Jun 26, 2026 ... In discussions of great power competition, the familiar refrain typically focuses on the United States, China, and Russia. Some assessments ...

5 hours ago ... With its forces on high alert, Israel is drawing up operational plans for a further escalation in the US-Iran conflict, three Israeli ...

Reports indicate that the United States and Iran have signed a memorandum of understanding intended to end the Middle East conflict, though the stability of the resulting ceasefire remains unconfirmed. Analysts have suggested that the truce may face challenges, but specific operational details and the current status of hostilities have not been independently verified.

Iranian authorities announced the appointment of former Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi as the new commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), reportedly succeeding Mohammad Pakpour, who is reported to have been killed in joint US-Israeli strikes.

These assertions regarding both the leadership transition and the specific circumstances of the predecessor's death are currently unverified and derive from limited official confirmation.

Analysts note that over 75% of the region's spare oil production capacity is concentrated in Middle Eastern nations relying on the Strait for exports. This geographic concentration suggests that potential disruptions to the waterway could have a significant impact on global supply.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) stated that its most recent access to military sites affected by recent strikes was in June 2025. Consequently, the agency has suspended all on-site inspections at these locations.

The 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) established an extensive verification regime for the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Reports indicate this framework was among the most comprehensive oversight mechanisms the organization had previously administered.

Tehran: Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian has admitted that US sanctions on his country are hurting its economy, despite just days ago insisting they would achieve nothing. "Some say sanctions have no effect at all; to those people, I really don't know what to say," Pezeshkian told state TV in an interview late on Friday.

"We are in a war situation, and we must accept these wartime conditions," he added. Also read: Trump used to say he saw a quick end to his Iran war. Six months later, he claims he's in no hurry On Monday, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent laid out plans for the "economic asphyxiation" of Iran, warning of dire consequences for countries that do not join the American campaign.

The new measures build on a sanctions regime by the US and allies that has been in place since 2018 when President Donald Trump withdrew from an international deal struck with Tehran on its nuclear programme. Pezeshkian said Friday that Iran's exports and imports had fallen by 25 to 35 percent in recent months as the US maintains a naval blockade of Iranian ports.

The president said the price of petrol should be increased in Iran to account for the fall in trade. "We should raise the price of the third-tier quota... For example, from 5,000 tomans to 10,000 tomans," he added. That quota refers to one of several consumption rates that determine the price an Iranian consumer is charged.

Iran, a major oil producer with some of the world's cheapest fuel, has for years heavily subsidised petrol, making any changes to pricing politically sensitive. Also read: Iran’s foreign trade plunges 35% as US sanctions deepen war’s economic toll Vice President Mohammad Jafar Ghaempanah said Wednesday that the US blockade had prevented his country from importing enough petrol to cover a shortfall in domestic production.

But Pezeshkian said that same day that the latest US sanctions "will not achieve anything". "We will stand firm against economic pressures, as we have done so far and will continue to do," Pezeshkian told state media. (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel) "Some say sanctions have no effect at all; to those people, I really don't know what to say," Pezeshkian told state TV in an interview late on Friday.

"We are in a war situation, and we must accept these wartime conditions," he added. Also read: Trump used to say he saw a quick end to his Iran war. Six months later, he claims he's in no hurry On Monday, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent laid out plans for the "economic asphyxiation" of Iran, warning of dire consequences for countries that do not join the American campaign.

The new measures build on a sanctions regime by the US and allies that has been in place since 2018 when President Donald Trump withdrew from an international deal struck with Tehran on its nuclear programme. Pezeshkian said Friday that Iran's exports and imports had fallen by 25 to 35 percent in recent months as the US maintains a naval blockade of Iranian ports.

The president said the price of petrol should be increased in Iran to account for the fall in trade. "We should raise the price of the third-tier quota... For example, from 5,000 tomans to 10,000 tomans," he added. That quota refers to one of several consumption rates that determine the price an Iranian consumer is charged.

Iran, a major oil producer with some of the world's cheapest fuel, has for years heavily subsidised petrol, making any changes to pricing politically sensitive. Also read: Iran’s foreign trade plunges 35% as US sanctions deepen war’s economic toll Vice President Mohammad Jafar Ghaempanah said Wednesday that the US blockade had prevented his country from importing enough petrol to cover a shortfall in domestic production.

But Pezeshkian said that same day that the latest US sanctions "will not achieve anything". "We will stand firm against economic pressures, as we have done so far and will continue to do," Pezeshkian told state media.

An unofficial interactive map, updated every 30 minutes, tracks unverified claims of over 115 strikes, 1,000 fatalities, and the alleged elimination of 22 senior Iranian officials, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei. These figures, alongside reported naval and cyber operations, originate from open-source intelligence (OSINT) videos and remain subject to independent verification.

Key Takeaways from the ISW: - Ukrainian forces struck a Russian strategic bomber at the Engels-2 Airbase in Saratov Oblast, demonstrating Ukraine’s ability to strike heavily defended targets in Russia’s rear. - Russian budgetary challenges resulting from its costly war effort, Ukraine’s long-range strike campaign, international sanctions, and economic mismanagement are manifesting in concrete operational problems.

- The Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) will likely expand its access to Russians’ personal and medical information ahead of rumored involuntary reserve call-ups after the September 20 State Duma elections. - Russian forces conducted an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test launch as part of the Kremlin’s nuclear saber-rattling to project military strength.

- Russia is portraying its Starlink-jamming electronic warfare (EW) system as a breakthrough capability as part of its cognitive warfare effort to dissuade the United States from granting Ukraine access to Starlink over Russian territory. - Ukrainian forces made limited tactical advances in the Kostyantynivka direction.

- Ukrainian forces are conducting repeat strikes against Russian oil refineries to keep them offline. Russia launched 164 drones against Ukraine overnight. JOIN US ON TELEGRAM Follow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. See the original here.

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