Larry Lee
The Latest
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Who Is Running Iran? Mojtaba Khamenei’s Absence, War Escalation and IRGC Influence Fuel Global Uncertainty
Iran's political and military trajectory is increasingly shaped by uncertainty surrounding Mojtaba Khamenei, who has not appeared publicly since assuming power on March 8 following the death of his father, Ali Khamenei, in U.S.-Israeli airstrikes in Tehran. The absence of visual or recorded communication from Iran's highest authority has triggered mounting questions about governance, legitimacy and control during an active regional conflict. 
Iran's political and military trajectory is increasingly shaped by uncertainty surrounding Mojtaba Khamenei, who has not appeared publicly since assuming power on March 8 following the death of his father, Ali Khamenei, in U.S.-Israeli airstrikes in Tehran. The absence of visual or recorded communication from Iran's highest authority has triggered mounting questions about governance, legitimacy and control during an active regional conflict. -
UK Leads 30+ Nations in Hormuz Talks as U.S. Pullback Raises Stakes for Global Oil Supply
A coalition of more than 30 countries led by the United Kingdom has launched an urgent diplomatic initiative to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, as disruptions to one of the world's most critical النفط corridors intensify and the United States signals a reduced role in securing the region. 
A coalition of more than 30 countries led by the United Kingdom has launched an urgent diplomatic initiative to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, as disruptions to one of the world's most critical النفط corridors intensify and the United States signals a reduced role in securing the region. -
Russian Intelligence Pressured Activist With 15-Year Jail Threat in Covert Recruitment Drive, Leaks Show
Leaked communications reviewed by POLITICO detail an aggressive recruitment campaign by Russia's domestic intelligence agency, the Federal Security Service (FSB), targeting a young anti-Kremlin activist and extending surveillance pressure beyond Russia's borders into Europe. The messages, spanning 2023 to 2025, offer a granular look at how Moscow attempts to coerce dissidents into informing on opposition networks abroad. 
Leaked communications reviewed by POLITICO detail an aggressive recruitment campaign by Russia's domestic intelligence agency, the Federal Security Service (FSB), targeting a young anti-Kremlin activist and extending surveillance pressure beyond Russia's borders into Europe. The messages, spanning 2023 to 2025, offer a granular look at how Moscow attempts to coerce dissidents into informing on opposition networks abroad. -
Iran Missile Strike Hits Qatar’s Ras Laffan, Threatening 20% of Global LNG Supply and Driving Prices Up 35%
Iran launched ballistic missile strikes on Qatar's Ras Laffan Industrial City, damaging key liquefied natural gas facilities and threatening a supply hub responsible for roughly 20% of global LNG exports, according to QatarEnergy, in an escalation that sent European gas futures surging. 
Iran launched ballistic missile strikes on Qatar's Ras Laffan Industrial City, damaging key liquefied natural gas facilities and threatening a supply hub responsible for roughly 20% of global LNG exports, according to QatarEnergy, in an escalation that sent European gas futures surging. -
Netanyahu Says Israel ‘Eliminated’ 2 Iranian Leaders in Tehran Strikes, Iran Confirms Deaths
Benjamin Netanyahu said Israeli forces had "eliminated" senior Iranian figures in coordinated strikes on Tehran, including Ali Larijani and Gholamreza Soleimani, in an escalation of hostilities that Iranian state media later confirmed. 
Benjamin Netanyahu said Israeli forces had "eliminated" senior Iranian figures in coordinated strikes on Tehran, including Ali Larijani and Gholamreza Soleimani, in an escalation of hostilities that Iranian state media later confirmed. -
Israel Says Ali Larijani Killed in Tehran Strike, Alongside Basij Chief Gholamreza Soleimani
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said Tuesday that Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, was killed in a targeted overnight strike in Tehran alongside Basij commander Gholamreza Soleimani, marking one of the most senior blows yet to Iran's security apparatus during the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran. 
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said Tuesday that Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, was killed in a targeted overnight strike in Tehran alongside Basij commander Gholamreza Soleimani, marking one of the most senior blows yet to Iran's security apparatus during the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran. -
North Korea Tests 12 Nuclear-Capable Rocket Launchers as Kim Jong Un Appears With Daughter at Military Drill
North Korea launched a volley of 12 nuclear-capable rocket systems during a military exercise overseen by leader Kim Jong Un, with his teenage daughter appearing beside him at the event, a display that both heightened regional security concerns and fueled renewed speculation about the regime's future succession plans. 
North Korea launched a volley of 12 nuclear-capable rocket systems during a military exercise overseen by leader Kim Jong Un, with his teenage daughter appearing beside him at the event, a display that both heightened regional security concerns and fueled renewed speculation about the regime's future succession plans. -
Iran’s Mojtaba Khamenei Vows Retaliation Against U.S. as Reports Swirl of Coma After Airstrikes
Iran's newly appointed Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei issued a warning to the United States and its allies in a televised statement Thursday, vowing retaliation for casualties from the expanding conflict involving Iran, the U.S., and Israel, even as unverified reports circulate about his physical condition following recent airstrikes. Iran's newly appointed Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei issued a warning to the United States and its allies in a televised statement Thursday, vowing retaliation for casualties from the expanding conflict involving Iran, the U.S., and Israel, even as unverified reports circulate about his physical condition following recent airstrikes. -
Putin Health Rumors Resurface After Kremlin Removes Video Showing Russian Leader Coughing
Speculation about the health of Russian President Vladimir Putin resurfaced after the Kremlin briefly published and then removed an unedited video showing him coughing and restarting part of a speech in Moscow, a clip first reported by The Moscow Times that quickly circulated online. 
Speculation about the health of Russian President Vladimir Putin resurfaced after the Kremlin briefly published and then removed an unedited video showing him coughing and restarting part of a speech in Moscow, a clip first reported by The Moscow Times that quickly circulated online. -
Spain Breaks Ranks With U.S. on Iran War as Trump Seeks European Backing
President Donald Trump's confrontation with Iran is exposing widening divisions across Europe, after Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez publicly rejected Washington's military push, complicating the White House's effort to rally allies behind a broader campaign in the Middle East. President Donald Trump's confrontation with Iran is exposing widening divisions across Europe, after Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez publicly rejected Washington's military push, complicating the White House's effort to rally allies behind a broader campaign in the Middle East.
