Economic Malaise
Iran still depends on Hormuz despite years of workarounds
Iran’s plans to reduce its reliance on the Strait of Hormuz appear to have delivered little practical change so far, according to tanker-tracking data from Kpler obtained by Iran International.

Iran’s former diplomats warn of prolonged regional war
Former Iranian diplomats are warning that the war between Iran, the United States and Israel could fundamentally reshape the Middle East’s security order, with some predicting a prolonged conflict and deeper regional instability.

IRGC rhetoric frames US island assault as chance to capture troops
Some Tehran commentators say any US attempt to seize Iranian islands in the Persian Gulf could play directly into the IRGC’s long-standing strategy of capturing American troops for leverage.
Trump says US in ‘substantial’ talks with Iran as strikes continue
President Donald Trump said Thursday that the United States is engaged in serious negotiations with officials in Tehran, but vowed to keep striking Iran for the time being.
Energy War
Iran’s reported gas halt to Turkey exposes limits of its energy power
Brief concern in Turkey this week over a halt in Iranian gas flows quickly gave way to official reassurances, but the episode exposes deeper limits in Iran’s ability to sustain exports even to key regional partners.
Children as young as 12 can join war support, IRGC says
An official from Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said the minimum age for participation in war-related support roles has been lowered to 12, according to remarks aired on state media.
IRGC pressured Pezeshkian to appoint Zolghadr as security chief
Masoud Pezeshkian appointed Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr as secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council under direct pressure from senior commanders of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, including newly installed IRGC chief Ahmad Vahidi, according to informed sources.
Iran Protests
Armed patrols and nightly pro-government rallies spread fear across Iranian cities
Residents across Iran report a surge in security measures, nighttime patrols and pro-government rallies that they say are creating an atmosphere of fear and intimidation during the ongoing war, according to messages sent to Iran International.

Is Trump testing Iran’s power core through Ghalibaf?
Reports that the United States is considering Iran’s parliament speaker as a potential negotiating channel, alongside a proposal for high-level talks, have brought into focus a deeper question: is Washington probing who truly holds power inside Iran?

Reports of Ghalibaf-Trump channel sparks political storm in Tehran
Remarks by Donald Trump suggesting backchannel contacts with a figure inside Iran’s government have stirred intense political debate in Tehran.

Lipstick on the IRGC: why Ghalibaf must not be rebranded as a pragmatist
Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf may soon be called a pragmatist. That would be a mistake.
North Koreans fear possible deployment as Iran war intensifies - report
North Koreans are increasingly worried about the possibility of overseas troop deployments as the Iran war intensifies, with rumors of involvement spreading in border regions and among families of military-age men, according to reports from North Korea.
Iran Influence Network
UK police arrest two men over attack on Jewish community ambulances
British police arrested two men on Wednesday in connection with the suspected antisemitic arson attack on four Jewish community ambulances in north London earlier this week.
































