Iran cancels plans to attack three Ukrainian facilities following Kiev's apology for a deliberate strike on an Iranian vessel in the Caspian Sea.
Oil tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has halted following recent attacks on vessels and escalating rhetoric between the US and Iran. Rystad Energy's Jorge Leon noted the market's quick reaction, with the real test expected after July 9, post-mourning period for Iran's late Supreme Leader.
Hundreds of thousands are attending the funeral of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran, displaying solidarity and defiance. Geostrategic analyst Christopher Helali stated the massive turnout signals a desire for a strong, sovereign nation, rejecting foreign dictation. He also noted the presence of delegations from over 120 countries, including US allies, countering narratives of Iran's isolation and highlighting a deepening Russia-Iran relationship.
Over a million people gathered for a collective prayer in Tehran's Imam Khomeini Mosque for the repose of the deceased Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Funeral processions are scheduled in Tehran, Qom, Iraq, and Mashhad.
Three sons of former Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei attended his funeral, but his successor and another son, Mojtaba Khamenei, was absent. Public mourning and calls for revenge against the US and Israel were prominent.
Mediators from Qatar and Pakistan held separate meetings with US and Iranian negotiators in Doha, reporting positive progress on the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding. The parties agreed to continue discussions, with the next meeting to be scheduled after the funeral of the former Iranian Supreme Leader.
Ayatollah Khamenei states Trump pushed for a US-Iran MOU due to desperation over plummeting approval ratings and soaring fuel prices after Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz, with the agreement promising US concessions including a $300 billion economic plan and lifting of naval blockade.
The US Department of Justice is reportedly investigating Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei for alleged money laundering and corruption, examining his global investment portfolio's exposure to Wall Street banks like JPMorgan Chase and Citigroup.
Iranian military adviser Mohsen Rezaee says a US-Iran agreement depends on the US unfreezing $24 billion in Iranian assets, viewed as a trust-building measure, with $12 billion sought upfront and $12 billion later, amid US concerns over losing leverage.
President Trump expresses willingness to meet Iranian Supreme Leader Khamenei if a deal ending the U.S.-Iran war is reached, with key demands including Iran's nuclear disarmament and reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
US President Donald Trump expressed a desire to meet with Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, stating he believes Khamenei is involved in decision-making and that Iran has agreed to halt nuclear weapons development.
Victorian Minister Luba Grigorovitch apologised for providing 33 character references, including for individuals with convictions for assault and family violence, without conducting any background checks. She stated she will no longer provide such references.
Tehran and Washington continue “sporadic” exchanges of fire as they vie for control of the strategic waterway Read Full Article at RT.com
Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei said US military bases in the Middle East cannot ensure their own security or protect Washington’s allies in the region. He also said the United States has no place in the future of the Persian Gulf.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the administration believes Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is alive, stating there is no evidence to the contrary. President Trump announced plans to extend the ceasefire with Iran on April 21, but Tehran does not recognize the unilateral extension. The US and Israel launched military operations against Iran on February 28, with Iran reporting 3,375 deaths over 40 days of conflict. Indirect talks between the US and Iran in Islamabad on April 11 failed to reach a long-term settlement.
Hezbollah drew Lebanon into the Middle East war by firing rockets towards Israel to avenge the killing of Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei in US-Israeli strikes.
