporters, Flávio Bolsonaro directed sharp criticism toward the Supreme Court, claiming the judicial body was “destroying democracy.” A Supreme Court panel had issued the prison sentence against his father in September of last year.

“The Brazilian people will have the opportunity to choose candidates who are committed to restoring our democracy,” he proclaimed to the assembled crowds.

Among those attending the Rio protest at Copacabana was Igor Jardim, a 45-year-old military officer who said Brazil needed to “wake up” — echoing the demonstration’s official theme, “Wake up Brazil.”

Jardim voiced his support for Flávio’s presidential ambitions, saying, “He has good proposals, he has a motivation that I think is appropriate for this, and he is our hope.”

For decades, the United Arab Emirates has marketed itself to international visitors as a tranquil, secure destination where wealthy travelers can enjoy luxury living without paying taxes.

That carefully crafted reputation suffered a devastating blow over the weekend when Iranian missiles and drones bombarded Dubai, igniting fires at a luxury hotel, endangering the world’s tallest skyscraper, and causing one death plus seven injuries at Abu Dhabi’s airport.

The attacks represent Tehran’s retaliation following significant military operations by American and Israeli forces, bringing terror and disorder to a region that had maintained remarkable stability until Saturday.

“This is Dubai’s ultimate nightmare, as its very essence depended on being a safe oasis in a troubled region,” Cinzia Bianco, an expert on the Persian Gulf at the European Council on Foreign Relations wrote on X. “There might be a way to be resilient, but there is no going back.”

Government leaders attempted to calm both locals and tourists by emphasizing the country’s world-class air defense capabilities, which successfully intercepted numerous drones and missiles.

“I know it’s a scary time for a lot of the residents,” Reem Al Hashimy, minister of state for international cooperation, told CNN. “We don’t hear these types of loud sounds. But at the same time, those are sounds of interception. And where there has been damage — that has been primarily debris.”

The weekend violence has damaged the UAE’s diplomatic efforts to reduce friction with Iran, despite longstanding mistrust of their Persian Gulf neighbor. Following the bombardment, the Emirates shut down its airspace Saturday, closed its Tehran embassy Sunday, and recalled diplomatic personnel.

“This decision reflects its firm and unwavering position against any aggression that threatens its security and sovereignty,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement. It called the attacks an “aggressive and provocative approach” that threatens the region.

The petroleum-wealthy nation of seven emirates has built its economy around attracting affluent tourists, entrepreneurs, and expatriates seeking tax-free luxury living in a desert paradise beside the ocean. Foreign nationals make up nearly 90% of the country’s estimated 11 million inhabitants.

Property developers market sparkling skyscrapers and waterfront mansions to affluent Europeans and Americans by highlighting favorable weather and pro-business regulations, while advertising the UAE as among the planet’s most secure destinations.

However, after hundreds of drone and missile strikes, that stellar safety record now faces serious questions.

“Last night was pretty surreal,” said British racehorse trainer Jamie Osborne, who was in Dubai for the Emirates Super Saturday. “You’re standing in the paddock watching missiles get shot through the sky.”

Defense officials reported Sunday that air defense systems had neutralized 165 ballistic missiles, two cruise missiles and more than 540 Iranian drones during the two-day assault.

Although authorities claimed they stopped all aerial attacks Saturday, falling debris from destroyed weapons ignited fires at several of Dubai’s most recognizable sites.

Videos and images shared on social media revealed flames outside the Fairmont hotel on the exclusive artificial Palm Jumeirah island, fire damage to the renowned Burj Al Arab hotel’s exterior, and smoke billowing near the Burj Khalifa, the 2,723-foot tall tower.

Blazes also erupted at Dubai’s Jebel Ali Port, the city’s primary maritime facility and crucial shipping center, while Dubai International Airport sustained damage and four workers were hurt, the Dubai Media Office reported.

Kristy Ellmer, visiting from New Hampshire on business, said she avoided her hotel windows but felt reasonably secure despite the constant explosions.

“You hear a lot of explosions at times, you know, there’s hundreds of them,” she said. “It’s unsettling. We’re not used to hearing bombs, right, or missiles.”

Louise Herrle, an American vacationer whose return flight from Dubai was cancelled, explained this marked her third attempt to visit the region. Earlier trips were scrapped due to the COVID-19 outbreak and Hamas’s October 2023 assault on Israel.

After completing their Abu Dhabi and Dubai vacation, she expressed reluctance to return to the Emirates or surrounding area.

“I would probably be inclined to avoid this part of the world when there’s increased tensions, it just explodes so quickly,” Herrle said.

Perhaps, she added, “the universe was trying to tell us something.”

Amazon Web Services experienced a significant disruption at one of its Middle Eastern data centers on Sunday after debris collided with the facility in the United Arab Emirates, causing electrical sparks and igniting a blaze that required emergency response.

The incident comes as the UAE faces ongoing security challenges from Iran’s recent retaliatory attacks using missiles and drones, which targeted the country’s aviation hubs, shipping facilities, and civilian neighborhoods following military actions by the United States and Israel against Iranian targets.

AWS officials declined to specify whether the data center incident was related to the regional military strikes when questioned by Reuters reporters.

The company issued a statement detailing the emergency: “At around 4:30 AM PST, one of our AvailabilityZones (mec1-az2) was impacted by objects that struck the datacenter, creating sparks and fire.”

Amazon defines an Availability Zone as a cluster of interconnected physical data centers that operate as isolated units within broader regional networks to ensure service reliability.

Emergency responders from the local fire department disconnected electrical power to the damaged facility as crews battled the flames, according to AWS officials.

The cloud computing giant warned customers that restoring network connections to the affected zone would require several hours of work, though other UAE-based data centers continued normal operations throughout the incident.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on Sunday for recent developments in Iran following U.S. and Israeli military actions to be leveraged appropriately for the benefit of Iranian citizens who have endured government brutality.

During his evening video address, Zelenskyy accused Iranian leadership of killing “tens of thousands of people in the last couple of months alone” while suppressing domestic protests.

The Ukrainian leader argued that Iran has “predetermined the way it is treated” through its decision to provide attack drones to Russia for use in Moscow’s ongoing four-year conflict with Ukraine, while also “fomenting wars in the region.”

“It is important that the this chance for changes in Iran be used properly,” Zelenskyy stated. “The Iranian people were on their own for a long time, enduring violence while standing against the Iranian regime.”

Zelenskyy reiterated his previous assertion from Saturday following the beginning of the strikes that American determination “brings results.”

The Ukrainian president expressed gratitude to “everyone who is trying to prevent the spread of war” and suggested Russia should take note of what has occurred with Iranian leadership, emphasizing that “justice is finally served in the end.”

On Saturday, Zelenskyy revealed that Moscow has launched more than 57,000 Iranian-manufactured Shahed-type drones against Ukraine throughout the duration of the war.

European Union leaders united Sunday in demanding immediate de-escalation of the growing conflict involving Iran, following an emergency meeting of foreign ministers from all 27 member nations.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas released a statement on behalf of the entire bloc, declaring: “We call for maximum restraint, protection of civilians and full respect of international law, including the principles of the United Nations Charter, and international humanitarian law.”

The urgent video conference among EU foreign ministers was organized after military strikes were exchanged between the United States and Israel against Iran, with Tehran retaliating with attacks targeting Israel, U.S. military forces, and Gulf region nations.

The European statement strongly criticized Tehran’s actions, stating: “Iran’s attacks and violation of sovereignty of a number of countries in the region are inexcusable. Iran must refrain from indiscriminate military strikes.”

Economic implications weighed heavily on European leaders’ minds as they warned the conflict “must not lead to an escalation that could threaten the Middle East, Europe and beyond, with unpredictable consequences, also in the economic sphere.”

The EU specifically highlighted concerns about maritime trade routes, emphasizing that “the disruption of critical waterways, like the Strait of Hormuz, must be avoided.”

The unified statement masked significant disagreements among European leaders regarding the military actions taken by U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The compromise language reflected the diverse perspectives within the bloc representing approximately 450 million Europeans.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz took a measured approach Sunday, suggesting this wasn’t the appropriate time to criticize allies and partners. However, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez took a sharper stance, having “rejected” the U.S. and Israeli military action Saturday, arguing it “contributes to a more uncertain and hostile international order.”

European diplomats privately acknowledged their limited ability to influence the rapidly developing situation, despite potential major consequences for the continent.

“Not too many options, I am afraid. Certainly not short-term,” one Western European official admitted.

Another EU diplomat expressed frustration about Europe’s position, noting that Europeans are “just bystanders, nobody has leverage with Trump.”

WASHINGTON — The U.S. military confirmed Sunday that three American service members lost their lives and five others suffered serious injuries during ongoing military operations involving Iran, representing the first American fatalities in the escalating conflict with the Islamic Republic.

U.S. Central Command, responsible for Middle East operations, released the casualty information on social media platform X without specifying the exact timing or location of the incidents. Military officials noted that additional personnel received minor injuries from shrapnel and concussions but are expected to resume their duties.

Describing the circumstances as constantly changing, Central Command indicated they would wait 24 hours before releasing the names of the fallen service members to allow time for family notifications.

Military officials also refuted Iranian assertions that ballistic missiles had hit the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier, stating on X that Iran’s “missiles launched didn’t even come close.”

President Donald Trump had previously cautioned that American personnel might face danger during the mission.

“The lives of courageous American heroes may be lost, and we may have casualties,” Trump stated in a video message released Saturday morning. “That often happens in war. But we’re doing this not for now. We’re doing this for the future.”

After combined U.S.-Israeli operations resulted in the deaths of Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other high-ranking officials, Iranian forces have responded by attacking American military installations in Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard has issued warnings about launching what they describe as their “most intense offensive operation” ever against Israeli and American military targets.

Prior to these strikes, Trump had assembled the most substantial U.S. military deployment in the Middle East seen in recent decades. The Lincoln’s arrival with three guided-missile destroyers in late January increased naval presence in the region.

The USS Gerald R. Ford, the world’s most advanced aircraft carrier, along with four destroyer escorts, was subsequently ordered from the Caribbean to the Middle East theater.

The Ford had previously participated in the U.S. operation in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of leader Nicolás Maduro, who was transported to New York to face drug trafficking accusations. That January mission resulted in no American deaths but left seven U.S. personnel with gunshot and shrapnel wounds.

During last week’s State of the Union address, Trump presented the Medal of Honor to one of the injured service members from that operation. The president identified Army Chief Warrant Officer 5 Eric Slover as the pilot who commanded the primary CH-47 Chinook helicopter during the assault on the “heavily protected military fortress” where Maduro was located.

Trump has authorized multiple military actions during his current presidency, including operations against Islamic State fighters in Syria following an ambush in December that killed two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter.

American forces have also conducted strikes against IS militants in Nigeria after Trump criticized that nation’s government for inadequately protecting Christian communities from terrorist attacks.

The death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has thrown the Islamic Republic into unprecedented turmoil, creating the nation’s most serious crisis since the 1979 revolution. The country now grapples with active warfare within its borders, an uncertain leadership transition, and growing domestic pressures.

However, five regional experts and officials warn against expecting Iran’s government to quickly fall apart. They explain that Iran’s political structure was intentionally designed to distribute power among religious institutions, security forces, and various power networks rather than depending on one person.

Danny Citrinowicz from the Atlantic Council explained, “The Iranian system is bigger than one man – removing Khamenei could harden the regime rather than weaken it.”

Ali Hashem, who researches at Royal Holloway, University of London, emphasized this point: “Iran was built to survive the loss of a leader. The danger is not a vacuum. It’s whether war and pressure push the system past the point where that resilience holds.”

The powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) sits at the heart of this durability, widely considered Iran’s actual power center. The future balance of control depends on whether the Guards become weakened by military defeats and internal conflicts, or instead become more entrenched while adopting a tougher, security-focused governing style.

Alex Vatanka from the Middle East Institute posed the crucial question: “The real question is whether Khamenei’s death takes the air out of the IRGC – the force that actually runs Iran – or whether they close ranks and harden. If rank-and-file officials decide there is no future here, I’m not sure even the Guards can keep the regime together.”

Regional sources indicate the Guards are unlikely to change their core ideology since their mission centers on defending the revolution. However, they could adapt their tactics if the system’s survival requires it.

One regional official noted, “They may evolve into a less hardline force…there are pragmatic mid-level members open to reducing tensions with the United States if necessary for the system’s survival.” This flexible pragmatism positions the IRGC as both the system’s protector and its most important indicator.

Jonathan Panikoff, formerly a U.S. deputy national intelligence officer for the Near East, believes Washington and Israel are pursuing a strategy designed not just to weaken Iran’s military response abilities, but to destabilize the government by eliminating senior leaders and testing lower-level loyalty.

He said this approach’s effectiveness would ultimately depend on whether security forces step back or switch sides if public protests return.

In the immediate period following Khamenei’s death, officials say Tehran’s main focus is demonstrating stability. Iran’s command structure remains operational despite significant pressure. While missile forces, air defenses, and top military leaders have been targeted, the system has managed to withstand these attacks so far.

Officials identify three critical challenges Iran now confronts: whether its security apparatus can maintain control under attack; whether the troubled leadership can select a successor or shift to a new governing approach; and whether an unsettled population might push the crisis toward deeper political breakdown.

Ali Larijani, a seasoned Iranian politician serving as secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, announced Sunday that a temporary leadership council would manage the transition period following Khamenei’s death.

Leaders like Larijani and Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, who serves as parliament speaker, are viewed as potential transitional figures, representing a security-focused yet pragmatic approach.

Iran faces a succession process it has only experienced once before, and under much more stable circumstances. The constitution gives this responsibility to the Assembly of Experts, consisting of 88 clerical members. However, analysts suggest wartime conditions might force a more improvised solution – either a rapidly chosen successor or temporary collective leadership dominated by security officials.

Analysts say Khamenei worked to influence this outcome before his death. After a 12-day conflict with Israel in June that targeted him and his close associates, he identified preferred successors and ensured critical military positions had backup commanders ready.

His preferred candidates included judiciary chief Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei and Hassan Khomeini, a moderate cleric who is the grandson of the Islamic Republic’s founding leader.

Officials suggest the clerical assembly might postpone selecting Khamenei’s replacement due to concerns about assassination risks.

Israel indicates its military campaign will continue. Two sources familiar with the operations say Israel plans to keep targeting political and security institutions connected to Iran’s government, along with ballistic missile systems and launchers, attempting to weaken the state and create conditions for regime change.

One source revealed Israel wants the campaign to persist at least until Iran’s missile capabilities are eliminated, though they worry it might end early if Washington negotiates an agreement with Tehran.

Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesperson Oren Marmorstein told Reuters in Tel Aviv: “The objective is very clear: to remove an existential threat to the State of Israel. That threat is the Iranian regime. We have no quarrel with the Iranian people.”

A senior official with direct access to joint Israeli-U.S. military planning said it’s premature to predict Iran’s future political structure, noting the campaign remains in early stages with outcomes depending on ground developments.

The official stated Iranians must control their own future, adding this might become easier once the U.S. and Israel achieve “air supremacy” over Iran.

Continuing the pace and strength of attacks was viewed as essential for exploiting divisions within Iran and the IRGC after senior leaders’ deaths, the official added, though declined to detail what command breakdown might involve.

The conflict has created additional dangers. With foreign military forces operating in Iranian airspace and the state’s enforcement capabilities under pressure, analysts warn unrest could worsen if major anti-government demonstrations return, potentially causing security force defections and elevating civilian reform advocates.

WASHINGTON — Iran’s emerging leadership has indicated readiness for diplomatic discussions with the United States following a significant U.S.-Israeli military operation that resulted in the death of the country’s supreme leader and other top-ranking officials, according to a senior White House official speaking Sunday.

The administration official, requesting anonymity due to the sensitive nature of ongoing discussions, revealed that President Donald Trump expressed he is “eventually” prepared for dialogue while emphasizing that current military actions “continues unabated.” The official did not identify who comprises Iran’s potential new leadership or specify how their diplomatic interest was communicated.

Speaking to The Atlantic on Sunday, Trump confirmed his intention to engage with Iran’s new governing structure. “They want to talk, and I have agreed to talk, so I will be talking to them,” he stated, refusing to provide details about when such conversations might occur.

This diplomatic possibility emerges alongside fresh information regarding the extensive preparation behind the coordinated U.S.-Israeli assault and specific Iranian targets that were struck.

According to U.S. Central Command, B-2 stealth aircraft targeted Iran’s ballistic missile installations using 2,000-pound munitions. This strategy echoes the military’s June approach when Trump authorized B-2 bombers to strike three critical Iranian nuclear facilities.

During last week’s State of the Union address, Trump asserted that Iran had been developing ballistic missiles capable of reaching American territory — a rationale he reiterated Saturday while announcing the Iranian bombardment had commenced.

Iran has not confirmed efforts to construct or pursue intercontinental ballistic missile capabilities. However, the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency stated in a public report last year that Iran could potentially develop an operationally effective intercontinental ballistic missile by 2035 “should Tehran decide to pursue the capability.”

Prior to the attacks, the CIA spent months monitoring the whereabouts of senior Iranian officials, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, according to someone with knowledge of the operation.

This intelligence was provided to Israeli counterparts, and strike timing was partially adjusted based on information about Iranian leaders’ locations, according to the source, who lacked authorization for public comment and requested anonymity.

The intelligence collaboration between the U.S. and Israel demonstrates the extensive preparation underlying the strikes, which extended into a second day Sunday after Khamenei’s death created uncertainty about the Islamic Republic’s future and heightened regional conflict risks.

The New York Times previously reported on the CIA’s pre-strike activities during the Israeli-U.S. operations.

Senator Tom Cotton, who chairs the Senate Intelligence Committee, refused to discuss specifics Sunday when questioned on CBS’ “Face the Nation” about intelligence sharing with Israel. However, he noted that monitoring the supreme leader’s movements and those of other hostile nation leaders “is obviously one of the highest priorities of our intelligence community.”

“Clearly, this operation is driven by intelligence collected by Israel and the United States that has once again proven that our nations have capabilities that no other nation on Earth has,” stated Cotton, R-Ark.

The U.S. routinely exchanges intelligence with allies including Israel. These partnerships and the precision of resulting intelligence often prove essential not only for military operation success but also for public backing.

