Iran World Cup withdrawal threat leaves FIFA pondering options
Only a few hours before the withdrawal statement, FIFA chief Gianni Infantino trumpeted an assurance from Trump that Iran was "welcome to compete in the tournament in the United States."
Middle East
Iranian football players face government pressure to return to Iran, as families warn against it
Iranian embassy in South Africa labels drone strike on Oman’s oil facilities 'false flag operation'
Mojtaba Khamenei financed London homes with loan from Israeli-founded company - report
Report reveals Iranian soft-power infrastructure in the United Kingdom through charity sector
The 109-page report "Under influence: the Iranian Regime's abuse of the UK charity system and the limitations of oversight" explores a number of Iran-linked charities operating in the UK.
New Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei sends written message, no proof of life shown
In his message, Khamenei stated that the Strait of Hormuz must remain closed, and if necessary, other fronts will be opened.
Netanyahu aide warns Hezbollah: Dahiyeh will look like Gaza
Falk commented while discussing the war on Israel’s northern front, saying the Lebanese government should “take their country back” and disarm Hezbollah.
Tehran appears to prepare for long war despite heavy early losses - analysis
Gulf states are not ready to join the war, but they have gone to the UN to get condemnation for Iran’s actions.
IDF strikes Iranian explosives experiments nuclear facility at Parchin-Taleghan 2
The Taleghan nuclear site has been utilized by the Iranian regime to advance its capabilities for developing nuclear weapons.
Iran-backed militias in Iraq suffer increased losses as airstrikes hit multiple bases
The most recent attacks have targeted a camp of the PMF in Qaim in western Iraq on the border with Syria. Ten members of the group were killed.
Israel-Somaliland ties could lead to Red Sea Israeli base, intel. gathering on Houthis - report
With Israel's continuous strikes against Hamas and Hezbollah since 2023, the Houthis have steadily grown to be Iran’s strongest proxy.
As Qatar hosts major US base, its media takes a different line on Iran war, study finds
A new analysis found that Qatar-linked English-language media framed the war against Iran in sharply critical terms, highlighting the gap between Doha’s US alliance and its public messaging.
Airstrike on Italian base in Iraq was deliberate, defense minister says
The defense ministry initially spoke of a missile attack on the Italian base in Erbil, but ministry sources later said it was a drone that had destroyed a military vehicle, possibly by accident.
IDF airstrikes alone will not topple Iran regime, Israeli security expert warns
"Ultimately, it is not really possible to topple the regime through airstrikes," said Dr. Raz Zimmt, head of the Iran and the Shiite Axis Program at the Institute for National Security Studies.
