Trump hints at wind-down of war as US sends more troops and Iran threatens tourism sites U.S. President Donald Trump suggested he is considering reducing military operations in the Middle East amid ongoing conflict, even as the United States increases its military presence in the region by deploying additional troops and naval assets. The remarks came after Iran issued threats to target global tourist sites and as the region continued to experience airstrikes, drone attacks, and missile strikes. The U.S. military is sending three amphibious assault ships and approximately 2,500 Marines to the Middle East, according to officials. This follows a previous deployment of another group of amphibious ships and Marines from the Pacific to the region, bringing the total number of U.S. troops in the area to over 50,000. Despite Trump’s comments about nearing the completion of U.S. objectives, the administration has also requested additional funding for the war and is bolstering its military presence. Iran’s military spokesperson, General Abolfazl Shekarchi, warned that recreational and tourist sites worldwide could be targeted by the country’s enemies, raising concerns about potential attacks beyond the Middle East. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei praised Iranian resilience during the war, though details about the extent of damage to Iran’s infrastructure remain unclear. The conflict, which began on February 28, has continued to disrupt oil supplies and drive up global fuel prices. Israel reported that Iran continued to launch missiles at its territory, while Saudi Arabia confirmed it had intercepted 20 drones in its eastern region, home to major oil facilities. Israeli airstrikes hit Tehran during the celebration of Nowruz, the Persian New Year, which has been marked by heightened tensions. The U.#iran #donald_trump #ayatollah_mojtaba_khamenei #nowruz #general_abolfazl_shekarchi
Iran's Leadership Crisis: Missing Supreme Leader and Assassinations Spark Power Struggles The Islamic Republic of Iran faces a deepening political and security crisis as its Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, remains absent from public view despite being officially named as the country’s leader. Prominent figures, including former security chief Ali Larijani and former intelligence chief Abbas Ali Zanjani, have been assassinated in recent months, raising questions about who truly holds power in the nation. Analysts warn that the ongoing violence and instability could lead to a more rigid, hardline leadership structure, exacerbating regional tensions. The assassination of Ali Larijani, a key figure in Iran’s security apparatus, has left his brother, Saeed Larijani, as a potential successor within the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Saeed, who holds a senior position in the system, is seen by some experts as a viable candidate to lead the IRGC, which has increasingly acted as a de facto governing body. Meanwhile, the IRGC’s growing influence has been evident in its role in military strategy and decision-making, blurring the lines between state institutions and the military. A temporary leadership council, comprising President Masoud Pezeshkian, religious leader Ali Reza Araki, and judiciary chief Golam Hossein Mohseni-Ejei, has been established to manage the country’s affairs. However, internal divisions persist, with some factions supporting Khamenei’s authority and others advocating for alternative leadership. The absence of Khamenei, who has not appeared publicly since his appointment, has further fueled speculation about the legitimacy of the current power structure.#iran #islamic_revolutionary_guard_corps #ayatollah_mojtaba_khamenei #ali_larijani #saeed_larijani
U.S. intelligence sources have shared with President Trump and his inner circle that Iran’s late supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, expressed concerns about his son, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, assuming leadership. Multiple individuals with knowledge of the matter told CBS News that the elder Khamenei viewed his son as unqualified and intellectually lacking, raising doubts about his readiness to lead. The intelligence analysis also highlighted the father’s awareness of Mojtaba’s personal struggles, including alleged issues in his private life. Mojtaba Khamenei, 56, was chosen as Iran’s new supreme leader last weekend by the country’s council of religious clerics. This followed the death of Ali Khamenei in an Israeli missile strike during the U.S. and Israel’s conflict with Iran. Mojtaba, who was reportedly injured in the attack, has remained within his father’s inner circle. Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and other senior officials have been briefed on the intelligence about Mojtaba, though Trump has publicly dismissed the information, claiming he believes Iran is leaderless and that Mojtaba may be dead. The White House asserts that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps now holds significant influence, marking a shift from the theocratic regime established after the 1979 revolution. Spokespersons for the CIA, White House, and vice president declined to comment on the intelligence. Trump recently criticized Mojtaba, calling him a “lightweight” and suggesting the U.S. should have oversight over Iran’s leadership. The federal government has offered up to $10 million for information on Mojtaba’s whereabouts and those of nine other Iranian officials. Mojtaba is Iran’s third supreme leader since the 1979 revolution, succeeding his father and Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.#iran #trump #strait_of_hormuz #ayatollah_ali_khamenei #ayatollah_mojtaba_khamenei
Iran War Live: Tehran Vows to Use Powerful Missiles, Rejects Trump Talks Tehran has vowed to escalate its military response amid escalating tensions, as the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) dismissed U.S. claims that its missile program has been crippled. Officials stated that Iran is deploying projectiles in greater numbers, with warheads exceeding one tonne in weight. The remarks come as renewed hostilities between Israel and Iran intensify, with reports of Israeli strikes targeting Iranian assets in Lebanon and Iran retaliating with missile attacks. The conflict has drawn widespread support for Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, with pro-Iranian demonstrations erupting across the country. Meanwhile, the U.S. and Israel have intensified their military operations against Iranian targets, including a recent Israeli strike on Beirut’s southern suburbs that damaged civilian infrastructure. Lebanese Civil Defence teams were seen inspecting the aftermath of the attack, which followed weeks of clashes between Hezbollah and Israeli forces. U.S. President Donald Trump has escalated his rhetoric, warning that Iran will face “20 times harder” retaliation if it continues to disrupt oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz. The threat follows Trump’s earlier claim that the war could end “very soon,” though his comments have been met with skepticism given the ongoing violence. Analysts note that the conflict has entered a new phase, with both sides leveraging regional allies and escalating their military posturing. Iran’s rejection of U.S. demands highlights the deepening divide between the two nations, as Tehran insists its missile capabilities remain intact and operational.#iran #strait_of_hormuz #hezbollah #islamic_revolutionary_guard_corps #ayatollah_mojtaba_khamenei