Virginia Senator Mark Warner, the committee’s ranking Democrat, told The Associated Press that historically, “our working relationship with the Mossad and Israel is really strong.” Mossad represents Israel’s intelligence service.

Warner expressed significant concerns about the strikes’ justification, Trump’s long-range conflict strategy, and potential dangers facing U.S. military personnel. The military reported Sunday that three American soldiers died and five sustained serious injuries during the Iran operation.

“No tears will be shed over their leadership being eliminated but always the question is: OK, what next?” Warner remarked.

The Associated Press has begun classifying recent military confrontations involving the United States, Israel, and Iran as warfare, citing the scale and severity of the ongoing hostilities.

American and Israeli forces targeted critical military installations and eliminated Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei along with additional high-ranking officials. Tehran responded with missile and drone attacks against Israeli territory and Gulf Arab nations housing American military personnel, while surviving Iranian leadership has promised retribution for Khamenei’s killing. These exchanges suggest that eliminating Khamenei, coupled with President Donald Trump’s demands for regime change in the Islamic Republic, may trigger extended fighting throughout the Middle East region.

According to Merriam-Webster’s definition, war encompasses ‘A state of usually open and declared armed hostile conflict between states or nations,’ or ‘a state of hostility, conflict, or antagonism.’

While no nation has formally announced a declaration of war, the military operations conducted by Washington and Tel Aviv, along with Tehran’s response, satisfy these parameters. The Trump administration’s decision to launch attacks alongside Israeli leadership, resulting in significant destruction and loss of life, justifies characterizing these actions and Iran’s countermeasures as warfare. Trump has personally employed the term war when discussing this confrontation.

Accurate terminology matters when reporting on military confrontations between sovereign states.

Occasionally, unilateral strikes occur without subsequent escalation, or disputes begin but fail to intensify. Labeling such scenarios as ‘war’ might reduce the term’s gravity. Consequently, when genuine warfare emerges, audiences may fail to grasp its seriousness.

The Associated Press issued editorial guidance regarding Israel’s attacks on Iran in June 2025, adopting ‘war’ terminology to characterize the hostilities following initial strikes and Iranian retaliation. The 12-day conflict significantly damaged Iran’s aerial defense systems, military command structure, and nuclear capabilities through Israeli and American bombardments.

The news organization similarly adopted war terminology for the Russia-Ukraine conflict and Israel-Hamas fighting within days or weeks of combat initiation.

Editorial decisions in these instances weighed casualty figures, combat intensity, each nation’s participation level, and how countries themselves characterized their conflicts.

The Associated Press capitalizes ‘war’ exclusively when part of official designations, which currently don’t exist for this conflict.

AP’s war terminology decisions occur as events unfold. News leadership and standards editors continuously assess developments to determine if modifications are warranted.

Currently, the fighting level constitutes warfare between these nations, regardless of future developments. Should hostilities cease quickly, AP would maintain that these countries had engaged in war.

Two eyewitnesses confirmed on Sunday that an Israeli military attack targeted a medical facility located on Gandhi Street in Tehran, according to reports from Dubai.

The witnesses described extensive damage to the hospital building following the strike, with medical staff working to evacuate patients from the facility in the aftermath of the attack.

Currency markets opened Monday with significant shifts as investors responded to escalating Middle East tensions following weekend military operations between the United States, Israel, and Iran that resulted in the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The Swiss franc and Japanese yen, both considered safe investments during times of uncertainty, strengthened as global markets reopened. Meanwhile, the euro declined 0.34% to $1.1776, down from approximately $1.18 during Friday’s late New York trading session. The European currency also dropped 0.5% against the Swiss franc to 0.9039, marking its weakest position since 2015.

The U.S. dollar weakened by 0.26% to 155.65 yen and fell 0.3% compared to the Swiss franc, though it gained ground against both the British pound and Australian dollar.

The military actions and subsequent Iranian counterattacks have created widespread concern throughout the Middle East region, impacting industries ranging from shipping and aviation to energy markets. Businesses operating in the Gulf region, a crucial global trade corridor, are bracing for potential disruptions and increased operational costs.

Energy market reactions will likely determine how stocks, bonds, and currencies respond to the unfolding situation in Iran going forward.

Market analysts anticipate oil prices will surge significantly when trading begins Monday, with over-the-counter markets already showing increases of approximately 10%. Gold, another traditional safe-haven investment, is expected to rise sharply while stock markets are projected to decline.

Regional stock exchanges felt the impact Sunday, with most Gulf markets falling and Boursa Kuwait halting operations entirely after Iranian retaliatory strikes targeted American installations in nearby Gulf cities, heightening concerns about extended regional conflict.

Currency markets were among the first to respond to weekend developments as investors worked to assess potential outcomes from the escalating situation.

“We see two scenarios: first, contained disruptions to global energy markets, with limited implications for the world economy. Second, a more protracted, broader conflict leading to an oil shock,” explained Lombard Odier chief economist Samy Chaar.

“We believe that the first case is playing out right now,” Chaar noted, while warning that in a more severe scenario, “commodities, bond yields, currencies, oil-sensitive equity sectors, inflation expectations, monetary policy paths – and in case of a protracted closure (of the Strait of Hormuz), economic growth – would all be affected.”

Brent crude oil prices jumped 8% to 10% higher at approximately $80 per barrel in over-the-counter trading Sunday, according to traders. Oil prices had already climbed Friday to $73, reaching their highest level since July.

Iran plays a significant role in global energy production and sits across from the oil-rich Arabian Peninsula, separated by the Strait of Hormuz. This strategic waterway handles roughly 20% of worldwide oil shipments.

President Donald Trump declared on Sunday through social media that American military forces are systematically destroying Iran’s naval fleet, claiming nine Iranian vessels have been eliminated with operations continuing against remaining ships.

The president’s statement came as Pentagon operations escalated against Iranian military targets, with B-2 stealth aircraft launching from United States bases to attack fortified underground missile installations using 2,000-pound ordnance.

According to Trump’s announcement, American strikes have also devastated Iran’s naval command center, causing extensive damage to the facility.

Iranian forces are responding with extensive missile and drone counterattacks, according to military officials. U.S. Central Command confirmed the first combat fatalities on Sunday, with three American service members killed and five others sustaining serious injuries during the ongoing conflict.

The president, who has stated his intention to completely eliminate Iran’s naval capabilities, predicted the destruction of all remaining Iranian warships.

“They will soon be floating at the bottom of the sea,” Trump stated.

“Other than that, their Navy is doing very well!” he added.

BERLIN – Germany has confirmed that Israel’s official government aircraft has been moved to Berlin’s airport as a security precaution, following joint U.S. and Israeli military operations that resulted in the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and escalated regional tensions.

According to German government officials, the aircraft left Israeli airspace Saturday afternoon and spent time circling over Mediterranean waters before making its way to Germany that evening, based on flight tracking data from Flightradar24.

German sources confirmed that Israeli authorities had pre-registered the flight and that the aircraft carried only flight crew during the journey to Berlin.

The relocated aircraft, known as the “Wing of Zion,” is Israel’s official state plane – a modified Boeing 767 that has been outfitted with specialized equipment for government operations and official diplomatic missions.

Venezuelan opposition figure Maria Corina Machado announced through social media posts on Sunday that she intends to head back to her homeland within the next few weeks.

The 58-year-old industrial engineer departed Venezuela in December to travel to Oslo where she accepted the Nobel Peace Prize. She is presently staying in the United States.

Questions about when Machado might return have intensified following the January 3 capture of former Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro by U.S. authorities.

Venezuelan officials are currently investigating Machado, and Interim President Delcy Rodriguez has stated that she must “answer to Venezuela” regarding her backing of U.S. military intervention against Caracas.

BERLIN, March 1 — German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is urging the United States and European allies to begin developing comprehensive strategies for Iran’s future following military strikes that resulted in the death of the nation’s supreme leader.

Speaking to the press, Merz expressed his administration’s support for American objectives aimed at halting Tehran’s nuclear weapons development and bringing an end to what he described as Iran’s “destructive game” in the region, though he cautioned about potential consequences.

“This is not without risk. We do not know how far the region will be drawn into escalation by Iran’s harsh counterstrikes,” Merz warned during his remarks to journalists.

While acknowledging some concerns about the American and Israeli military actions, the German leader emphasized that criticism of allies was inappropriate at this time, despite existing doubts about the approach.

“We want to work with our partners in the U.S., Israel, the region, and Europe to develop an agenda for the day after,” Merz stated.

The Chancellor outlined four primary objectives for the post-strike period: maintaining regional peace and stability, compelling Iran to abandon its nuclear and ballistic missile programs, contributing to Iran’s stable future, and enabling the Iranian people to determine their own destiny.

Merz additionally announced that Germany would not permit any attacks against American or Israeli facilities within German borders.

A sailor lost his life when a suspected projectile struck an oil tanker sailing in waters off Oman, according to the vessel’s management company.

The incident occurred Friday when the Marshall Islands-registered tanker MKD VYOM was hit while navigating near the coast of Muscat, Oman, according to V.Ships Asia.

“The vessel suffered an explosion and subsequent fire after being struck by a suspected projectile while off the coast of Muscat, Oman on 1 March,” the shipping management firm stated.

The company confirmed the tragic loss of life in their official statement: “It is with great sadness that we confirm one crew member, who was in the engine room at the time of the incident, has died.”

The fatal strike occurred as the product tanker was conducting routine operations in the region’s shipping lanes.

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump revealed Sunday that Iran’s newly configured leadership has expressed interest in opening dialogue with the United States, according to his recent interview with Atlantic magazine.

Speaking from his Florida home, Trump confirmed his willingness to engage in these discussions. “They want to talk, and I have agreed to talk, so I will be talking to them. They should have done it sooner. They should have given what was very practical and easy to do sooner. They waited too long,” the president stated during the interview.

The president did not provide details about which Iranian officials he would meet with or specify the timing of these potential conversations, whether they might occur Sunday or Monday.

The diplomatic opening comes as Iran undergoes a significant leadership transition. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian announced that a temporary governing council has been established, consisting of himself, the head of the judiciary, and a representative from the influential Guardians Council. This arrangement was put in place following the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Trump noted that previous diplomatic contacts have been disrupted by recent events, with some former negotiating partners no longer available.

“Most of those people are gone. Some of the people we were dealing with are gone, because that was a big — that was a big hit,” Trump explained to Atlantic writer Michael Scherer. “They should have done it sooner, Michael. They could have made a deal. They should’ve done it sooner. They played too cute.”

Digital warfare accompanied the recent joint United States-Israeli military operations against Iran, with cybersecurity specialists documenting widespread online attacks that occurred early Saturday morning.

The cyber offensive compromised several Iranian news platforms and infiltrated BadeSaba, a widely-used religious calendar application downloaded by more than 5 million people. The compromised app displayed threatening messages stating “It’s time for reckoning” while encouraging military personnel to abandon their weapons and side with civilians.

Attempts to reach BadeSaba’s top executive were unsuccessful, and US Cyber Command representatives have not yet provided comment on the situation.

Iran’s internet infrastructure suffered major disruptions, with connectivity plummeting dramatically at 7:06 AM GMT and again at 11:47 AM GMT, leaving only limited online access available, according to Doug Madory, who serves as director of internet analysis at Kentik and shared the information on X.

Security researcher and DarkCell cybersecurity firm founder Hamid Kashfi explained that targeting BadeSaba was strategically effective since government loyalists frequently use the application and typically hold stronger religious beliefs.

The Jerusalem Post reported Saturday that the digital operations also targeted various Iranian governmental services and military infrastructure to prevent a unified Iranian counterattack, though Reuters has been unable to independently confirm these reports.

“As Iran considers its options, the likelihood increases that proxy groups and hacktivists may take action, including cyberattacks, against Israeli and U.S.-affiliated military, commercial, or civilian targets,” warned Rafe Pilling, who directs threat intelligence at cybersecurity company Sophos.

Pilling noted that potential retaliation might involve republishing old data breaches as new incidents, basic attempts to infiltrate internet-connected industrial systems, and possibly direct offensive cyber operations.

Cynthia Kaiser, a former senior FBI cyber official now serving as senior vice president at anti-ransomware company Halcyon, reported increased Middle Eastern activity and observed calls to action from recognized pro-Iranian cyber operatives known for conducting hack-and-leak campaigns, ransomware deployments, and distributed denial-of-service attacks that overwhelm internet services.

CrowdStrike senior vice president of counter adversary operations Adam Meyers suggested the current digital activity might signal more aggressive future operations.

“CrowdStrike is already seeing activity consistent with Iranian-aligned threat actors and hacktivist groups conducting reconnaissance and initiating DDoS attacks,” Meyers stated.

Cybersecurity company Anomali reported in Saturday analysis shared with Reuters that Iranian state-sponsored hacking organizations had already begun executing “wiper” attacks designed to destroy data on Israeli targets before the military strikes occurred.

Despite US cyber officials frequently citing Iran alongside Russia and China as major threats to American digital infrastructure, Tehran’s past responses to attacks within its borders have been relatively restrained.

Following US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities in June, there was minimal evidence of the disruptive cyber retaliation often associated with Iran’s digital warfare capabilities, except for brief service interruptions in Albania’s capital city of Tirana, according to media coverage.

MILAN (AP) — At Milan Fashion Week’s closing event Sunday, Silvana Armani stepped forward with understated assurance to debut her inaugural signature line, marking the first collection created independently of her legendary uncle Giorgio Armani’s guidance.

The runway show drew notable attendees including actress Andie MacDowell, 67, who occupied a front-row seat for this historic moment in the Giorgio Armani fashion empire’s evolution, coming after the founder’s passing on September 4 at 91 years old.

“One of the things that is really important to me is representing women of a certain age, and showing that we still are fashionable and powerful and strong, and we enjoy life and looking beautiful,” MacDowell expressed upon her arrival, dressed in a black Armani ensemble featuring an intricate three-dimensional rose accent.

“I love this because I was born Rosalie Anderson MacDowell, and I thought this suit was made for me. It makes me feel really elegant,” she added.

The upcoming fall and winter women’s line embodied the fashion house’s core principles through flowing silhouettes, minimalist design, and modern appeal. Accessories were deliberately sparse, featuring only pins displaying the Cancer zodiac symbol — a tribute to her uncle’s astrological sign.

The presentation began with pieces in sophisticated urban gray tones, enhanced by silk tops adorned with decorative scarf details at the neckline. Rich burgundy belts provided both visual interest and structure, while precisely cut knitwear with subtle necklines demonstrated refined restraint. Floor-length outerwear swept dramatically across the catwalk.

Following her uncle’s design philosophy, Silvana Armani centered the collection around expertly crafted yet comfortable blazers, incorporating quilted pieces inspired by Japanese aesthetics and vibrant shearling outerwear. These were paired with flowing pants, some featuring side pleating for added dimension. Crisp winter white trousers combined with high-necked silk blouses and sporty jackets conveyed an active sensibility, complemented by comfortable knits, crossbody bags, and tinted glasses.

The color scheme transitioned into rich burgundy and deep navy — positioned as the contemporary alternative to black. Luxurious velvet pieces enhanced with beaded details offered sophisticated comfort, while evening pieces showcased shimmering bodices designed to sit elegantly away from the wearer’s form.

Notably, even the more formal pieces were styled with practical crossbody bags, indicating that the Giorgio Armani customer leads an active lifestyle rather than passively awaiting evening events.

Following the presentation, Silvana Armani revealed that the collection featured pieces she personally would choose to wear.

“Working with fluidity and simplicity came naturally to me, because that’s how I am,” Armani explained, echoing her uncle’s signature style by taking her final bow in navy knitwear and trousers.

Earlier in the week on Thursday, Silvana Armani partnered with Leo Dell’Orco as the brand’s creative successors to preview a sharp Emporio Armani unisex collection.

The Armani Theater featured wooden flooring designed to evoke a music academy atmosphere, serving as inspiration for designs that blended British formality with Italian flair. Formal tailcoats and vests suggested theatrical performance, while denim elements provided contemporary edge and youthful appeal.

The presentation concluded with a memorable sequence of crisp white shirts and flawless formal wear, earning enthusiastic and sustained applause for the creative partnership.

Italian Olympic medalists occupied prominent seating, wearing EA7 Emporio Armani athletic gear designed for the February 6-22 Games.

DUBAI – Iranian counter-attacks throughout Gulf nations have created the most severe economic disruptions the region has experienced since COVID-19, shuttering airports, stopping port activities, and creating turmoil in financial markets.

The Iranian offensive, conducted in retaliation for a combined American-Israeli operation against Iran, impacted all major Gulf states – an area that has worked for decades to establish itself as among the globe’s most dependable commercial centers. The attacks resulted in three deaths in the United Arab Emirates, while residents of Dubai and Abu Dhabi reported hearing explosive sounds for a consecutive day on Sunday.

These attacks represent an unparalleled escalation for Dubai, a metropolis that built its contemporary reputation on remaining separate from regional warfare. Starting as a modest fishing community, Dubai transformed limited oil income into developing harbors, aviation facilities, and commercial districts before shifting focus in the 1990s toward high-end tourism, property development, and banking services.

Vijay Valecha, chief investment officer at Century Financial, explained the regional economic effects: “Regionally, the impact across (Gulf) economies is mixed.”

He continued: “Elevated oil prices provide a fiscal cushion for producers such as Saudi Arabia and Qatar, strengthening revenues and liquidity. However, trade, logistics and tourism, particularly in the UAE, would face pressure if shipping risks rise or regional sentiment weakens.”

FINANCIAL MARKETS TUMBLE

Regional stock exchanges experienced significant declines when Sunday trading commenced, with Saudi Arabia’s primary index falling over 4% at opening before recovering to close down 2.2%. Oman’s market finished 1.4% lower while Egypt dropped 2.5%, both recovering from steeper early losses. Kuwait’s stock exchange made the rare decision to halt all trading indefinitely. UAE financial markets, which remain closed Sundays, are scheduled to resume Monday.

Mohammed Ali Yasin, chief executive of Ghaf Benefits, a Lunate company in Abu Dhabi, commented on market conditions: “Markets will continue to be fragile and volatile as long as the military actions are active.”

Yasin added: “Usually in such events, the international institutional investors are the ones that put the selling pressures initially… while local ones try and soften the drops by picking the leading stocks.”

Iranian forces targeted aviation hubs, defense facilities, shipping ports, and hospitality venues throughout the Gulf region. Both Dubai International Airport and Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport suffered infrastructure damage, resulting in one civilian death and 11 injuries between the two locations. A section of Dubai’s Jebel Ali Port ignited following aerial defense activities.

