President Trump asserted Monday that the United States has "literally obliterated" the Iranian regime during the third week of the conflict, urging other nations to assist in reopening the Strait of Hormuz. The president claimed the Iranian military had suffered significant losses, including the destruction of its navy and air force, with over 100 vessels sunk or destroyed. He emphasized that Iran's leadership and critical infrastructure had been neutralized, though he acknowledged the country's resilience. Trump expressed concern over the Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil transit route, stating it was "in very good shape" but called on nations reliant on Middle Eastern oil to "come and help us" ensure its accessibility. He noted that several countries had pledged support, though he did not specify which nations. The president also criticized NATO, suggesting allies would not come to the U.S.'s aid when needed. Addressing Iran's use of artificial intelligence to spread disinformation, Trump claimed Tehran was currently engaged in negotiations with the U.S. He expressed skepticism about Iran's readiness to end hostilities, noting the country had "taken a pounding." When asked about Iran's new supreme leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, Trump stated he had not yet seen him, calling the absence "unusual." Khamenei, the son of the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, was selected to succeed his father after the latter was killed in U.S.-Israeli strikes. The president then shifted focus to the Kennedy Center, criticizing its previous management for neglecting maintenance and allowing "very woke" programming that he claimed was "out of touch with reality." Trump, who chairs the Kennedy Center board, announced plans for a $200 million renovation project, including the temporary closure of the facility for two years starting July 4.#iran #trump #strait_of_hormuz #kennedy_center #khamenei
Trump says Iran 'war is very complete,' talks to Putin President Donald Trump told a CBS News reporter on Monday that the war against Iran could be nearing its end, describing the conflict as "very complete, pretty much." According to CBS senior White House correspondent Weijia Jiang, Trump claimed Iran’s military capabilities had been severely diminished, with the country lacking a functional navy, air force, and effective communication systems. He added that Iran’s drones were being destroyed in large numbers and that its manufacturing capacity for such weapons had been crippled. "If you look, they have nothing left. There's nothing left in a military sense," Trump stated. The president also claimed the U.S. was "very far" ahead of his initial estimate that the war could last four to five weeks. Trump further asserted that he had someone other than Iran’s newly appointed supreme leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, in place to lead the country. When asked about his stance toward Khamenei, Trump said, "I have no message for him. None, whatsoever." Separately, Trump spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin during a phone call, according to the Kremlin. Russian foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov told Reuters that Putin proposed ways to quickly end the war. The Kremlin did not specify the details of the proposals but emphasized that the conversation focused on de-escalation efforts. Trump’s comments came amid rising U.S. stock market indices, which surged following reports of his remarks. Analysts noted that the market reaction reflected optimism about a potential resolution to the conflict. However, the situation remains volatile, with global energy markets fluctuating as tensions in the Middle East continue to impact oil prices. The war has also drawn significant attention from international leaders and analysts.#iran #donald_trump #vladimir_putin #khamenei #cbs_news
At least 22 people dead after pro-Iran protests in Pakistan and Iraq Protests against the United States erupted in Pakistan and Iraq following the killing of Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in a US-Israeli strike. In Karachi, crowds stormed the US consulate, leading to clashes with security forces that left at least 10 dead and over 30 injured. Similar unrest unfolded in Baghdad, where protesters attempted to breach the US embassy in the Green Zone, prompting security forces to deploy teargas. The violence in Pakistan extended beyond Karachi, with at least 10 fatalities reported in Gilgit-Baltistan and two deaths in Islamabad. In Iraq, demonstrators waved flags and hurled stones at security forces guarding the US embassy, reflecting widespread anger over the strikes targeting Iran-backed groups. The attacks, which have killed dozens in the region, have intensified tensions between Iran and its adversaries. Khamenei’s assassination has sent shockwaves across the Middle East and the broader Islamic world. The 86-year-old cleric, who led Iran for 36 years, was a central figure in shaping the country’s security policies and fostering a network of Iranian-backed militias. His death has been mourned by groups such as Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis, which hailed him as a religious warrior and martyr. Hezbollah’s secretary general, Naim Qassem, described Khamenei as a leader of the “march of jihad and resistance” against “tyrannical and oppressive American and Israeli forces.” Under Khamenei’s leadership, Iran trained and supported groups like Hezbollah to form what it called an “axis of resistance” in the region. This network has long served as a counterbalance to US and Israeli influence.#pakistan #iran #iraq #hezbollah #khamenei