Major UAE corporations include property developer Emaar Properties and retail giant Majid Al Futtaim. The nation has increasingly attracted international hedge funds and major banking institutions seeking access to substantial sovereign wealth managed by organizations like ADIA and Mubadala.

RAMADAN BUSINESS DISRUPTIONS

The timing of these disruptions proves especially problematic for Gulf commercial activities. The strikes occurred during Ramadan, Islam’s sacred month, when business iftar and suhoor gatherings – the shared meals ending and starting daily fasting – represent crucial networking opportunities throughout the region.

Reuters obtained correspondence showing that events organized by Dubai airline Emirates, Abu Dhabi renewable energy company Masdar, Mubadala, education provider GEMS, and the Department of Government Enablement have been canceled or delayed.

In a region where personal relationships form the foundation of commercial transactions, losing Ramadan’s networking period creates additional, though less apparent, economic damage beyond the visible disruption already occurring.

Attacks also struck residential neighborhoods near Dubai Marina and Palm Jumeirah, igniting the Fairmont The Palm hotel and causing damage to the Burj Al Arab. The Fairmont had recently been purchased for $325 million by Kuwait’s Arzan Investment Management – a transaction viewed as indicating rising Gulf hospitality market demand – making this damage a prominent symbol of the impact on the region’s thriving tourism sector.

The United States, United Kingdom, and European Union released revised travel warnings for Gulf nations following the attacks, recommending citizens use extreme caution and avoid unnecessary travel. Critical transportation airports, including those in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Qatar’s Doha, were either closed or operating under severe restrictions Sunday as most regional airspace remained inaccessible.

International company employees are anticipated to follow local guidance regarding remote work arrangements in upcoming days. The UAE federal labor authority recommended companies establish work-from-home policies through March 3, encouraging them to keep employees away from outdoor locations, except for essential positions requiring on-site presence.

According to sources speaking with Agri-Pulse, Luke Lindberg, who currently holds the position of undersecretary for trade and foreign agricultural affairs at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is being considered as a top candidate to lead the United Nations World Food Program as its executive director.

The UN World Food Program holds the distinction of being the planet’s most extensive humanitarian aid agency.

WASHINGTON – The Pentagon announced Sunday that American forces have destroyed an Iranian naval vessel and are demanding that Iran’s military personnel abandon their positions.

U.S. Central Command, which is directing current American military operations against Iran, reported that it destroyed a Jamaran-class corvette belonging to Iran’s navy. The vessel was struck while docked at a pier in Chah Bahar in the Gulf of Oman.

In a statement posted on social media platform X, Central Command reinforced President Donald Trump’s Saturday message to Iranian forces. “As the President said, members of Iran’s armed forces, IRGC and police ‘must lay down your weapons.’ Abandon ship,” the command stated.

Multiple oil tankers were struck and damaged in Persian Gulf waters following military exchanges between the United States, Israel, and Iran, according to shipping industry officials and maritime security sources who reported the incidents Sunday.

Commercial vessel traffic faces dramatically heightened dangers in the region over the past day, with shipping data revealing more than 200 ships – including oil and liquefied gas carriers – have anchored near the Strait of Hormuz and adjacent waters.

Iranian authorities have declared the vital shipping corridor closed to navigation.

Jakob Larsen, who serves as chief safety and security officer for shipping organization BIMCO, warned that recent military actions have created severe risks for maritime operations.

“The U.S.-Israeli attack on Iran dramatically increases the security risk to ships operating in the Persian Gulf and adjacent waters,” Larsen stated.

“Ships with business connections to U.S. or Israeli interests are more likely to be targeted, but other ships may also be targeted deliberately or in error,” he added.

Among the damaged vessels, a Palau-flagged oil tanker under U.S. sanctions was struck Sunday near Oman’s Musandam peninsula, leaving four crew members injured, according to that nation’s maritime security center. Officials did not identify what struck the ship.

The Marshall Islands-flagged crude carrier MKD VYOM also took a projectile hit while carrying cargo off Oman’s coastline, maritime security sources confirmed Sunday. The vessel was struck approximately 44.4 nautical miles northwest of Muscat, according to one source.

Britain’s maritime agency UKMTO reported that a loaded merchant ship experienced an explosion in the same area.

A separate tanker docked at the United Arab Emirates’ Jebel Ali port narrowly avoided damage from falling debris during an aerial interception following overnight Iranian strikes on Gulf nations, maritime security sources reported.

A third oil-bunkering vessel sustained damage off the UAE coastline, shipping sources confirmed.

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration issued guidance Saturday urging ships to avoid the Strait of Hormuz and broader Gulf of Oman region due to potential Iranian retaliation.

“Any U.S.-flagged, owned or crewed commercial vessels that are operating in these areas should maintain a standoff of 30 nautical miles from U.S. military vessels to reduce the risk of being mistaken as a threat,” the advisory stated.

Security sources also warned of possible mine deployment by Iranian forces in the narrow shipping channels within the Strait of Hormuz.

Two U.S. officials previously told Reuters in July that Iranian military forces had placed naval mines on vessels in the Persian Gulf during June, raising concerns in Washington about potential blockade preparations for the strait.

Maritime industry sources anticipate significant increases in war risk insurance premiums when underwriters reassess coverage Monday.

War risk insurance becomes mandatory when vessels enter dangerous zones, and Lloyd’s of London market has already designated Iran, the Gulf region, and portions of the Gulf of Oman as high-risk areas.

Dylan Mortimer from insurance brokerage Marsh projected substantial rate hikes ahead.

“We would estimate that near-term rate increases for marine hull insurance in the Gulf could range from 25% to 50%,” Mortimer said.

DUBAI, March 1 – When Iran launched hundreds of drones and missiles toward Gulf nations in response to American and Israeli military actions, Dubai residents found themselves witnessing something many thought impossible in their adopted safe haven.

Social media influencer Hofit Golan captured the shock felt by many as she filmed smoke billowing from an explosion near Palm Jumeirah, the artificial island that represents Dubai’s luxury lifestyle.

“Oh my god … this is the view from my balcony,” Golan said with evident disbelief in her voice. “This is in front of my home. Oh my god,” she shared with her millions of online followers.

For years, Dubai has attracted residents fleeing regional conflicts and Westerners seeking low taxes and stability, all viewing the emirate as insulated from Middle Eastern turmoil.

That perception suffered a major blow when Iranian projectiles caused damage at Dubai’s most recognizable landmarks, despite most being successfully intercepted by defense systems.

The affected locations included the iconic Burj Al Arab hotel and Palm Jumeirah, where luxury resorts and upscale residences house many social media personalities who shared their panoramic views of the attack.

RESIDENTS DESCRIBE FEAR

Dubai-based trader Daniel Holmes, who has a substantial Instagram presence, said missile interceptions woke him and were visible from his apartment.

“All the locals are like ‘nah bro you’ve got nothing to worry about, it’s all good,’” Holmes posted online. “I’m like … there is genuine war around where you live here in Dubai. I’ve never dealt with that before.”

Similar conversations occurred throughout the city, which serves as the Middle East’s primary commercial and tourist center. While some residents discussed temporary departures, others maintained confidence in the UAE’s security capabilities.

Foreign nationals comprise approximately 90% of the UAE’s population.

A Western mother with two elementary-age children described feeling unsettled after hearing multiple explosions in rapid succession.

“They are really keeping us on our toes,” she messaged Reuters. “It’s almost as if their only purpose is to maintain the panic and fear.”

Another Dubai resident with experience in previous Middle Eastern wars said he never anticipated hearing drone interceptions in the UAE.

“I was not mentally prepared. I was terrified, I was actually (hiding) in the bathroom,” he said, requesting anonymity due to Dubai’s restrictive media policies.

However, Yamen Fadel, a 36-year-old Syrian living in Dubai, expressed confidence in government protection and communication efforts.

“I am seeing that there’s nothing much, just a few minor things,” Fadel said. “Nothing scary … because the government here, thank God, is protecting everyone.”

Dubai’s media office announced Saturday that outdated fire footage was circulating on social platforms and warned of legal consequences for sharing such material.

Several influencers reportedly removed their initial posts about the incidents.

CITY SHOWS STRAIN

By Sunday, as Iran’s retaliation expanded throughout the Gulf region, Dubai appeared noticeably quieter than usual, with typically congested weekend roads showing sparse traffic in many areas. The UAE’s human resources ministry advised private sector remote work through Tuesday.

Numerous small neighborhood businesses including barbershops, convenience stores, and local service providers remained closed.

Residents reported extended supermarket lines, delayed grocery deliveries, and unusually empty store shelves.

Social media platforms saw heated exchanges about emergency stockpiling.

“STOP! You are leaving no essentials for others,” one user wrote in a Dubai residents’ Facebook group.

“My husband was in the queue at are (sic) local shop and the person in front of him had 15 baguettes in their trolley, and there was absolutely no meat left,” another posted.

A third user responded: “During the war there are no rules. Each one for himself.”

Dubai’s leadership projected normalcy and continuity.

Saturday evening saw the emirate’s ruler attending Dubai’s premier horse racing event, Emirates Super Saturday, which state media described as “a special evening marked by thrilling races and strong competition.”

But Robyn, a British tourist who had stayed at the Fairmont Hotel earlier in the week before it sustained damage Saturday, said the attacks provided perspective.

“I always thought in the back of my mind that something will kick off someday and spread to the UAE and surrounding areas,” she said.

“But the fact that it happened is definitely very grounding, and you realize that not all that glitters is gold.”

A commercial ship traveling in waters off the United Arab Emirates was hit by an unidentified projectile on Sunday, according to maritime security officials.

The incident occurred approximately 17 nautical miles northwest of Mina Saqr port in the UAE’s Ras Al Khaimah emirate, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency reported.

The impact from the mysterious projectile sparked a fire aboard the vessel, but crew members were able to successfully extinguish the blaze, UKMTO officials stated. Despite the attack, the ship’s operators indicated they plan to proceed with their planned route.

The nature and origin of the projectile that struck the vessel remains unknown at this time.

Israeli emergency medical services confirmed on Sunday that six people died following a missile attack that struck the town of Beit Shemesh.

The fatal incident occurred as tensions continue to escalate in the region, with emergency responders confirming the casualties from the deadly strike.

Beit Shemesh, located in central Israel, became the target of the missile attack that resulted in multiple fatalities according to official reports from Israeli ambulance services.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi strongly condemned military strikes carried out by the United States and Israel against Iran, labeling them “unacceptable” during discussions with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Sunday, China’s state news agency Xinhua reported.

Speaking about Saturday’s military operations, Wang characterized the “blatant killing of a sovereign leader” and efforts to provoke regime change as completely unacceptable. Iran has confirmed that Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei died during Saturday’s bombardment.

Beijing is demanding an immediate halt to all military operations and pushing for a swift return to diplomatic discussions and negotiations, while jointly opposing unilateral military actions, the Chinese minister stated.

The joint U.S.-Israeli military operations began early Saturday morning, focusing on Iran’s military infrastructure and capabilities.

China’s foreign ministry had already voiced serious concerns about the strikes on Saturday, demanding an immediate cessation of hostilities and encouraging all parties to prevent further escalation while returning to diplomatic channels. Beijing emphasized that Iran’s sovereignty, security and territorial boundaries must be honored.

By Sunday, China’s embassy in Israel had issued evacuation guidance for Chinese nationals, recommending they relocate to safer regions within Israel immediately or exit through Egypt using the Taba border crossing.

Chinese authorities also advised their citizens currently in Iran to depart “as soon as possible” on Sunday, providing four overland evacuation routes through Azerbaijan, Armenia, Turkey and Iraq.

In Sunday editorial commentary, China’s official Xinhua news agency condemned the military action, describing it as “brazen aggression against a sovereign nation” and an example of “power politics and hegemony.”

Xinhua characterized Washington’s military pressure tactics as a “flagrant violation” of United Nations Charter principles and a break from “fundamental norms of international relations.”

Meanwhile, Hong Kong-based Cathay Group announced Saturday that it was halting Middle East operations, impacting passenger services to and from Dubai and Riyadh, plus cargo operations through Dubai’s Al Maktoum International Airport, according to a company statement from Cathay, which owns Cathay Pacific Airways.

The airline company indicated it is redirecting flights that normally travel through the conflict zone.

The regional conflict has triggered extensive flight disruptions and cancellations across the aviation industry.

ATHENS – Over 1,300 anti-war demonstrators gathered in the Greek capital on Sunday, staging protests outside both the United States and Israeli diplomatic missions following recent military strikes against Iran.

The crowd, consisting primarily of members and supporters of Greece’s Communist Party, carried signs with messages including “Hands off Iran” and demands to “close Souda base,” referring to the strategic U.S. naval facility.

Greek authorities had increased security measures at the Souda naval installation on Crete’s coast just one day earlier on Saturday. The base serves as a crucial strategic location for American military operations throughout the eastern Mediterranean region.

Law enforcement officials established security perimeters around both embassy locations using multiple rows of blue police vehicles to separate protesters from the diplomatic buildings.

According to police estimates, the demonstration drew more than 1,300 participants who marched through Athens streets to voice their opposition to the military actions.

BRUSSELS – The European Union’s foreign policy leader believes Iran has reached a pivotal moment following the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, calling it a historic turning point for the nation.

Kaja Kallas, the EU’s chief diplomat, described the situation as offering new possibilities for Iran’s future. “What comes next is uncertain. But there is now an open path to a different Iran, one that its people may have greater freedom to shape,” Kallas wrote on the social media platform X on Sunday.

The EU official emphasized her efforts to coordinate with international allies to reduce tensions in the region. “I’m in contact with partners, including those in the region that bear the brunt of Iran’s military actions, to find practical steps for de-escalation,” she stated.

According to Iranian state media reports, Khamenei died Saturday when Israeli and U.S. airstrikes destroyed his compound in central Tehran.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also weighed in on the developments, revealing she had spoken with Jordan’s King Abdullah. Von der Leyen expressed Europe’s complete support for Jordan following Iranian attacks on the kingdom.

“With Khamenei gone, there is renewed hope for the people of Iran. We must ensure that the future is theirs to claim and shape,” von der Leyen posted on X.

However, the European leader cautioned about potential consequences of the current situation. “At the same time, this moment carries a real risk of instability that could push the region into a spiral of violence,” she warned.

Military confrontations between Israel and Iran extended into a second consecutive day Sunday, with both nations launching fresh attacks against each other’s territories.

Israeli officials confirmed they conducted additional military operations against Iranian targets, while Tehran’s forces simultaneously carried out strikes against Israeli positions. The Iranian military also expanded its operations to include attacks on American facilities located in Gulf states, Iraq, and Jordan.

The escalating situation has created widespread instability throughout the Middle East region, with multiple countries now involved in the growing conflict. The exchange of strikes marks a significant intensification of tensions between the longtime adversaries.

KABUL, Afghanistan — Afghan authorities reported Sunday they successfully prevented Pakistani military aircraft from conducting bombing runs against Bagram Air Base, the once-major American military installation located north of Kabul, as border hostilities between the two nations entered their fourth consecutive day.

The current hostilities represent the most intense military confrontations between these neighboring countries in recent years, with Pakistan’s leadership stating the nations are engaged in “open war.” International observers have expressed growing concern about the escalating violence, especially given the region’s continued presence of extremist organizations such as al-Qaida and ISIS, which have been attempting to regain influence.

Pakistani officials have accused Afghanistan’s Taliban leadership of providing sanctuary to militant organizations that launch attacks on Pakistani soil, while also claiming Afghanistan has formed partnerships with Pakistan’s longtime adversary, India. Previous border skirmishes in October resulted in numerous fatalities among military personnel, civilians, and suspected militants before Qatar helped broker a temporary ceasefire. However, multiple diplomatic discussions held in Turkey during November failed to establish a permanent peace agreement, and sporadic exchanges of gunfire have occurred since then.

According to a Sunday statement from Parwan province’s police command, where Bagram is situated, multiple Pakistani warplanes violated Afghan airspace “and attempted to bomb Bagram Air Base” around 5 a.m. The statement indicated that Afghan military units deployed “anti-aircraft and missile defense systems” and successfully prevented the assault.

Pakistani officials have not yet responded to these allegations.

Bagram served as America’s primary military installation throughout its Afghanistan operations. Taliban forces assumed control of the facility during their rapid territorial gains following the disorganized American military departure in 2021. Former President Donald Trump indicated last year his interest in reestablishing American operations at the location.

The present conflict erupted when Afghan forces initiated extensive cross-border operations Thursday evening, claiming the actions were retaliation for Pakistani aerial bombardments conducted the previous Sunday.

Pakistan had stated its airstrikes targeted the banned Pakistani Taliban organization, known as TTP. Afghan officials maintained that only civilian casualties resulted from those strikes.

The TTP militant organization, while distinct from Afghanistan’s governing Taliban, maintains close ties with the ruling group and conducts operations within Pakistan, where authorities blame the group for hundreds of deaths through bombing campaigns and other violent attacks spanning multiple years. Pakistani leadership accuses Afghanistan’s Taliban government of offering protected territory within Afghanistan for TTP operations, which Afghan officials reject.

Following Thursday’s Afghan military action, Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif announced that “our patience has now run out. Now it is open war between us.”

Throughout the ongoing hostilities, both nations claim to have eliminated hundreds of opposing forces while reporting significantly lower casualty figures for their own military units.

Afghan representatives confirmed that combat operations continued through the night and into Sunday across border regions.

Said Tayyeb Hammad, spokesman for Nangarhar province’s police command, reported that anti-aircraft missiles were deployed from the provincial capital Jalalabad and nearby locations against Pakistani fighter aircraft conducting overflights Sunday morning.

Defense Ministry spokesman Enayatulah Khowarazmi stated that Afghan military units conducted sniper counterattacks across the border from Nangarhar, Paktia, Khost and Kandahar provinces during overnight operations. He alleged that two Pakistani unmanned aircraft were destroyed and numerous Pakistani soldiers were killed.

Deputy government spokesman Hamdullah Fitrat reported that Pakistani drone strikes targeted civilian residences in Nangarhar province late Saturday evening, resulting in the deaths of one woman and one child, while mortar fire killed another civilian when it struck a home in Paktia province.

Pakistani officials have not immediately addressed these allegations.

Within just one hour of American and Israeli missiles hitting Iranian targets, President Donald Trump delivered a direct message encouraging political upheaval. In a video address aimed at Iranian citizens, Trump declared, “Now is the time to seize control of your destiny. This is the moment for action. Do not let it pass.”

The concept appears straightforward at first glance. With Iran’s widely disliked leadership weakened by devastating air attacks, key officials either killed or unaccounted for, and Washington offering its backing, overthrowing an oppressive government might seem achievable.

Historical precedent suggests otherwise.

America’s track record with toppling foreign governments spans decades and continents. The list includes Vietnam during the 1960s and 70s, Panama in 1989, Nicaragua throughout the 1980s, Iraq and Afghanistan following September 11th, and Venezuela in recent weeks.

Iran itself experienced American-backed regime change before. In 1953, the CIA orchestrated the removal of Iran’s democratically chosen prime minister, installing Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi with sweeping authority. Yet like the Shah, who fell during Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution after growing increasingly unpopular over decades, government overthrows seldom proceed according to plan.

American efforts to install friendly administrations typically begin with noble goals, whether promoting democracy in Iraq or supporting anti-Communist leadership in Congo during Cold War tensions. However, these missions frequently become mired in political chaos where democratic aspirations devolve into civil warfare, once-cooperative dictators become liabilities, and American service members come home in coffins.

Trump has frequently referenced this troubled history. “We must abandon the failed policy of nation building and regime change,” he stated in 2016.

During a 2025 address in Saudi Arabia, Trump criticized previous administrations, saying, “In the end, the so-called ‘nation-builders’ wrecked far more nations than they built.” He condemned American efforts in Afghanistan and Iraq, arguing that “interventionists were intervening in complex societies that they did not even understand.”

Following Saturday’s military action, a crucial question arises: Does the current administration comprehend the complexity of its undertaking?

Iran faces severe economic turmoil, and popular dissent persists despite brutal government suppression of January protests that killed thousands and imprisoned tens of thousands more. The country’s primary military allies and proxy forces — including Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and Syria’s Assad regime — have suffered significant losses or elimination. Early Sunday reports from Iranian state media confirmed that Israel and the United States had eliminated Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Washington has not articulated a post-conflict strategy and may not seek complete governmental overthrow. Similar to the Venezuelan situation, potential allies within Iran’s existing power structure might be willing to fill leadership voids.

Jonathan Schanzer, who leads the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, a Washington think tank highly critical of Iran’s government, explained the challenges ahead. “But there’s a lot that needs to happen between now and a possible scenario along these lines. There needs to be a sense that there is no salvation for the regime as such, and that they will need to work with the United States.”

In a nation where core leadership remains bound by shared ideology and religious conviction, achieving such cooperation may prove exceptionally challenging.

“The question to my mind right now is have we been able to penetrate the ranks of the regime that are not true believers that are more pragmatic,” Schanzer noted. “Because I don’t believe that the true believers will flip.”

Determining whether political momentum is building in Tehran remains premature. Future leaders might prove equally oppressive or face domestic rejection as American puppets.

Phillips O’Brien, who teaches strategic studies at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, cautioned about expectations. “We’ll see whether elements of the regime start moving against each other. Air power can damage a leadership, but it can’t guarantee that you’ll bring in something new.”

America’s intervention history in Latin America extends back over two centuries, beginning when President James Monroe declared the hemisphere part of America’s sphere of influence.

While the Monroe Doctrine initially aimed to exclude European powers from the region, by the 1900s it justified everything from Central American coups to the unsuccessful 1961 Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba. Historians note that such interventions frequently resulted in violence, bloodshed, and widespread human rights abuses.

Christopher Sabatini, a senior fellow for Latin America at London’s Chatham House, argues that direct American involvement has rarely “resulted in long-term democratic stability.” He cites Guatemala, where 1950s U.S. intervention sparked a four-decade civil war that claimed over 200,000 lives.

Nicaragua presents another example, where American support for Contra rebels fighting the Sandinista government during the 1980s fueled prolonged civil conflict that devastated the economy, caused tens of thousands of deaths, and intensified political divisions.

Though large-scale American involvement in Latin America largely ended with the Cold War, Trump has revived this approach.

Since taking office, Trump has authorized naval strikes against Caribbean drug traffickers, imposed a blockade on Venezuelan oil exports, and intervened in electoral processes in Honduras and Argentina. On January 3rd, U.S. forces captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, transporting him to face American drug and weapons charges.

The aftermath in Caracas may preview White House expectations for Tehran. Many anticipated American support for María Corina Machado, Venezuela’s prominent opposition figure. Instead, Washington marginalized her while demonstrating willingness to collaborate with President Delcy Rodríguez, formerly Maduro’s deputy.

Schanzer observed the distinction: “There are those who could claim that what we did in Venezuela is not regime change. The regime is still in place. There’s just one person that’s missing.”

North Korea has strongly criticized recent military actions by Israel and the United States against Iran, with a foreign ministry representative condemning the operations as unlawful acts of aggression that violate Iran’s national sovereignty, according to a Sunday report from the Korean Central News Agency.

The North Korean spokesperson characterized the U.S. military action against Iran as being “within the range of expectations,” describing it as a predictable result of what they termed America’s “hegemonic and gangster-like” behavior.

According to the statement, any “war of aggression” conducted by the United States and Israel cannot be justified under any conditions.

The North Korean official also called on Middle Eastern nations and other countries with common interests to step up and take action to restore peace and stability throughout the region.

These condemnations follow Israel’s announcement Sunday that its forces had conducted extensive strikes in central Tehran. The Israeli military reported carrying out a major operation that resulted in the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, sparking concerns about potential widespread unrest across the Middle East.

LONDON – Iranian state media has confirmed the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei following joint strikes by American and Israeli forces that targeted the country on Sunday, March 1st.

The announcement has prompted responses from leaders across the globe, with reactions varying significantly based on international relationships and regional interests.

Russian President Vladimir Putin offered his sympathies, stating: “Please accept my deep condolences in connection with the murder of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Seyed Ali Khamenei, and members of his family, committed in cynical violation of all norms of human morality and international law.”

Sweden’s Foreign Minister Maria Stenergard struck a more measured tone, acknowledging the potential implications while warning of continued regional instability.

“Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has been confirmed dead. This could open a window of opportunities. But there are still many uncertainties remaining,” Stenergard said. “Iran’s future must belong to the people. But the road there is long. The risk of a spiral of violence in the Middle East remains great.”

Indonesia’s Muslim Clerical Council, known as the Ulema Council, issued a statement condemning the February 28th attack while questioning American involvement in Middle Eastern peace efforts.

“The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) expressed its deepest condolences for the death of Iran’s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, as a result of the Israeli-American attack on February 28,” the organization stated.

The council went further, challenging U.S. peace initiatives in the region: “The United States, which is playing a central role in managing the Palestinian conflict through the BoP (Board of Peace), faces a major question: is this strategy truly aimed at a just peace, or is it actually strengthening an unequal security architecture and burying Palestinian independence? Therefore, the MUI urges the Indonesian government to revoke its membership from the BoP.”

The strikes represent a significant escalation in Middle Eastern tensions, with the full implications of Khamenei’s death yet to be determined.

The passing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has revealed stark divisions across the nation, as citizens responded with both mourning and celebration following his death after 36 years in power.

Iranian state television broke the news during the early morning hours on Sunday, with the announcer’s voice filled with emotion while confirming that Khamenei had perished in Saturday’s U.S.-Israeli strike. Video from Tehran captured crowds of mourners gathering in a public square, many wearing black clothing and visibly weeping.

However, social media footage revealed contrasting scenes of jubilation across various Iranian cities. In Dehloran, located in Ilam province, people cheered as they brought down a statue. Residents of Karaj city in Alborz province danced in the streets, while celebrations erupted in Izeh within Khuzestan province.

In the southern Iranian town of Galleh Dar, citizens destroyed a memorial dedicated to Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the founder of Iran’s Islamic Republic in 1979, according to verified social media video.

“Am I dreaming? Hello to the new world!” a man can be heard shouting in the video, as fires burned on a traffic circle where the monument was toppled, prompting cheers and applause.

Additional footage showed people celebrating in the southern town of Lapuee outside the residence of Pooya Jafari, a 15-year-old who was fatally shot during anti-government demonstrations in January.

The January protests resulted in thousands of Iranian deaths during government crackdowns, marking the most deadly period of civil unrest since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Following Saturday’s announcement of the Iranian attack, President Donald Trump called on Iranian citizens to take advantage of the situation to overthrow their government.

At a memorial gathering for Khamenei in Tehran, one attendee expressed that the news had filled him with animosity “towards Israel and America. We must avenge the blood of the leader.”

“We said last night until the morning that God willing, it is a lie. Unfortunately, it was the truth,” said a woman mourning Khamenei’s death, in a pool report via WANA.

Throughout Khamenei’s leadership, Iran experienced multiple periods of civil disorder, including student demonstrations in 1999 and 2002, upheaval in 2009, and the recent “Woman, Life, Freedom” movement in 2022, which began after a young woman died while in morality police custody.

A 33-year-old Isfahan woman told Reuters she wept from both happiness and shock upon learning of Khamenei’s death. Speaking from Iran, she described joining street celebrations to “share my happiness with my people,” hoping his death would signal the end of the Islamic Republic. She requested anonymity due to safety concerns.

However, Atousa Mirzade, an elementary school educator in Shiraz, said she couldn’t celebrate their leader’s death at the hands of foreign forces.

“I also cannot be happy because I don’t know what will happen to our country. We saw what happened in Iraq — chaos and bloodshed. I would prefer the Islamic Republic to that situation.”

Hossein Dadbakhsh, a 21-year-old university student in Mashhad, vowed that Iran would seek retribution for its leader.

“I am ready to sacrifice my life for Islam and for my Imam Khamenei. The Zionist regime and Trump will pay a heavy price for the martyrdom of my leader,” he said by phone, his voice trembling with emotion.

LONDON – The United Kingdom’s Defense Secretary John Healey stopped short of endorsing weekend military strikes conducted by the United States and Israel against Iran, telling reporters Sunday that America must “set out the legal basis of the action it took.”

Iranian state media has confirmed that the country’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei died in Saturday’s air strikes.

Speaking to BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg, Healey emphasized that Britain had no involvement in the military action, though the UK shares Washington’s goal of preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons capabilities.

When pressed about whether the strikes complied with international law, Healey responded: “It is for the U.S. to set out the legal basis of the action that it took.”

The Defense Secretary described Iran’s response as increasingly reckless, noting that Iranian forces have been targeting civilian infrastructure including airports and hotels alongside military installations.

“We have strengthened the UK defences in the region, we are active in regional defence operations,” Healey stated during an interview with Sky News.

He confirmed that British military aircraft stationed at bases in Qatar and Cyprus are currently conducting operations to intercept drone attacks aimed at allied forces and installations in the region.

MOSCOW – Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday condemned the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, calling it a “cynical” assassination that breaks international law and basic human decency.

In an official message to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian released by the Kremlin, Putin expressed his condolences, stating: “Please accept my deep condolences in connection with the murder of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Seyed Ali Khamenei, and members of his family, committed in cynical violation of all norms of human morality and international law.”

According to Iranian state media reports, the 86-year-old Khamenei died Saturday during military strikes carried out by Israeli and American forces.

Putin praised the deceased Iranian leader’s role in strengthening ties between Moscow and Tehran, saying: “In our country, Ayatollah Khamenei will be remembered as an outstanding statesman who made a huge personal contribution to the development of friendly Russian-Iranian relations and bringing them to the level of a comprehensive strategic partnership.”

The Russian president concluded his statement by extending sympathy to Iran’s leadership and citizens: “I ask you to convey my most sincere sympathy and support to the family and friends of the Supreme Leader, the government and the entire people of Iran.”

A commercial oil vessel sustained damage near Oman’s coastline on Sunday, leaving four crew members wounded, according to the nation’s maritime security officials. The incident followed separate drone attacks on Oman’s Duqm commercial port facility.

These attacks represent the initial strikes targeting Omani territory or nearby waters amid escalating regional tensions following retaliatory actions by Tehran against Gulf nations. The broader conflict stems from coordinated U.S.-Israeli military operations against Iran, which have sparked a new phase of warfare in the region.

The vessel, named Skylight and registered under Palau’s flag, had its entire 20-member crew evacuated following the assault, which took place approximately 5 nautical miles north of Khasab Port on the Musandam peninsula, according to Oman’s Maritime Security Centre’s social media announcement. Officials did not identify what weapon struck the tanker.

Four crew members sustained injuries of different degrees of severity, maritime authorities reported. The ship’s crew consisted of 15 Indian nationals and five Iranian citizens.

The Musandam peninsula, where Oman is located, jointly controls the Strait of Hormuz with Iran. This narrow waterway serves as a crucial shipping lane for approximately 20 percent of the world’s oil supply.

Earlier the same day, Oman’s official news service confirmed that two drones struck the Duqm commercial port, wounding one foreign worker.

Wreckage from an additional drone landed close to fuel storage tanks at the Duqm facility, though this incident resulted in no injuries or property damage, according to the news agency.

The world’s major oil-producing nations are weighing a substantial increase in crude output this weekend following disruptions to shipping lanes caused by escalating tensions between the United States, Israel, and Iran.

According to two sources within the OPEC+ alliance, the group will contemplate boosting production beyond previously anticipated levels during Sunday’s emergency meeting. The discussions come after Iran issued warnings that effectively shut down navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global energy shipments.

The oil cartel has traditionally responded to supply disruptions by ramping up production, though energy experts note that most member countries currently lack significant unused capacity to meaningfully increase output. Only Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates possess substantial spare production capability.

Sources indicate that Saudi Arabia has already begun increasing both production and exports in recent weeks, anticipating potential U.S. military action against Iran.

Maritime traffic carrying oil, natural gas, and other commodities through the Strait of Hormuz ceased on Saturday after shipping companies received Iranian advisories declaring the waterway closed to vessels.

Sunday’s OPEC+ meeting will examine raising daily production by 411,000 barrels or potentially more, sources revealed to Reuters. This represents a significant jump from initial projections of just 137,000 barrels per day.

Energy markets reacted sharply on Friday, with oil prices climbing to $73 per barrel – the highest point since July. The increase reflects growing concerns about broader Middle Eastern conflict and potential supply shortages through Hormuz, which handles more than 20% of worldwide oil transportation.

Veteran OPEC analyst Helima Croft from RBC reported that Middle Eastern officials have cautioned Washington that military action against Iran could drive oil prices above $100 per barrel. Barclays analysts have issued similar warnings about potential price spikes.

However, Croft emphasized that any large-scale OPEC production increase would have minimal market impact due to limited actual production capabilities beyond Saudi Arabia’s reserves.

The emergency session scheduled for 1100 GMT Sunday will include eight key OPEC+ members: Saudi Arabia, Russia, the UAE, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Iraq, Algeria, and Oman. While OPEC+ encompasses the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries plus allies like Russia, these eight nations have handled most production adjustments in recent years.

The eight-member group had previously agreed to boost production quotas by approximately 2.9 million barrels daily from April through December 2025 – roughly 3% of global demand – before temporarily suspending increases for January through March 2026 due to seasonal market conditions.

KARACHI, Pakistan — Deadly violence erupted in Pakistan’s largest city Sunday when hundreds of angry demonstrators launched an assault on the United States Consulate, resulting in at least six fatalities and approximately a dozen injuries during confrontations with law enforcement and paramilitary units, according to local officials.

The deadly unrest followed reports that American and Israeli forces had conducted an operation that resulted in the death of Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Medical personnel at a Karachi hospital confirmed that around eight individuals sustained injuries during the fierce confrontations.

Dr. Summaiya Syed Tariq, serving as police surgeon at the city’s primary government medical facility, verified that six deceased individuals and numerous wounded protesters were transported to the hospital. Karachi serves as both the capital of Sindh province in southern Pakistan and the nation’s most populous urban center.

According to senior law enforcement official Irfan Baloch, demonstrators temporarily breached the consulate’s outer security perimeter before being pushed back by authorities. “The situation is now fully under our control,” Baloch stated.

Baloch refuted unverified claims suggesting portions of the consulate facility had been set ablaze. Nevertheless, he acknowledged that protesters had burned down a nearby police station and damaged consulate windows before security personnel arrived to restore order.

Eyewitness accounts indicated that numerous Shiite demonstrators continued to gather approximately one kilometer away from the diplomatic compound, encouraging additional participants to join their cause. Pakistan’s Shiite population comprises roughly 15% of the country’s 250 million residents, representing among the world’s most significant Shiite communities. While anti-American and anti-Israeli demonstrations have occurred previously, violent confrontations of this magnitude remain uncommon.

Similar protests also took place near the American Consulate in Lahore, the capital city of Punjab province in eastern Pakistan, law enforcement reported. Senior police official Faisal Kamran explained that demonstrators attempted to stage protests outside the diplomatic facility but were prevented from doing so. Authorities dispersed the gathering when protesters tried to march toward the consulate building, he confirmed.

Iran has declared a 40-day period of national mourning following the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed during coordinated military strikes conducted by the United States and Israel this past Saturday.

The Iranian leadership confirmed the death of their highest-ranking official after the joint military operation targeted Iran. President Trump has since issued a stern warning to Tehran, advising against any retaliatory measures in response to Khamenei’s death.

The strikes mark a significant escalation in tensions between Iran and the Western allies, with the death of the Supreme Leader representing a major blow to Iran’s theocratic government structure.

Airlines around the globe continued suspending Middle Eastern routes on Sunday following military strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran that resulted in the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, triggering a fresh regional crisis.

Flight tracking data from Flightradar24 revealed nearly empty skies across Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Israel, Bahrain, the UAE and Qatar, while ongoing military operations forced major aviation hubs including Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha to either close completely or operate under severe limitations.

Here’s how individual carriers are responding to the crisis, organized by airline:

AEGEAN AIRLINES: Greece’s flagship carrier halted service to Tel Aviv, Israel; Beirut, Lebanon; and Erbil, Iraq through March 2.

AIR ASTANA: The airline group suspended all Middle Eastern routes until March 3.

AIR CANADA: Canadian flights to Israel remain grounded through March 8, while Dubai service is cancelled until March 3.

AIR EUROPA: Spain’s Air Europa scrapped Tel Aviv flights for Sunday and Monday, with Tuesday operations under review.