Iran postpones Khamenei funeral as US-Israeli bombardment continues Authorities in Iran have delayed the funeral ceremony for the late Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, amid ongoing strikes by US and Israeli forces. The three-day event, originally scheduled to begin on Wednesday night at a Tehran prayer complex, was postponed due to the high volume of requests from attendees and the need to prepare infrastructure. A member of the Assembly of Experts stated the clerical body was "close" to selecting a successor to Khamenei, who was killed in a strike during the US-Israeli assault on Saturday. Iran has retaliated by launching missiles and drones at Israel and Gulf states hosting US military bases. Kuwait’s health ministry reported that a girl was killed by shrapnel from an Iranian attack on a residential area. Meanwhile, US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth claimed a US submarine sank an Iranian navy frigate in the Indian Ocean, near Sri Lanka. The frigate, the Iris Dena, carried 80 bodies recovered, with 32 survivors and dozens missing. Hegseth asserted that US and Israeli forces would soon achieve aerial superiority over Iran, calling the conflict an "unfair fight." Iran’s Supreme National Security Council secretary, Ali Larijani, criticized US President Donald Trump for dragging the American public into an "unjust war." Khamenei, Iran’s spiritual leader and highest authority, was killed at his Tehran compound in the first wave of strikes, along with his wife, an adult son, and several top officials. The funeral, set to begin at 22:00 local time on Wednesday, was postponed by Tehran’s Islamic Propaganda Co-ordination Council head, Seyyed Mohsen Mahmoudi, citing logistical challenges.#us #iran #israel #assembly_of_experts #khamenei
Iran Postpones Khamenei Funeral Amid Escalating US-Israeli Conflict Authorities in Iran have delayed the funeral ceremony for the late Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as US and Israeli forces continue heavy bombardment across the country. Officials cited the need to prepare infrastructure for the three-day event, which had been scheduled to begin on Wednesday night at a Tehran prayer complex. The postponement followed a surge in public requests to attend the ceremony, according to a statement from the Islamic Propaganda Co-ordination Council of Tehran province. Meanwhile, the Assembly of Experts, the clerical body responsible for selecting Khamenei’s successor, indicated it was nearing a decision. A member of the group said the body was “close” to choosing a new leader, though no names were disclosed. Khamenei, who was killed in a strike at the start of the US-Israeli assault on Saturday, had been Iran’s highest authority since 1989. His death, along with his wife, one of their adult sons, and several top officials, marked the first wave of attacks on Tehran. Iran has retaliated by launching missiles and drones at Israel and Gulf states hosting US military bases. Kuwait’s health ministry reported that a 11-year-old girl died from shrapnel injuries in a residential area struck by Iranian munitions. The US military confirmed that a submarine sank an Iranian navy frigate in the Indian Ocean near Sri Lanka, with the US defense secretary describing the attack as a “quiet death.” Sri Lanka’s defense officials said 80 bodies were recovered from the sunken vessel, with 32 others rescued and dozens still missing. US and Israeli forces have declared aerial dominance over Iran, with Pentagon officials asserting they would soon control the country.#us #iran #israel #assembly_of_experts #khamenei
Iranian Actor Calls Khamenei's Death A 'Relief', Says Iranians Are Ready For Regime Change In an emotional interview, Iranian actor Mandana Karimi recounts years of protests, repression, and personal struggle, saying millions inside and outside Iran see the death of Ayatollah Khamenei as a turning point. She asserts that Iranians—not foreign powers—will lead the push for regime change, and voices hope that a new political dawn is near. Karimi’s remarks come amid widespread unrest in Iran, where mass demonstrations have erupted over the past year, demanding an end to the country’s authoritarian rule. The actor, known for her outspoken criticism of the government, described the recent events as a moment of collective awakening. “The people are tired of suffering under a system that prioritizes control over freedom,” she said. “Khamenei’s death has given many hope that the cycle of oppression might finally break.” The actor emphasized that the movement for change is driven by Iranians themselves, rejecting narratives that frame the protests as foreign-backed. “We are not asking for charity or intervention,” she said. “We are demanding our right to live without fear, to speak without censorship, and to choose our leaders freely.” Karimi’s comments align with growing calls for reform within Iran, where young activists and intellectuals have increasingly taken to the streets. Despite the risks of arrest and violence, she said, the determination of the people remains unshaken. “Every protest, every act of defiance, is a step toward a better future,” she said. “The regime may try to silence us, but the truth cannot be buried.” The actor also addressed the broader implications of Khamenei’s death, suggesting it could mark the beginning of a new era in Iranian politics. “This is not just about one leader,” she said.#regime_change #iran #khamenei #mandana_karimi #iranian_actor
Israel Iran War Hacked Traffic Cameras, Mobile Phone Networks: How Khamenei Was Tracked, Killed Nearly all traffic cameras in Tehran had been hacked for years by Israel, according to a Financial Times report. When senior Iranian officials arrived near Pasteur Street, where Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in a US-Israeli air strike, Israeli intelligence was monitoring the scene. One camera provided critical visibility into the restricted compound, allowing analysts to track patterns of movement and routines of security personnel. Sophisticated algorithms compiled detailed dossiers on guards, including their addresses, work hours, patrol routes, and the individuals they protected. This data, referred to as a "pattern of life," was part of a years-long intelligence campaign that enabled the assassination of the 86-year-old supreme leader. Israeli and CIA analysts used real-time traffic data to predict Khamenei’s schedule, determining he would be in his offices on Saturday morning. Israeli intelligence detected a meeting at the leadership compound and coordinated strikes to move forward. The CIA confirmed Khamenei’s presence at the site, while Israel disrupted mobile phone towers near Pasteur Street, making calls appear busy and preventing warnings to his protection detail. The operation relied on signals intelligence from Unit 8200, Mossad assets, and military intelligence, with social network analysis parsing billions of data points. The attack followed a 12-day war in June, during which Israeli pilots used Sparrow missiles to kill over a dozen Iranian nuclear scientists and military officials. These missiles, capable of striking targets as small as a dining table from over 1,000km away, bypassed Iran’s air defenses.#iran #israel #khamenei #unit_8200 #pasteur_street