AIR FRANCE KLM: Air France eliminated Saturday flights to Tel Aviv and Beirut. KLM’s Dutch operations cancelled weekend service to Dubai, Dammam and Riyadh, while moving up the suspension of Amsterdam-Tel Aviv routes to Saturday.

AIR INDIA: The carrier scrapped Sunday departures from Delhi, Mumbai and Amritsar to London, New York, Chicago, Toronto, Frankfurt and Paris, plus additional European destinations including Birmingham, Amsterdam, Zurich, Milan, Vienna and Copenhagen.

AZERBAIJAN AIRLINES: Service to Dubai, Doha, Jeddah and Tel Aviv remains suspended.

BRITISH AIRWAYS: The IAG subsidiary cancelled Tel Aviv and Bahrain flights through March 3, along with Saturday’s Amman service.

CATHAY PACIFIC: Hong Kong’s Cathay Group suspended regional operations affecting Dubai and Riyadh passenger flights, plus cargo service at Dubai’s Al Maktoum airport.

EMIRATES: Dubai’s flagship carrier halted all operations until 3 p.m. UAE time on March 2 due to widespread airspace restrictions.

ETIHAD: UAE’s Etihad suspended Abu Dhabi departures until 2 p.m. local time Sunday.

FLYDUBAI: The budget carrier temporarily grounded all Dubai flights until 3 p.m. local time Sunday.

IBERIA EXPRESS: The Spanish subsidiary cancelled Saturday’s 5 p.m. Tel Aviv departure.

INDIGO: India’s largest airline extended suspension of select international routes using Middle Eastern airspace through Monday.

ITA AIRWAYS: Italy’s carrier suspended Tel Aviv service and banned use of Israeli, Lebanese, Jordanian, Iraqi and Iranian airspace until March 7, while Dubai flights remain cancelled through March 1.

JAPAN AIRLINES: Saturday’s Tokyo Haneda-Doha flight and Sunday’s return service were cancelled, according to Nikkei reports.

LOT POLISH AIRLINES: Tel Aviv service remains suspended until March 15, with Dubai and Riyadh flights cancelled through March 2.

LUFTHANSA: Germany’s flag carrier suspended Tel Aviv, Beirut and Oman routes until March 7, cancelled weekend Dubai flights, and banned use of Israeli, Lebanese, Jordanian, Iraqi and Iranian airspace through March 7.

NORWEGIAN AIR: The Nordic carrier suspended Dubai service through March 4, though Tel Aviv and Beirut routes remain unaffected as they operate only during summer months.

PEGASUS AIRLINES: Turkish carrier cancelled flights to Iran, Iraq, Jordan and Lebanon through March 2.

QATAR AIRWAYS: All flights remain suspended due to Qatari airspace closure, with updates expected by 9 a.m. local time Monday.

SCANDINAVIAN AIRLINES: Saturday’s Copenhagen-Tel Aviv flight was cancelled, with future dates under review.

TURKISH AIRLINES: Saturday flights to Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, UAE and Oman were cancelled, along with service to Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Iran and Jordan through March 2.

VIRGIN ATLANTIC: The British carrier is avoiding Iraqi airspace, causing flight rerouting, and cancelled Saturday’s London Heathrow-Dubai service.

WIZZ AIR: Hungary’s budget airline immediately suspended flights to Israel, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Amman through March 7, with ongoing schedule reviews as conditions change.

KARACHI, Pakistan — Violent confrontations between Pakistani authorities and demonstrators outside the U.S. consulate in Karachi resulted in nine fatalities on Sunday, as crowds responded to reports that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in strikes by U.S. and Israeli forces against Iran.

Similar demonstrations took place near Baghdad’s Green Zone in Iraq, where the American Embassy is situated, as supporters of Iran expressed their outrage.

Both Pakistan and Iraq contain the world’s second and third largest populations of Shi’ite Muslims, following Iran itself.

In Karachi, demonstrators managed to breach the exterior barrier of the consulate before being repelled by security forces, according to a local government representative. The crowd ignited a car near the facility’s main entrance during the confrontation with police.

Authorities confirmed that nine individuals lost their lives during these violent encounters.

News reporters on the scene documented the sound of weapons fire and witnessed law enforcement deploying tear gas throughout the area surrounding the diplomatic compound. Video evidence captured flames burning under a bridge in the vicinity.

Officials reported no injuries from the street violence itself.

Neither the Karachi consulate nor the U.S. Embassy press office in Islamabad provided responses to media inquiries.

Demonstrations of significant size also took place throughout other regions of Pakistan.

In Skardu, located in the northern Gilgit Baltistan area known for its mountainous terrain and tourism, angry crowds set fire to a United Nations facility. This region typically remains calm and has a Shi’ite majority population.

Local government representative Shabbir Mir confirmed to reporters that demonstrators had assembled at the UN office in the region and destroyed the structure through arson, though no injuries occurred.

Earlier that day in Lahore, hundreds gathered near the American consulate in Pakistan’s central region. While minor altercations with law enforcement took place, no violent incidents were documented.

Eyewitness Aqeel Raza described the scene, stating: “Some of the protesters tried to damage the security gate, hundreds of yards away from the Consulate. However, police stopped them without use of force.”

In Pakistan’s capital city of Islamabad, law enforcement blocked all routes to the red zone containing diplomatic buildings and the parliament, preventing vehicle and pedestrian access.

A seasoned Iranian political figure has stepped into a leadership vacuum after announcing Sunday that a temporary governing council will take charge following the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in an airstrike.

Ali Larijani, who has risen to become one of Iran’s most influential security officials over the past year, has been handling a wide range of critical issues including nuclear diplomacy, regional relationships, and the government’s harsh response to domestic protests.

The establishment veteran, who comes from a prominent religious family, had been leading Iran’s attempts to negotiate a nuclear agreement with America – this came just one month after the U.S. imposed sanctions on him in January for his alleged role in violently suppressing anti-government demonstrations.

On Sunday, Larijani blamed the United States and Israel for attempting to “plunder and disintegrate Iran” and issued warnings to “secessionist groups” about severe consequences if they take action, according to state television reports. This statement came nearly a full day after attacks against Iran commenced.

Iranian state media also reported that Armed Forces Chief of Staff Abdolrahim Mousavi died in the strikes.

Since taking over as Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council in August, Larijani has maintained senior positions throughout his career, earning recognition for his unwavering loyalty to Khamenei and his skill at working with competing factions within the system.

His position as a trusted advisor to Khamenei became clear last month when he traveled to Oman, which serves as a mediator, to lay groundwork for indirect nuclear discussions with the United States. This occurred as Washington increased its military presence in the Middle East to pressure Iran before launching strikes.

In recent months, Larijani has also made multiple visits to Moscow, Iran’s important ally, to discuss various security partnerships, demonstrating his return to high-level international diplomacy.

LARIJANI VIEWS NUCLEAR DISPUTE AS ‘SOLVABLE’

Having previously led the SNSC two decades ago, Larijani returned to this leadership position after last year’s 12-day aerial conflict between Iran and Israel, which also involved the United States, bringing him back to the center of Iran’s security apparatus.

His public comments regarding nuclear issues have often reflected a practical approach.

“In my view, this issue is resolvable,” Larijani stated to Oman state television last month about the U.S. negotiations. “If the Americans’ concern is that Iran should not move toward acquiring a nuclear weapon, that can be addressed.”

However, following January’s widespread anti-government protests, Washington criticized his security council position.

A U.S. government statement announcing sanctions against Larijani and other officials for their response to the protests described him as leading the effort to suppress the demonstrations that occurred across Iran in January.

“Larijani was one of the first Iranian leaders to call for violence in response to the legitimate demands of the Iranian people,” stated a U.S. Treasury announcement on January 15, noting that Larijani acted on Khamenei’s orders.

Human rights organizations report that thousands died during the government’s crackdown on the protests, marking Iran’s most severe internal unrest since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

‘TRADING A PEARL FOR CANDY’

While Larijani, like other Iranian officials, showed some sympathy for demonstrations driven by economic difficulties, he condemned violent actions that he claimed were encouraged by Israel, Iran’s primary adversary.

“Popular protests must be completely separated from these terrorist-similar groups,” state media quoted him as saying on January 10. “The rioters are an urban quasi-terrorist group,” he was reported as saying on January 26.

A former Revolutionary Guards member, Larijani worked as Iran’s chief nuclear negotiator from 2005-2007, defending Tehran’s claimed right to uranium enrichment. He famously compared European offers to halt nuclear fuel production to “exchanging a pearl for a candy bar.”

During that period, Iranian experts believed he tried to convince Western nations through diplomatic means and was viewed as a moderate.

The United States and Israel maintain that Iran wants to develop nuclear weapons that could endanger Israel’s survival. Iran insists its nuclear activities are entirely for peaceful purposes.

From 2008 to 2020, Larijani served as parliament speaker. While in this role, Iran reached a nuclear agreement with six global powers in 2015 following nearly two years of complex negotiations. President Donald Trump pulled the United States out of this carefully negotiated deal in 2018 during his first presidency.

WORKING WITH PUTIN

Larijani has warned that Iran’s nuclear capabilities “can never be destroyed.”

“Because once you have discovered a technology, they can’t take the discovery away,” he explained to PBS Frontline in September 2025. “It’s as if you are the inventor of some machine, and the machine is stolen from you. You can still make it again.”

Through frequent trips to Moscow and meetings with President Vladimir Putin, Larijani has helped Khamenei maintain relations with a crucial ally and global power that balances pressure from Trump.

Larijani also oversaw negotiations with China that resulted in a 25-year cooperation deal in 2021.

He ran for president unsuccessfully in 2005 and later attempted to compete in the 2021 and 2024 presidential races but was rejected both times by the Guardian Council, which pointed to concerns including personal conduct standards and family connections overseas.

Born in Najaf, Iraq, in 1958 into a prominent Iranian religious family, Larijani relocated to Iran during childhood and eventually obtained a philosophy doctorate. Multiple brothers have also served in high-ranking government positions, including in the court system and foreign ministry.

In January, one of Larijani’s daughters lost her medical teaching job at Emory University in the United States after Iranian-American activists protested her father’s involvement in suppressing that month’s demonstrations.

LONDON — Military strikes targeting Iran have created widespread travel chaos throughout the Middle East, forcing the closure of major airports and leaving tens of thousands of passengers stranded worldwide as the conflict entered its second day Sunday.

Major transportation hubs across the region remained shuttered Sunday following the joint U.S.-Israeli operation. Emirates Airlines halted all Dubai operations until at least Sunday afternoon, while Qatar Airways announced its airport would stay closed through Monday morning. Israeli airspace also continued its closure Sunday.

The widespread airspace restrictions have affected hundreds of thousands of travelers globally.

On Saturday, massive travel disruptions began when Israel, Qatar, Syria, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait and Bahrain all sealed their airspace to civilian aircraft. The United Arab Emirates implemented what officials called a “temporary and partial closure” of its airspace, effectively grounding all flight operations, according to flight monitoring service FlightRadar24.

The closures shuttered critical aviation hubs in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha, resulting in more than 1,800 flight cancellations by major Middle Eastern carriers. The three primary airlines serving these airports — Emirates, Qatar Airways and Etihad — normally handle approximately 90,000 daily passengers through their hubs, plus countless additional travelers bound for Middle Eastern destinations, aviation data company Cirium reports.

UAE authorities reported direct impacts at two of their airports, condemning what they described as a “blatant attack involving Iranian ballistic missiles” on Saturday.

Dubai International Airport — the UAE’s largest facility and among the world’s busiest — confirmed four people sustained injuries, while Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport reported one fatality and seven injuries from a drone attack. Kuwait International Airport also experienced strikes.

While Iran has not officially acknowledged responsibility, the retaliatory strikes that Gulf states blame on Iran went beyond the American military installations Iran had previously threatened to target.

“For travelers, there’s no way to sugarcoat this,” stated Henry Harteveldt, airline industry analyst and president of Atmosphere Research Group. “You should prepare for delays or cancellations for the next few days as these attacks evolve and hopefully end.”

Airlines operating Middle Eastern routes must now redirect flights around the conflict zone, with many aircraft routing south through Saudi Arabian airspace. These longer flight paths will add hours to journey times and increase fuel consumption, raising operational costs that airlines must absorb. Extended conflicts could drive ticket prices higher.

The increased air traffic will strain Saudi Arabia’s air traffic control systems, potentially requiring slower traffic flow to maintain safety standards. Meanwhile, countries with closed airspace will lose revenue from overflight fees that airlines typically pay.

However, Mike McCormick, former Federal Aviation Administration air traffic control overseer and current Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University professor, believes partial airspace reopening may occur within days once American and Israeli officials share military flight information and Iran’s remaining missile capabilities with airlines.

“Those countries then will be able to go through and say, okay, we can reopen this portion of our space but we’ll keep this portion of our airspace closed,” McCormick explained. “So I think what we’ll see in the next 24 to 36 hours how the use of airspace evolves as the kinetic activity gets more well defined and as the capability of Iran to actually shoot missiles and create additional risk is diminished due to the attacks.”

The duration of flight operation disruptions remains uncertain. For reference, the Israeli and U.S. military action against Iran in June 2025 continued for 12 days.

Rapidly changing conditions prompted airlines to advise passengers to verify flight status online before traveling to airports.

Several carriers have issued travel waivers allowing affected passengers to reschedule flights without additional fees or fare increases.

Jonathan Escott and his fiancé discovered their situation firsthand Saturday when they reached Newcastle, England’s airport only to learn their direct Emirates flight to Dubai had been canceled, stranding all passengers.

Escott returned to family accommodations an hour from the airport but remains uncertain about future travel plans.

“No one knows,” Escott said. “No one really knows what’s going on with the conflict, really. Not Emirates, Emirates don’t have a clue. No one has a clue.”

Flight tracking service FlightAware recorded at least 145 aircraft diverted to alternate airports in Athens, Istanbul, and Rome after being rerouted from destinations like Tel Aviv and Dubai early Saturday. Other flights returned to their departure points, including one aircraft that spent nearly 15 hours airborne after leaving Philadelphia, reaching Spain before turning back to its starting location.

Multiple airlines suspended weekend international service to Dubai as India’s civil aviation authority classified much of the Middle East — including airspace over Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Lebanon — as high-security risk zones at all flight levels.

Air India canceled all Middle Eastern flights. Turkish Airlines suspended service to Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Iran and Jordan until Monday, while also halting flights to Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Oman.

The carrier warned of potential additional cancellations, joining numerous other airlines suspending regional service through the weekend.

American carriers Delta Air Lines and United Airlines paused Tel Aviv flights at least through the weekend. Dutch carrier KLM had already announced earlier this week its suspension of Tel Aviv service.

Lufthansa, Air France, Transavia and Pegasus eliminated all Lebanon flights, while American Airlines suspended Philadelphia-to-Doha service.

Virgin Atlantic announced it would avoid Iraqi airspace, potentially extending flight times to and from India, the Maldives and Riyadh. The airline, already avoiding Iranian airspace, said all flights would carry extra fuel for potential short-notice rerouting.

British Airways suspended Tel Aviv and Bahrain flights until next week, while canceling Saturday’s Amman, Jordan service.

“Travelers should anticipate that there will be a lot of disruptions,” Harteveldt warned. “To be honest, if you haven’t left home, chances are you won’t be leaving home if you’re supposed to travel to or through these destinations for at least several days, if not longer. And if you are returning home, you will have to be very creative about how you get home.”

International air travel faced severe disruptions Sunday as ongoing military strikes forced the closure of critical Middle Eastern airports, including Dubai – the world’s busiest international airport – creating one of aviation’s most significant disruptions in recent memory.

Major transit hubs such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, along with Doha in Qatar, either closed completely or operated under heavy restrictions as regional airspace remained largely inaccessible. The Gulf region continues dealing with instability following U.S. and Israeli military operations that resulted in the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Saturday.

Israeli forces announced additional strikes against Iran on Sunday, while explosive sounds echoed for the second consecutive day near Dubai and above Doha, following Iran’s retaliatory aerial attacks on neighboring Gulf nations.

Iran’s assault caused structural damage to Dubai International Airport, with facilities in Abu Dhabi and Kuwait also suffering hits. Flight tracking service FlightAware reports thousands of flights throughout the Middle East have been impacted since U.S. forces initially struck Iran on Saturday.

The consequences extend well beyond Middle Eastern borders. Dubai and Doha serve as crucial connection points for east-west aviation routes, managing long-distance traffic between Europe and Asia through carefully coordinated flight networks. With these major hubs offline, planes and flight crews remain displaced, creating worldwide airline scheduling problems.

“It’s the sheer volume of people and the complexity,” explained John Strickland, a UK-based aviation analyst.

“It is not only customers, it is the crews and aircraft all over place.”

Airlines throughout Europe, Asia and the Middle East have canceled flights or changed routes to bypass closed airspace, resulting in longer travel times and increased fuel expenses. The situation worsened with the loss of flight paths over Iran and Iraq, routes that became more valuable after the Russia-Ukraine conflict forced carriers to avoid those nations’ airspace.

According to Ian Petchenik, communications director at Flightradar24, the Middle Eastern airspace restrictions are forcing airlines into tighter flight corridors, while ongoing tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan present additional risks.

“The risk of protracted disruption is the main concern from a commercial aviation perspective,” Petchenik stated.

“Any escalation in the conflict between Pakistan and Afghanistan that results in the closure of airspace would have drastic consequences for travel between Europe and Asia.”

Residents of Dubai and Doha reported hearing powerful explosions throughout Sunday, marking the second consecutive day of Iranian retaliatory attacks targeting Gulf region locations following U.S. and Israeli military actions against Iran.

While Iranian officials had initially indicated their focus would be on American military installations in the area, the strikes have expanded to include various civilian and commercial locations throughout major Gulf cities.

In Dubai, two residents sustained injuries when debris from intercepted drones crashed into residential properties, according to an official statement from Dubai’s Media office.

The attacks caused significant damage to several of Dubai’s most recognizable sites, including the busy international airport, the iconic Burj Al Arab hotel, and the exclusive artificial Palm Jumeirah Island development.

Dark smoke clouds remained visible rising from the Jebel Ali port district, where a dock facility ignited Sunday morning due to falling debris from a missile that was shot down during an aerial interception.

As the Middle East’s largest center for tourism and commerce, Dubai operates one of the globe’s most heavily trafficked airports for international travel.

Officials from Qatar’s interior ministry confirmed Sunday they were addressing a contained fire at an industrial facility caused by falling debris from a successfully intercepted missile.

NAIROBI – Six individuals perished in a helicopter accident that occurred Saturday in Kenya’s western region, with a sitting member of parliament among the victims, according to police and government sources.

The aircraft went down in Nandi County, located in the North Rift area of the country. Authorities have not yet determined what caused the fatal crash. Samuel Mukusi, the county’s police commander, confirmed to Citizen TV that the casualties included the parliamentarian, the aircraft’s pilot, and four additional passengers.

In a social media statement, President William Ruto named the deceased lawmaker as Johana Ng’eno, who represented the Emurua Dikirr constituency.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, his friends, the people of Emurua Dikirr, and all the victims and families affected by the helicopter crash in Mosop, Nandi County,” Ruto wrote.

Authorities have not released the identities of the remaining passengers who died in the crash.

Belgian military forces have intercepted and taken control of an oil tanker suspected of operating as part of Russia’s covert shipping network, according to an announcement from Belgian Defense Minister Theo Francken on Sunday.

The operation involved Belgian armed forces working in coordination with French defense personnel to board the vessel at sea, Francken revealed in a social media statement posted early Sunday morning.

“Over the past few hours, our armed forces, with the support of the French Defence, have boarded an oil tanker belonging to the Russian shadow fleet,” Francken wrote on X.

The intercepted tanker is now under military escort heading toward Zeebrugge port, where Belgian authorities plan to formally confiscate the vessel, the defense minister confirmed.

“The vessel is currently being escorted to the port of Zeebrugge, where it will be seized,” Francken stated in his announcement.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iranian forces launched missile attacks targeting Israel and several Gulf nations on Sunday, responding to the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in a coordinated American-Israeli military operation. President Donald Trump has warned Tehran against additional escalation following the strikes.

Tehran confirmed Khamenei’s death occurred during the combined US-Israeli air assault on Saturday at his office complex in the Iranian capital, creating uncertainty about the Islamic Republic’s future and heightening concerns over regional stability.

Iranian state television reported that the 86-year-old leader died at his workplace, stating this “demonstrated his unwavering commitment to remain with his people and fulfill his duties while facing what authorities describe as global tyranny.”

Trump declared that eliminating Khamenei provided Iranians with their “best opportunity” to “reclaim” their nation.

“Khamenei, among history’s most wicked individuals, is deceased,” Trump posted on social media.

Iran’s government pledged this “heinous act will face consequences,” while the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard promised to execute their “most aggressive military campaign” in history, focusing on Israeli and American installations.

“You have violated our boundaries and must face retribution,” declared Iran’s parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf during a televised speech Sunday. “We will inflict such crushing defeats that you will find yourselves pleading for mercy.”

“Iran has announced they plan to strike with unprecedented force today,” Trump responded via social media. “THEY HAD BETTER RECONSIDER, BECAUSE IF THEY PROCEED, WE WILL RESPOND WITH POWER NEVER BEFORE WITNESSED!”

Following the initial attacks, Iranian forces immediately deployed missiles and drones against Israeli territory and American military facilities in Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar. Israeli defense officials reported Iran launched numerous missiles toward Israel, with many successfully intercepted. The Magen David Adom emergency service confirmed Saturday evening that a woman in the Tel Aviv vicinity died from injuries sustained during an Iranian missile strike.

Aviation across the Middle East faced disruptions, while air defense systems activated over Dubai, the UAE’s business hub, with explosions persisting through Sunday morning. Iranian missile fragments striking the UAE capital resulted in one fatality according to state media, while debris from aerial intercepts sparked fires at the city’s primary port and damaged the famous Burj Al Arab hotel’s exterior.

The Iranian operation marks a dramatic escalation in US military involvement, carrying potential for retaliatory attacks and broader warfare, representing a bold display of force from an American president who campaigned on “America First” principles and promised to avoid prolonged conflicts.

Eliminating Khamenei during Trump’s second administration, marking the second Iranian assault in eight months, will likely generate a leadership crisis given no clear successor exists and the supreme leader maintained ultimate authority over major decisions throughout his decades-long rule. He controlled Iran’s religious establishment and Revolutionary Guard, the governing theocracy’s primary power centers.

“This represents the greatest opportunity for Iranian citizens to reclaim their nation,” Trump stated.

Iran rapidly established a governing council to oversee the country while selecting a new supreme leader.

State media additionally reported deaths of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard commander and a senior security advisor to Khamenei in the airstrikes. Major General Mohammad Pakpour assumed leadership of the Guard following Israel’s elimination of the previous commander during last June’s 12-day conflict. The advisor, Ali Shamkhani, had served as a prominent figure within Iran’s security apparatus, IRNA reported.

As news emerged regarding Khamenei’s death, witnesses in Tehran informed The Associated Press that some citizens celebrated, shouting from rooftops, sounding whistles and making celebratory calls.

Mourners displayed a black funeral flag above the Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad, Iran’s second-largest city and significant Shiite Muslim pilgrimage destination. Iranian officials announced 40 days of public mourning and a week-long national holiday honoring Khamenei’s death.

The semi-official Fars news agency, considered aligned with the Revolutionary Guard, cited unnamed sources reporting several Khamenei family members also perished, including a daughter, son-in-law, daughter-in-law and grandchild.

The collaborative US-Israel mission, which officials indicate required months of planning, occurred Saturday during Ramadan’s Muslim holy fasting period and Iran’s workweek beginning. It followed tense negotiations and Trump’s warnings, who previously celebrated his administration’s success in dismantling the country’s nuclear capabilities but characterized recent actions as necessary to prevent their restoration.

Approximately 12 hours after attacks commenced, US military officials reported no American casualties and minimal base damage despite “hundreds of Iranian missile and drone assaults.” They stated Iranian targets included Revolutionary Guard command centers, air defense installations, missile and drone launching sites, and military airfields.

Israeli forces reported eliminating the Revolutionary Guard Corps commander and Iran’s defense minister, plus the Iranian Security Council secretary, a close Khamenei advisor.

An Iranian diplomat informed the United Nations Security Council that hundreds of civilians suffered casualties in the strikes. Iran responded by launching missiles and drones toward Israel and US regional military bases, with fighting continuing overnight.

Initial Iranian strikes appeared to impact areas near Khamenei’s offices, the Islamic Republic’s second leader who succeeded Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, who led the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Israeli officials confirmed the death, followed by Trump’s announcement.

Democrats criticized Trump for acting without congressional approval. White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt stated the administration briefed several Republican and Democratic congressional leaders beforehand.

Tensions escalated recently as the Trump administration assembled the largest American naval and air presence in the Middle East in decades. The president emphasized wanting an agreement limiting Iran’s nuclear program while the country faced growing internal dissent following nationwide demonstrations.

Despite Trump declaring Iran’s nuclear program destroyed in previous strikes, the country was rebuilding lost infrastructure, according to a senior US official speaking anonymously about Trump’s decision-making. Intelligence indicated Iran developed capabilities for producing high-quality centrifuges, crucial for creating highly enriched uranium required for weapons.

Iran expressed hopes to prevent war while maintaining uranium enrichment rights.

Iran claimed no enrichment since June but blocked international inspectors from visiting bombed sites. Associated Press satellite imagery analysis revealed new activity at two locations, suggesting Iran attempts to assess and potentially recover materials.

Israel stated the operation involved months of US coordination. Air Force pilots struck “hundreds of Iranian targets,” Israeli military chief Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir announced.

Israeli campaign targets included Iran’s military, government symbols and intelligence sites, according to an operation-briefed official speaking anonymously about classified attack details.

Trump acknowledged Saturday that American casualties remained possible, stating “that frequently occurs during warfare.” He aimed to “eliminate” Iran’s navy and destroy Tehran-supported regional proxies. He urged Iranian Revolutionary Guard members to surrender, offering immunity or warning of “inevitable death” for resistance.

In southern Iran, at least 115 people reportedly died when a girls’ school was hit, with dozens more injured, the local governor told Iranian state television. US Central Command spokesperson Captain Tim Hawkins said he was “aware of reports” about the school strike and officials were investigating.

Iran’s IRNA news agency reported at least 15 deaths in the southwest, quoting Lamerd region governor Ali Alizadeh stating a sports facility, two residential areas and a school-adjacent hall were struck.

The strikes could disrupt global markets, particularly if Iran threatens Strait of Hormuz commercial shipping. One-third of worldwide seaborne oil exports passed through the strait in 2025.

Saudi Arabia reported repelling Iranian attacks on its capital and eastern regions. Bahrain said missile attacks targeted the US Navy’s 5th Fleet headquarters on the island nation, with three buildings damaged in Manama and Muharraq city by drone strikes and intercepted missile debris.

Kuwait’s aviation authority reported a drone targeting the main international airport, injuring several workers. Kuwait’s state news agency said three soldiers suffered shrapnel injuries from strikes hitting Ali Al-Salem air base. Explosions were also audible in Qatar. Jordan reported “handling” 49 drones and ballistic missiles.

ALGIERS, Algeria (AP) — During the sacred month of Ramadan, Algerian families face a challenging reality: the traditional evening meals that break the daily fast are becoming too expensive for many to afford.

While Ramadan holds deep spiritual meaning for Muslims worldwide, it also traditionally brings families together around tables filled with abundant, diverse foods after the evening call to prayer signals the end of each day’s fast.

However, these ceremonial meals now carry price tags that many Algerians cannot manage, as their buying power has weakened over recent years. This economic decline has occurred despite the country’s substantial oil and natural gas resources, forcing increasing numbers of citizens into poverty.

Grocery costs have skyrocketed, and marketplace disputes sometimes turn violent.

Following massive nationwide demonstrations in 2019 that shook Algeria, government officials grew worried about potential social upheaval and made commitments to provide economic assistance.

“Back in the 1970s, our wages weren’t high, but we could prepare for Ramadan and buy fresh meat, fruit, and vegetables,” Ahmed Messai, a former railroad employee, shared with The Associated Press while shopping at the Clauzel market in downtown Algiers.

The market’s main level serves as the pulse of business activity in Algeria’s capital city, where vendor booths overflow with attractively arranged fruits and vegetables.

However, as Ramadan drew near, costs increased sharply.

One elderly woman, wrapped in her customary white haik robe, complained about onion prices jumping from 45 dinars per kilogram to 100 dinars (35 cents to 77 cents) within just two days. She angrily confronted a stoic merchant who explained his profit requirements to her. Carrots now cost 150 dinars per kilogram, bell peppers 200 dinars, and green beans 550 dinars.

The woman left with an empty shopping basket.

Algeria’s leadership has attempted to prosecute Ramadan price manipulators, with minimal success. During a recent special cabinet meeting focused on Ramadan food availability, President Abdelmadjid Tebboune declared, “all conditions must be guaranteed to allow citizens to spend the holy month in perfect peace and without worry.”

His commitments included government purchases of 144,000 sheep and 46,000 cattle to increase meat availability for Ramadan dining. Premium local lamb from Algeria’s High Plateaus, prized for its taste and fragrance, along with young beef from the Kabyle mountains, have become unaffordable even for middle-class workers.

Community organizations provide crucial support for financially strained families during Ramadan. Restaurant proprietors convert their businesses into charitable dining halls or “mercy restaurants” offering complimentary meals.

“It’s a good mechanism for solidarity and civic awareness,” explained academic Hocine Zairar, “but the proliferation of this type of restaurant says something serious about our society: how poverty is gaining ground in our country.”

The Algerian Red Crescent operates one of Algiers’ most extensive mercy restaurant programs across multiple neighborhoods. Diners occupy long table rows inside a massive tent erected in a downtown plaza to end their daily fast. “The atmosphere is family-friendly and we serve up to 800 meals a day,” explained Nour el-Houda Remdani, an event coordinator, while moving among the rows of people receiving the free food.

These charitable restaurants previously served mainly single individuals, homeless people, or travelers. However, in recent years, complete families now depend on these temporary dining facilities.

The president has acknowledged significant economic changes in recent years.

“The middle class, once the pride of Algeria, is now being decimated by the crisis,” Tebboune stated during a television interview on Algerian media earlier this month.

Tebboune has also committed to raising the minimum wage from 20,000 to 24,000 dinars, boosting retirement payments by 5 to 10 percent, and increasing jobless benefits for college graduates from 15,000 to 18,000 dinars.

Algeria’s typical income equals 42,800 dinars, roughly $330 using official currency rates, and under $235 on unofficial markets.

Professor Redouane Boudjema from Algiers’ Institute of Journalism described the government’s Ramadan assistance programs as attempts to maintain “social peace” and “absorb political anger stemming from restrictions on civil and trade union freedoms.”

The death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a coordinated U.S.-Israeli military operation has plunged the Islamic Republic into uncertainty and heightened fears of widespread regional conflict.

Iranian state television and the official IRNA news agency confirmed the 86-year-old leader’s death on Sunday morning. Hours before the Iranian announcement, President Donald Trump had already revealed Khamenei’s death, stating it provided Iranians with their “greatest chance” to “take back” their nation.

The confirmation followed a combined American-Israeli air campaign that struck Iranian military installations and government facilities. Trump described the “heavy and pinpoint bombing” as an operation that would persist throughout the week or for as long as required.

This military action represents a dramatic escalation in U.S. involvement in Iran, becoming the second American attack on the country within eight months during ongoing nuclear program negotiations. Khamenei’s elimination after holding power for decades is expected to trigger a substantial leadership crisis, as no clear successor has been identified and the supreme leader controlled all major policy decisions.

Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard responded on Sunday with warnings of launching their “most-intense offensive operation” ever against Israeli and American military installations.

Argentine President Javier Milei commended the joint American-Israeli mission that led to Khamenei’s death, calling him “one of the most evil, violent, and cruel individuals in modern history.”

Milei referenced the 1994 bombing of the AMIA Jewish community center in Buenos Aires, which claimed 85 lives and wounded hundreds in one of Argentina’s deadliest terrorist incidents.

The Argentine leader emphasized that seeking justice for AMIA victims remains a national priority. “We will continue until the last person responsible pays with his freedom or his life for this horrific crime,” Milei declared.

Chinese authorities are organizing evacuations for their nationals in Iran, according to media reports.

Over 200 Chinese citizens are currently dispersed throughout Iran, Iran Federation of Chinese Organizations president Tan Kai informed the Global Times. The organization is preparing evacuation procedures under Chinese Embassy guidance, Tan explained.

Embassy officials confirmed that land crossings with Azerbaijan, Armenia and Turkey remain accessible for those choosing to leave independently.

The Chinese embassy in Israel has instructed citizens to relocate to secure areas away from Tel Aviv, Haifa and Jerusalem city centers, as well as airports, power facilities and similar infrastructure. Officials announced they would begin registering citizens on Sunday who require evacuation assistance to Egypt.

Two senior Iranian officials died in the American-Israeli airstrikes, state media confirmed Sunday.

IRNA reported the death of Major General Mohammad Pakpour, who had assumed leadership of the Revolutionary Guard after Israel eliminated his predecessor during the 12-day June conflict.

Ali Shamkhani, a longtime prominent figure in Iran’s security apparatus, also perished in the strikes, according to IRNA. Shamkhani had sustained injuries during the June war.

A governing council has been established to lead Iran following Khamenei’s death.

This council operates under Islamic Republic law and includes Iran’s current president, the judiciary head, and a Guardian Council member selected by Iran’s Expediency Council, which provides guidance to the supreme leader and resolves parliamentary disputes.

The council comprises reformist President Masoud Pezeshkian and hardline judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei.

Iranian law mandates that the Assembly of Experts “must, as soon as possible,” select a new supreme leader.

Questions about duration, escalation, and global implications are reverberating worldwide as international leaders respond with careful concern to military strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran, amid reports of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s death.

President Donald Trump announced on social media that Khamenei had died, describing it as “the single greatest chance for the Iranian people to take back their Country.” Iranian state television confirmed early Sunday that the 86-year-old leader had passed away, though no cause of death was provided.

Anonymous Israeli officials had previously confirmed to The Associated Press that Khamenei was dead. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated during a televised announcement that there were “growing signs” indicating Khamenei was killed during Israel’s Saturday morning strike on his compound.

The potential death of Iran’s second supreme leader since the Islamic Republic’s founding, who had not named a successor, could plunge the nation’s future into chaos and heighten existing fears of wider regional warfare. An emergency UN Security Council session has been scheduled.

Many nations appeared hesitant to directly address or criticize the joint military operations, possibly to avoid further straining relationships with Trump, instead focusing their condemnation on Tehran’s retaliatory response. Middle Eastern governments followed a similar pattern to European nations, denouncing Iran’s attacks on Arab countries while remaining quiet about American and Israeli military actions.

Some nations took clearer positions: Australia and Canada publicly backed the U.S. strikes, while Russia and China issued sharp criticisms.

Saturday’s major assault by the U.S. and Israel prompted Trump to urge Iranian citizens to “seize control of your destiny” by overthrowing the Islamic government that has controlled Iran since 1979. Iran responded by launching missiles and drones at Israeli targets and American military installations throughout the Middle East.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz issued a joint statement urging both the U.S. and Iran to restart diplomatic discussions and expressed preference for a peaceful resolution. They clarified that their nations did not participate in the Iranian strikes but maintain ongoing communication with the U.S., Israel, and regional allies.

These three European powers have spearheaded diplomatic efforts to negotiate a solution regarding Iran’s nuclear capabilities.

“We condemn Iranian attacks on countries in the region in the strongest terms. Iran must refrain from indiscriminate military strikes,” they stated. “Ultimately, the Iranian people must be allowed to determine their future.”

During a subsequent emergency security session, Macron emphasized that France was “neither warned nor involved” in the military action. He advocated for increased diplomatic efforts, stating “no one can think that the questions of Iran’s nuclear program, ballistic activity, regional destabilization will be settled by strikes alone.”

The Arab League, comprising 22 member nations, characterized the Iranian attacks as “a blatant violation of the sovereignty of countries that advocate for peace and strive for stability.” This alliance has traditionally criticized both Israeli and Iranian actions it considers destabilizing to regional peace.

Morocco, Jordan, Syria, and the United Arab Emirates all condemned Iranian missile strikes against U.S. military facilities across the region, including installations in Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and the Emirates.

Syria’s response was particularly notable, as the country under former President Bashar Assad had been among Iran’s strongest regional partners and fierce Israeli critics. However, its foreign ministry statement focused solely on condemning Iran, demonstrating the new government’s efforts to repair relationships with regional economic powers and the United States.

Saudi Arabia declared it “condemns and denounces in the strongest terms the treacherous Iranian aggression and the blatant violation of sovereignty.” Oman, which has served as a mediator in U.S.-Iran negotiations, criticized the American action as constituting “a violation of the rules of international law and the principle of settling disputes through peaceful means, rather than through hostility and the shedding of blood.”

New Zealand offered qualified acknowledgment rather than full endorsement, recognizing Saturday’s U.S. and Israeli attacks as preventing the Iranian government from continuing as an active threat. “The legitimacy of a government rests on the support of its people,” stated New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Minister Winston Peters jointly. “The Iranian regime has long since lost that support.”

European and Middle Eastern nations employed diplomatic language, seeking to avoid appearing either supportive of unilateral American military action or directly critical of the United States.

Other countries spoke more directly. Russia’s Foreign Ministry labeled the strikes “a pre-planned and unprovoked act of armed aggression against a sovereign and independent U.N. member state.” The ministry accused Washington and Tel Aviv of using concerns about Iran’s nuclear program as cover while actually seeking regime change.

China’s government expressed being “highly concerned” about the American and Israeli attacks on Iran and demanded immediate cessation of military operations and return to diplomatic talks. “Iran’s sovereignty, security and territorial integrity should be respected,” according to a Chinese Foreign Ministry statement.

Canada, despite recent diplomatic tensions with the U.S., also voiced support for the military intervention. “The Islamic Republic of Iran is the principal source of instability and terror throughout the Middle East,” stated Prime Minister Mark Carney.

The UN Security Council arranged an emergency session to address the U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran, following requests from Bahrain and France.

Palestinians in the occupied West Bank appeared largely unaffected as warfare erupted Saturday, continuing their activities despite the sounds of Israel’s Iron Dome system intercepting overhead missiles.

Palestinian cities lack the warning systems or protective shelters available in Israel, despite facing risks from falling debris or misdirected projectiles. While residents took cover less than 10 miles away in Jerusalem, Ramallah’s streets remained busy with shoppers at meat counters, produce stands, and Ramadan sweet shops, with some pausing to record distant sirens and missile interceptions.

However, Israel’s closure of checkpoints restricting movement of people and goods on Saturday led to unusually long lines at gas stations as residents filled extra containers anticipating potential supply interruptions.

The Palestinian Authority issued a statement condemning Iranian attacks on Arab nations, many of which have historically provided financial support. The statement made no reference to Israeli or American strikes.

Anxiety is evident across multiple countries. Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide expressed to Norwegian broadcaster NRK his concern that failed U.S.-Iran negotiations could lead to “a new, extensive war in the Middle East.”

The Nobel Peace Prize-winning International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons issued stronger criticism of the U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran. “These attacks are totally irresponsible and risk provoking further escalation as well as increasing the danger of nuclear proliferation and the use of nuclear weapons,” declared executive director Melissa Parke.

European Union leaders released a joint Saturday statement calling for restraint and regional diplomatic engagement aimed at “ensuring nuclear safety.” The Arab League similarly appealed to all international parties “to work towards de-escalation as soon as possible, to spare the region the scourge of instability and violence, and to return to dialogue.”

Iranian citizens are grappling with uncertainty following the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in coordinated American and Israeli military operations, as Israel announced it conducted additional airstrikes against Iranian targets on Sunday.

Iranian state television confirmed the 86-year-old leader’s death on Saturday, occurring hours after Washington and Tel Aviv announced their joint assault represented the most extensive military action against Iran in recent decades.

President Donald Trump defended the Iranian operations as necessary to eliminate a long-standing regional threat and prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear capabilities, despite the action appearing to contradict his previous statements opposing American engagement in complicated international conflicts.

Sunday morning’s Israeli military operations focused on Iran’s missile defense networks and ballistic weapon facilities, according to the Israeli Defense Forces. Tehran residents reported hearing explosions throughout the capital city on Sunday.

Iran responded to Saturday’s initial assault by firing hundreds of rockets and unmanned aircraft at American military installations across the region and cities in Israel and Washington-aligned Arab nations, causing widespread airline disruptions throughout the area.

Pentagon officials reported no American casualties from the Iranian counterattack, though defense analysts warned of increased risks to U.S. personnel. A senior intelligence source informed Reuters that while military bases faced the greatest immediate danger, Iranian cyber warfare units could potentially target American infrastructure systems.

The Iranian missile barrage damaged Dubai’s main airport and the famous Burj Al Arab hotel, injuring four people. Abu Dhabi’s airport authority initially reported one death of an Asian citizen and seven injuries at Zayed International Airport before removing the social media announcement.

Tehran announced Saturday that it had blocked the Strait of Hormuz, the vital waterway carrying approximately 20 percent of global petroleum shipments, sparking predictions of significant oil price increases.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps issued a Sunday statement promising their largest-ever retaliatory operation against American bases and Israeli territory.

At an emergency United Nations Security Council session Saturday, Iranian UN representative Amir Saeid Iravani stated that hundreds of civilians died and sustained injuries in the American-Israeli bombardment. Iravani characterized Iran’s military response as justified self-defense, declaring that hostile forces’ installations constitute valid military objectives.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged immediate hostility cessation and expressed regret that diplomatic opportunities had been “squandered.”

Social media footage showed Iranian citizens celebrating in Tehran, nearby Karaj, and central Isfahan following news of Khamenei’s death, though Reuters could not independently confirm the video authenticity.

Two American sources and one official revealed that Israel and the U.S. coordinated their attack timing with a high-level meeting between Khamenei and his senior advisors.

Iranian media reported that Khamenei was conducting business in his office when Saturday morning’s strike occurred. The attack also killed his daughter, grandchild, daughter-in-law, and son-in-law, according to state broadcasters.

The Revolutionary Guards released a statement mourning “a great leader,” while Trump posted on social media calling him “one of the most evil people in History.”

Both Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged Iranian citizens to revolt against their government following the attacks, which eliminated at least seven top military commanders according to Israeli military reports.

Regional analysts suggested that while Khamenei’s death and other leadership losses would significantly damage Iran, it might not end the established religious government or diminish Revolutionary Guard influence over the population.

Israeli military campaigns over the previous two years had already eliminated several Iranian senior officers and substantially weakened Tehran’s regional proxy organizations across the Middle East.

Following Israel’s 12-day aerial campaign against Iran in June, supported by American forces, both nations had warned of additional strikes if Iran continued its nuclear and missile development programs.

During Saturday’s Security Council meeting, Russian and Chinese diplomats condemned American and Israeli actions for attacking while Tehran engaged in negotiations with Washington. Russian UN envoy Vasily Nebenzya accused the U.S. of stabbing Iran “in the back” and challenged American justifications for preventing Iranian nuclear weapons acquisition.

Senior American officials said Saturday that recent diplomatic discussions revealed Iran’s unwillingness to abandon uranium enrichment capabilities, which Iranians claimed supported nuclear energy but U.S. officials argued would enable weapons development.

DUBAI – Explosive blasts and massive fireballs from Iranian rockets flying over Gulf nations have confirmed what regional leaders have long worried about: Tehran’s ability to bring armed conflict directly to their territories, potentially strengthening Arab support for coordinated U.S.-Israeli military operations.

In Dubai’s most exclusive resort area, The Palm, explosions shook buildings and struck an upscale hotel, forcing frightened residents to seek shelter as rockets and defense systems streaked overhead. The incident served as clear evidence that the fighting had extended past Iran’s boundaries, exactly as Tehran had previously threatened.

“What has now been proven is that we – not the United States – are in the line of fire,” said Dr Ebtesam Al-Ketbi, President of the Emirates Policy Center. “When Iran struck, it struck the Gulf first under the pretext of targeting U.S. bases.”

Regional experts believe Iran’s attacks on Gulf territories are designed to show that no American partner in the area is safe from retaliation, while increasing the price of supporting Washington’s military efforts.

“The danger is that any miscalculation could push the region from an exchange of signals into an open war,” added al Ketbi.

EXISTENTIAL CONFLICT

Sources throughout the Gulf region indicate that by striking oil-wealthy Gulf nations, Tehran is expanding the conflict zone internationally and endangering worldwide petroleum supplies, not merely regional stability.

For rapidly developing economies like Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates – which rely on unrestricted airspace, safe maritime routes and international commerce – a wider war would cause severe economic disruption.

By presenting the conflict as an effort to overthrow Iran’s government, Trump has made it a fight for survival, increasing the likelihood that Tehran will strike back aggressively, according to Mohammed Baharoon, director-general of the Dubai Public Policy Research Center (B’huth).

“If Iran miscalculates and carries out an act of war against Gulf Cooperation Council countries, the conflict will change fundamentally. People can’t stand by while lives are being lost and assets destroyed and do nothing.”

Regional analyst Abdelkhaleq Abdulla believes Iran is making a serious error by attacking its neighboring countries.

“It is foolish of Iran to alienate the people nearest to it,” Abdulla said. “Tehran may believe it is targeting U.S. military bases, but Gulf states see this as a blatant act of aggression– a violation of their sovereignty and an attack on their land.”

During recent behind-the-scenes negotiations between the U.S. and Iran designed to prevent all-out war, Tehran agreed to negotiate regarding its nuclear activities but maintained that its missile program and support for regional armed groups were non-negotiable topics, according to sources familiar with the discussions.

Iran has signaled that any conversations about its rocket capabilities and allied militias should occur only within a regional setting, excluding Washington from participation, the sources revealed.

However, Gulf Arab nations – long-standing American allies who have previously been targeted by Iran and its proxy forces – contend that excluding Washington would undermine rather than strengthen the region’s security framework.

From the Gulf nations’ viewpoint, Iran’s missile stockpile and proxy forces represent immediate dangers. Tehran proposed a regional security arrangement without American involvement, but Gulf states found little merit in such a plan without external security backing.

“The implications are huge for Saudi Arabia and the Gulf,” said one source close to government circles. “All U.S. allies in the region are now united against Iran.”

TRUMP ESCALATES STAKES

Paul Salem of the Middle East Institute observed that Trump’s messaging has changed dramatically. While recently he portrayed potential American attacks as pressure to force Iran into nuclear negotiations, his announcement speech explicitly demanded government change.

Unlike the massive 2003 American ground invasion of Iraq, Trump seems to be wagering on a brief, decisive operation that produces clear outcomes within days or weeks, minimizes American casualties and reduces domestic political consequences.

The strategy assumes that rapid success would benefit him politically, while extended fighting – particularly if it affects oil prices or broader economic conditions – could prove damaging.

While the Bush administration invested months developing legal and political justification and deployed approximately 300,000 soldiers in a ground invasion leading to years of military occupation, Trump has chosen a restricted aerial bombardment campaign.

But if hostilities expand – involving American military installations, diplomatic facilities, energy infrastructure or the world’s most critical oil transport channel through the Strait of Hormuz – the economic and political dangers would increase dramatically for the United States, Gulf nations and international markets.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Following the passing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, critical questions emerge regarding the nation’s political direction. While religious authorities are responsible for selecting his successor, the transition process within Iran’s theocratic government structure presents numerous complexities.

Key details about the succession:

The responsibility for choosing Iran’s supreme leader falls to the Assembly of Experts, a body comprised of 88 members. This same group also holds the authority to dismiss a supreme leader, though such action has never been taken.

This assembly consists exclusively of Shiite religious scholars who win their positions through popular elections held every eight years. However, their candidacies must receive approval from the Guardian Council, Iran’s constitutional oversight body. This council has a history of rejecting candidates across various Iranian elections, including Assembly of Experts races. In March 2024, the Guardian Council blocked former Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, considered a moderate who helped negotiate the 2015 nuclear agreement with international powers, from running for the Assembly of Experts.

According to Iranian legal requirements, the Assembly of Experts “must, as soon as possible” select a new supreme leader. However, during the interim period, a leadership council may “temporarily assume all the duties of leadership.”

This temporary council would include Iran’s current president, the nation’s top judicial official, and a Guardian Council representative selected by Iran’s Expediency Council, which provides counsel to the supreme leader and resolves legislative conflicts. Under current circumstances, this leadership council would feature Iran’s reformist President Masoud Pezeshkian alongside hard-line judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei.

Religious discussions regarding succession and related political maneuvering occur behind closed doors, making it difficult to determine leading candidates.

Earlier speculation centered on Khamenei’s ally, hard-line President Ebrahim Raisi, as a possible successor. However, Raisi died in a helicopter accident in May 2024. This development has brought attention to Mojtaba, one of Khamenei’s sons and a 56-year-old Shiite cleric, as a possible contender, despite his lack of government experience. However, a father-to-son succession for the supreme leader position could generate significant backlash, not only from Iranians who oppose clerical governance, but also from system supporters. Many might view such a transition as contrary to Islamic principles and reminiscent of establishing another religious dynasty following the 1979 overthrow of U.S.-supported Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi’s regime.

Iran has experienced only one previous supreme leader transition since the position was established following the country’s 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Grand Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini passed away in 1989 at age 86, having served as the revolution’s symbolic leader and guiding Iran during its devastating eight-year conflict with Iraq. This current transition occurs following Israel’s 12-day military campaign against Iran in June 2025.

The supreme leader position represents the core of Iran’s intricate power-sharing Shiite theocratic system and maintains ultimate authority over all state decisions.

The role also includes serving as commander-in-chief of Iran’s armed forces and the influential Revolutionary Guard, a paramilitary organization that the United States classified as a terrorist group in 2019 and which gained significant power under Khamenei’s leadership. The Guard, which has spearheaded the self-proclaimed “Axis of Resistance” — a network of militant organizations and allies throughout the Middle East designed to oppose U.S. and Israeli influence — also controls substantial financial resources and assets within Iran.

The death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei at age 86 marks the end of a 36-year reign that transformed Iran into a formidable anti-American power while expanding its military reach throughout the Middle East, even as he brutally suppressed domestic opposition.

Iranian state media confirmed Khamenei died Saturday in combined airstrikes by Israel and the United States that destroyed his central Tehran headquarters, following the collapse of decades-long diplomatic attempts to resolve Iran’s nuclear program peacefully.

Initially viewed as weak and indecisive, Khamenei appeared an improbable successor to the charismatic Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, who established Iran’s Islamic Republic. However, Khamenei’s ascension to the nation’s highest position gave him complete control over Iranian politics.

Karim Sadjadpour from the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace described Khamenei to Reuters as “an accident of history” who transformed from “a weak president to an initially weak supreme leader to one of the five most powerful Iranians of the last 100 years.”

Throughout his leadership, the ayatollah maintained constant criticism of Washington, continuing his attacks even after Donald Trump began his second presidential term in 2025.

During recent protests sweeping Iran with chants like “Death to the dictator,” and as Trump threatened intervention, Khamenei declared in January that Iran would never “yield to the enemy.”

This statement exemplified the intensely anti-Western position Khamenei held since taking power in 1989.

By preserving Khomeini’s hardline approach, Khamenei consistently blocked the goals of various independently-minded elected presidents who pursued more moderate domestic and international policies.

Critics argue this approach guaranteed Iran’s international isolation.

ABSOLUTE AUTHORITY

For years, Khamenei rejected Western claims that Iran’s nuclear program aimed to create atomic weapons. In 2015, he reluctantly endorsed a nuclear agreement between global powers and pragmatic President Hassan Rouhani’s administration that limited Iran’s nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief. This hard-fought deal partially ended Iran’s economic and political isolation.

However, Khamenei’s anti-American sentiment remained unchanged, growing stronger in 2018 when Trump’s first presidency abandoned the nuclear agreement and restored sanctions that devastated Iran’s oil and shipping sectors.

After America’s withdrawal, Khamenei aligned with hardline supporters who attacked Rouhani’s conciliatory Western policies.

When Trump pressured Iran for a new nuclear agreement in 2025, Khamenei criticized “the rude and arrogant leaders of America.” “Who are you to decide whether Iran should have enrichment?” he demanded.

Khamenei regularly condemned “the Great Satan” in public addresses, satisfying hardliners who viewed anti-American hostility as central to the 1979 revolution that expelled Iran’s last shah.

Iran experienced significant student-led demonstrations in 1999 and 2002. However, Khamenei faced his greatest challenge in 2009, when disputed presidential election results he had endorsed sparked violent street protests, creating a legitimacy crisis that persisted until his death.

In 2022, Khamenei suppressed protesters outraged by the death of 22-year-old Iranian-Kurdish woman Mahsa Amini, who died while detained by morality police in September that year.

Confronting some of the most severe unrest since the revolution, Khamenei blamed Western adversaries before ordering protester executions and displaying their bodies hanging from cranes after months of demonstrations.

The Iranian people understood the message clearly.

As supreme leader, Khamenei wielded absolute power. He controlled massive authority, including military command and the right to select numerous senior officials, such as judicial heads, security agency leaders, and state media directors.

He placed allies in command of the elite Revolutionary Guards.

As Iran’s ultimate decision-maker in its complicated system combining clerical rule and restricted democracy, Khamenei worked to prevent any faction, including close supporters, from gaining sufficient power to oppose him and his anti-American position.

International scholars described him as a secretive ideologue afraid of betrayal — fears intensified by a 1981 assassination attempt that permanently damaged his right arm.

Global organizations and activists consistently condemned human rights violations in Iran. Tehran claimed it maintained the best human rights record in the Muslim world.

UNEXPECTED PATH TO POWER

Born in Mashhad, northeastern Iran, in April 1939, Ali Khamenei showed early religious dedication by becoming a cleric at age 11. He pursued studies in Iraq and Qom, Iran’s religious center.

His father, a religious scholar with ethnic Azeri background, was a traditional cleric who opposed combining religion and politics. Conversely, his son embraced the Islamist revolutionary movement.

“He (Khamenei’s father) came across as a modernist or progressive cleric,” explained Mahmoud Moradkhani, a nephew who opposes Khamenei’s leadership and lives in exile. Unlike his son, “he was not a part of the fundamentalists,” Moradkhani stated.

In 1963, at 24, Khamenei began his first of multiple imprisonments for political activities. Later that year, he spent 10 days in a Mashhad prison where he endured severe torture, according to his official biography.

Following the shah’s overthrow, Khamenei assumed various positions in the Islamic Republic. As deputy defense minister, he developed military connections and played a crucial role in the 1980-88 war with Iraq, which killed an estimated one million people total.

A gifted speaker, Khomeini appointed him as Friday prayer leader in Tehran.

Questions surrounded his rapid, unusual advancement. He secured the presidency with Khomeini’s backing — becoming the first cleric in that role — and was a surprising selection as Khomeini’s successor, lacking both Khomeini’s popular support and superior religious qualifications.

GROWING REGIONAL POWER

His Revolutionary Guards relationships proved valuable in 2009, when the force crushed protests following President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s re-election amid opposition claims of electoral fraud.

He also controlled a massive financial network through Setad, an organization Khomeini established but Khamenei greatly expanded, accumulating assets worth tens of billions of dollars.

Khamenei extended Iranian power regionally, strengthening Shiite militias in Iraq and Lebanon, and supporting then-President Bashar al-Assad by sending thousands of troops to Syria.

Over four decades, he invested billions in these partners — the “Axis of Resistance,” including Hamas, the Palestinian Islamist organization, and Yemen’s Houthis — to counter Israeli and American influence in the Middle East.

However, in 2024, Khamenei watched these partnerships collapse and Iran’s regional power diminish, with Assad’s removal and Israel’s successive victories against Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza, including eliminating their leaders.

Under Khamenei’s leadership, Iran and Israel conducted a covert war for years, with Israel assassinating Tehran’s nuclear scientists and Revolutionary Guard commanders.

This conflict became public during Israel’s Gaza war against Hamas starting in 2023. In April 2024, Iran launched hundreds of missiles and drones at Israel after it attacked Tehran’s embassy compound in Damascus. Israel retaliated by striking Iranian territory.

This was merely preparation for June 2025, when Israel’s military deployed hundreds of fighter jets against Iranian nuclear and military facilities and senior personnel. The surprise assault triggered massive missile exchanges, escalating simmering tensions into full warfare. The United States joined the 12-day air campaign against Iran.

The United States and Israel had threatened additional strikes if Iran continued its nuclear and ballistic missile programs, and on Saturday, they executed the most extensive attack on Iranian targets in decades.

Discussions between American and Iranian representatives occurred as recently as Thursday, but senior U.S. officials reported Iran’s unwillingness to abandon uranium enrichment capabilities, which Iranians claimed supported nuclear energy but Americans said enabled nuclear weapon development.

Diplomatically, Khamenei rejected any normalization with the United States. He claimed Washington supported extremist groups like Islamic State to fuel regional sectarian conflict.

Like all Iranian officials, Khamenei denied nuclear weapon development intentions and issued an Islamic ruling, or fatwa, in the mid-1990s regarding “production and usage” of nuclear weapons, declaring: “It is against our Islamic thoughts.”

He also endorsed Khomeini’s 1989 fatwa calling on Muslims to kill Indian-born author Salman Rushdie following publication of his novel “The Satanic Verses.”

Khamenei’s official website confirmed the death order’s continued validity as recently as 2017. Five years later, Rushdie was stabbed during a New York public lecture. The author suffered serious injuries but survived. The attacker, sentenced to 25 years in prison in 2025 for attempted murder, remained silent during trial.

The deceased ayatollah leaves an Islamic Republic facing uncertainty amid attacks from Israel and the United States, plus increasing domestic dissent, particularly among younger generations.

“I just want to live a peaceful, normal life … Instead, they (the rulers) insist on a nuclear programme, supporting armed groups in the region, and maintaining hostility toward the United States,” Mina, 25, told Reuters by phone from Kuhdasht in western Lorestan province at the beginning of 2026.

“Those policies may have made sense in 1979, but not today,” the unemployed university graduate continued. “The world has changed.”

The United States and Israel carried out their largest military strike against Iran in decades on Saturday, an operation that resulted in the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The massive foreign policy decision represents President Donald Trump’s boldest international move during his presidency, coming despite his campaign promises as a “peace president” and previous statements favoring diplomatic solutions with Iran. Trump provided limited advance explanation to Americans before the operation, briefly addressing the situation during last Tuesday’s State of the Union address and then through a video statement released Saturday, where he outlined five primary goals:

STOPPING IRAN’S NUCLEAR WEAPONS DEVELOPMENT

Trump has consistently stated, including in Saturday’s video, that Iran must never possess nuclear weapons. He claimed to have “obliterated” Iran’s nuclear capabilities during strikes last June, but stated this week that Tehran had tried to restart the program. “Just imagine how emboldened this regime would be if they ever had and actually were armed with nuclear weapons as a means to deliver their message,” Trump stated Saturday.

Both the United States and Israel justified the June bombings by citing Iran’s dangerous proximity to nuclear weapon production capability.

The UN’s International Atomic Energy Agency and U.S. intelligence agencies have independently concluded that Iran ended a nuclear weapons development program in 2003. Tehran continues to deny pursuing nuclear weapons while asserting its right under the Non-Proliferation Treaty to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes.

Western nations argue there’s no legitimate civilian reason for Iran’s uranium enrichment to current levels, with the IAEA expressing serious concerns. Historically, no other nation has enriched uranium to these levels without eventually developing nuclear weapons.

STOPPING IRAN’S MISSILE DEVELOPMENT

During both his State of the Union address and Saturday’s statement, Trump highlighted Iran’s missile program progress as a growing danger to America. Saturday, he said Iran had tried “to continue developing long-range missiles that can now threaten our very good friends and allies in Europe, our troops stationed overseas, and could soon reach the American homeland.”

Trump offered no supporting evidence for these claims, though Iranian state media has reported Tehran’s development of missiles capable of reaching the United States.

ELIMINATING THREATS TO AMERICANS AND ALLIES FROM IRAN AND PROXIES

Trump stated Saturday’s attacks aimed “to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime, a vicious group of very hard, terrible people.”

He described Iran’s “menacing activities directly endanger the United States, our troops, our bases overseas, and our allies throughout the world.”

Trump referenced multiple attacks including Iran’s violent seizure of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran starting in 1979, holding dozens of American hostages for 444 days; a “proxy” attack on a U.S. Marine barracks in Beirut in 1983 killing 241 American military personnel, and “countless” other actions against U.S. forces in the Middle East recently, plus attacks on international shipping.

He also highlighted Iran’s backing of Hamas, which conducted a deadly cross-border assault on Israel on October 7, 2023.

RESPONDING TO PROTESTER KILLINGS

In his State of the Union speech, Trump repeated allegations that Iran had killed at least 32,000 protesters in recent months, figures that remain unverified. Saturday, he referenced Iran killing “tens of thousands of its own citizens on the street as they protested.”

The U.S.-based monitoring group HRANA reported recording 7,007 confirmed deaths with 11,744 cases under investigation.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi stated Tehran had published a “comprehensive list” of all 3,117 killed during the unrest. An Iranian official told Reuters last month that authorities had confirmed at least 5,000 deaths, including approximately 500 security personnel.

REGIME CHANGE

Saturday, Trump appealed to “the great proud people of Iran” to overthrow their current leadership.

“I say tonight that the hour of your freedom is at hand,” he declared. “When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will be probably your only chance for generations.”

Trump, who monitored the operation from his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, announced Saturday afternoon that Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had died in the strikes.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu previously confirmed Khamenei’s compound had been destroyed, and a senior Israeli official told Reuters his body had been recovered.

Iranian state media subsequently confirmed Khamenei’s death in the attack.

While urging Iranians to overthrow their government, Trump warned: “The heavy and pinpoint bombing … will continue, uninterrupted throughout the week or, as long as necessary to achieve our objective of PEACE THROUGHOUT THE MIDDLE EAST AND, INDEED, THE WORLD!”

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — The man who controlled Iran’s theocratic government for more than 30 years has died following a joint military strike by Israel and the United States. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, 86, built Iran into a regional force while clashing with Western powers over nuclear weapons and brutally suppressing pro-democracy movements at home.

Iranian state television confirmed Khamenei’s death early Sunday morning, hours after President Donald Trump announced that the supreme leader had been eliminated in the coordinated attack.

Khamenei fundamentally transformed Iran’s Islamic Republic after assuming power following Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini’s death in 1989. While Khomeini was the passionate revolutionary who overthrew the shah and established clerical rule, Khamenei — a more reserved figure with lesser religious standing — was tasked with institutionalizing that revolutionary ideology.

His tenure ultimately lasted much longer than his predecessor’s. Khamenei significantly expanded the influence of Shiite clergy and transformed the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard into Iran’s most powerful institution. The Guard evolved into a massive military and economic force, controlling Iran’s missile program and maintaining influence across numerous business sectors.

However, mounting pressures became increasingly difficult to manage. Economic struggles and political oppression sparked larger and more frequent mass demonstrations. Outrage over Mahsa Amini’s 2022 death while in custody for improper hijab wearing triggered nationwide protests against social restrictions. By early January, hundreds of thousands demonstrated across Iran, with many shouting, “Death to Khamenei.”

Khamenei’s response was the most violent suppression in nearly five decades of clerical leadership, as security forces fired on protesters, resulting in thousands of deaths.

Meanwhile, the Middle East conflicts following Hamas’ October 7, 2023 assault on Israel began dismantling Khamenei’s regional “Axis of Resistance” network. For the first time in 2024, Israel and Iran launched direct attacks against each other. Israel struck Iran again in June 2025, with the U.S. joining efforts to target nuclear facilities and eliminate senior military commanders and nuclear experts. Iran responded by launching missiles and drones toward Israel.

Khamenei’s passing creates uncertainty about Iran’s political future.

The Assembly of Experts, an 88-member body of predominantly hardline clerics, will select Khamenei’s successor. However, no obvious replacement has been identified.

During February’s bombing campaign, President Trump urged Iranians to “take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will be probably your only chance for generations.” The country’s direction may largely depend on institutions like the Revolutionary Guard, which has consistently demonstrated readiness to use overwhelming force to maintain control despite growing dissatisfaction among Iran’s 90 million citizens.

“Culturally, the government is bankrupt,” said Mehdi Khalaji, an analyst at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, said in 2017. “The ideology of the Islamic Republic did not work at all.”

Saturday’s attack also claimed the lives of Khamenei’s daughter, son-in-law, grandchild, and daughter-in-law, according to the semi-official Fars news agency, citing unnamed sources.

Iran’s leadership has announced 40 days of public mourning and declared a week-long national holiday to honor Khamenei’s death.

Ali Khamenei was born into a religious household in Mashhad, a northeastern holy city that became a center of anti-shah activism during the resistance against Western-backed monarch Mohammad Reza Pahlavi.

Following the path of many Iranian leaders, he studied under Khomeini at Qom’s seminary south of Tehran during the early 1960s, before Khomeini’s exile to Iraq and France.

Khamenei participated in the anti-shah resistance, experiencing both imprisonment and periods in hiding. When Khomeini returned triumphantly to Iran in February 1979 and declared the Islamic Republic, Khamenei joined the secretive Revolutionary Council. He won election as Iran’s third president in 1981; that same year, a bombing by opposition forces left one of his hands paralyzed.

With his thick-rimmed glasses, Khamenei lacked Khomeini’s intense presence and revolutionary charisma. He also fell well below Khomeini’s religious scholarship, holding only the relatively modest rank of “hojatolislam” in Shiite clerical rankings.

Upon becoming supreme leader after Khomeini’s death, he was immediately elevated to grand ayatollah status at the hierarchy’s peak, though he faced years of skepticism regarding his qualifications.

Khamenei openly acknowledged these concerns with modesty. “I am an individual with many faults and shortcomings and truly a minor seminarian,” he said in his first speech in his new post.

Despite lacking charisma, Khamenei brought stability to Iran after the devastating 1980s conflict with Iraq and maintained power for over three decades — significantly longer than Khomeini.

Conservative supporters viewed him as second only to God in authority. Khamenei established an expanding network of Shiite clerics and government agencies with overlapping responsibilities, positioning himself as the final decision-maker. When Iran debated whether to maintain the Revolutionary Guard after the Iraq war, Khamenei preserved the force and enabled its powerful grip on Iran’s economy. He also employed appointed officials to weaken the civilian government chosen by voters.

During Khamenei’s leadership, Iran completely shifted from traditional warfare to proxy support, creating the “Axis of Resistance” to advance regional objectives. The Lebanese militant organization Hezbollah, formed with Iranian assistance in the 1980s, forced Israel’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon in 2000 and fought Israel to a standstill in the month-long 2006 conflict.

Through Hezbollah, Iran developed a strategy of allying with local militant groups to project influence — often through violence. Iran applied this approach when supporting Yemen’s Houthi rebels, who captured the capital Sanaa in 2014 and maintained control for over a decade in a stalemated conflict in the Arab world’s poorest country — despite facing a Saudi-led coalition and later U.S.-led airstrikes over Red Sea attacks.

Additionally, suspected Iranian-backed militants bombed a Jewish community center in Buenos Aires in 1994, killing 85 people. Iran was also allegedly connected to the 1996 Khobar Towers bombing in Saudi Arabia, which killed 19 U.S. military personnel. Iran denied involvement in both incidents.

Iran became a major beneficiary of the 2003 U.S.-led Iraq invasion, which replaced its primary regional enemy, Saddam Hussein, with a friendly Shiite-dominated government. Iranian-supported militias conducted a brutal insurgency against American forces and established themselves within Iraq’s political system.

Khamenei most effectively utilized the Guard’s overseas Quds Force after Sunni extremists from the Islamic State seized large portions of Iraq and Syria in 2014. Guard personnel advised Shiite militias, Iraq’s most effective fighters, and provided essential support to President Assad during Syria’s civil war.

This secured Assad’s position for a decade, until the turmoil following Hamas’ 2023 attack on Israel. Israel devastated Gaza and conducted airstrikes and ground operations that destroyed Hamas, which Iran had armed and funded for years. Israel is widely believed to have assassinated Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in a Tehran operation in 2024, further humiliating the Islamic Republic.

Hezbollah saw its members targeted by exploding communication devices and an Israeli campaign eliminated longtime leader Hassan Nasrallah. Then in December 2024, rebel forces overthrew Assad in a Syrian offensive, ending five decades of his family’s authoritarian rule.

The supreme leader maintained deep distrust of America, calling it the “Great Satan” even after President Barack Obama took office in 2009, offering dialogue and renewed relations.

He dismissed U.N. sanctions and advanced Iran’s nuclear program, which America and allies claimed concealed a secret weapons project until 2003. Khamenei issued a verbal fatwa, or religious decree, declaring nuclear weapons un-Islamic, but vowed Iran would never abandon what he termed its right to develop peaceful nuclear energy.

Under Iran’s 2015 nuclear agreement with world powers, Tehran agreed to dramatically reduce uranium stockpiles and enrichment in exchange for sanctions relief. However, just three years later, Trump in his first presidency unilaterally withdrew America from the deal, arguing it was insufficient.

Iran has since violated all nuclear deal restrictions and accumulated uranium enriched to near weapons-grade levels, now sufficient to pursue multiple nuclear weapons if desired. Diplomatic efforts to restore the agreement under President Joe Biden stalled.

In a March 2011 speech, Khamenei cited overthrown Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi, who had abandoned his nuclear program years earlier, as an example of why Iran’s nuclear program remained crucial amid Arab Spring upheavals in the Middle East.

“Just the way you give a lollipop to a child, Westerners gave ‘incentives’ to them and they gave up everything,” Khamenei said.

Khamenei’s first significant challenge emerged in 1997, when pro-reform politicians gained parliamentary control and cleric Mohammad Khatami won the presidency by a landslide, supported by young voters. The reformists demanded relaxation of strict revolutionary social rules and called for improved international relations, including with America.

Khamenei-supported hardliners moved to restrict the liberal movement, fearing it would eventually demand an end to clerical rule. Khamenei prevented parliament from relaxing media restrictions in an unusually direct intervention. Clerical institutions blocked other key liberal legislation and barred many reformist lawmakers from seeking reelection, ensuring hardliner control returned in 2004 elections.

This paved the way for hardline President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s 2005 election and his disputed 2009 reelection amid vote-rigging allegations. Mass protests erupted, creating the greatest threat to Iran’s clerical leadership in decades. The Revolutionary Guard, Basij militia, and police launched a crackdown killing dozens and arresting hundreds.

The unrest, and reports of protesters being tortured to death or sexually assaulted in prison, severely damaged Khamenei’s reputation.

As sanctions intensified, popular unrest increased. Economic protests occurred in 2017 and demonstrations escalated in 2019 over government gasoline price increases. The violent crackdown that followed killed over 300 people, according to activists.

While Khamenei struggled to maintain the Islamic Revolution’s ideological purity, Iran’s government largely failed to eliminate Western influence. Satellite dishes, theoretically banned, cover Tehran’s rooftops. Prohibited social media platforms are widely used, even by prominent politicians, despite being blocked.

Protests resumed in 2022 over Amini’s death, a young woman detained for improper hijab wearing according to authorities. More than 500 people died and tens of thousands were arrested when security forces again crushed the demonstrations.

In late December 2025, new economic protests erupted and grew into what appeared to be the largest protest movement ever. Hundreds of thousands nationwide took to the streets, openly demanding the Islamic Republic’s end. Some even chanted for the return of the shah’s son, living in exile since 1979. The crackdown’s brutality shocked Iranians.

With President Trump, Khamenei faced a more aggressive and unpredictable American campaign to halt Iran’s nuclear program. Trump unilaterally withdrew America from Iran’s nuclear deal with world powers in 2018, restoring sanctions.

The two sides nearly went to war after an American drone strike killed Revolutionary Guard General Qassem Soleimani in January 2020. At Soleimani’s massive funeral drawing millions to the streets, Khamenei wept over the coffin of the man he once called a “living martyr.” Two days later, the Guard mistakenly shot down a Ukrainian airliner departing Tehran, killing all 176 aboard.

Iran accelerated uranium enrichment back to 60% purity — a short technical step from weapons-grade 90% levels. Still, when Trump returned to the White House in January 2025, Khamenei resumed negotiations, highlighting the severe impact of sanctions. Iran’s struggling economy entered freefall, worsening domestic unrest.

However, an agreement remained out of reach. In June 2025, Israel and America bombed Iranian nuclear facilities, causing significant damage, though the program’s setback remained unclear.

During January’s nationwide protest crackdown, Trump renewed strike threats, demanding Iran make major negotiating concessions. Three rounds of indirect talks followed. Then came Saturday.