Month: June 2026

“IRGC-linked individuals sought entry with Iran World Cup delegation,” Iran International, 6-30-26.  Hopefully this story can be put to bed now.  “US Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said IRGC-linked individuals sought entry into the United States with Iran’s World Cup delegation. … “Mullin said Iranian officials attempted to bring into the country multiple individuals with ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), including personnel who had not previously travelled with the national team. “Two individuals presented as media members had connections to IRGC intelligence, and another applicant was the subject of an international arrest warrant,” he said. Mullin added no World Cup delegation required more attention from US officials than Iran, and defended strict travel restrictions imposed on the Iranian team, including limited entry windows and immediate departure after matches.”

“Iran’s Diverging Priorities Are Jeopardizing U.S. Peace Talks,” WSJ, 6-30-26.

“Past funeral disasters cast a shadow over Khamenei’s burial,” Iran International, 6-29-26.

This takes us back to the argument of who speaks for the Leader if he won’t speak for himself publicly.  It also takes us back to the issue of whether he is alive.  Based on everything since early March, if he won’t show himself, we can’t take the muddled word of the Regime apparatus including the Assembly of Experts that he is fine.  See “Iran’s top clerical body turns on itself over US deal,” Iran International, 6-28-26.  “A rare public dispute has erupted inside Iran’s Assembly of Experts after a majority of its members issued a statement on the US-Iran memorandum of understanding, prompting an extraordinary public rebuke from the body’s own leadership within hours. The exchange has exposed signs of growing infighting at the highest levels of the Islamic Republic. The normally quiet body, responsible for appointing and theoretically overseeing the supreme leader, has become the latest arena for disagreement over negotiations with Washington, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and the limits of compromise with the United States. The controversy began after more than 60 of the Assembly’s 84 members published a statement on Saturday that ventured far beyond the body’s customary role, laying out detailed positions on the memorandum, the Strait of Hormuz, Lebanon, nuclear negotiations and retaliation against the United States and Israel. The signatories thanked Iranian negotiators but warned them to learn from what they called the failures of previous talks, adding that observing Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei’s red lines was a religious obligation and that violating them was “not permissible under any circumstances.” In one of its most inflammatory passages, the statement called for those responsible for Ali Khamenei’s killing, including the US president and Israeli prime minister, to be punished, saying anyone with access to them had a religious duty to kill them. The statement also described reopening the Strait of Hormuz while Israeli operations continued in Lebanon as a “strategic error” and insisted Iran’s nuclear rights should be excluded from negotiations. The intervention was extraordinary because the Assembly almost never comments on day-to-day policy. Better known for infrequent formal sessions and ritual expressions of support for the leadership, it has also come under increased scrutiny following the opaque process that elevated Mojtaba Khamenei after his father’s death during the war. Within hours, however, the Assembly’s presidium and secretariat issued a rare public clarification that appeared to rebuke the manner in which the statement had been released. While reaffirming support for Mojtaba Khamenei and insisting officials must follow his guidance on the memorandum and negotiations, the secretariat said it was unprecedented for a group of members to issue a statement under the Assembly’s name outside its established procedures.”

Mayor Mamdani has to be careful he doesn’t become a tool.  Look at his statement/the headline.  If he is going to stand against countries that only support/allow one religion, then about 80 countries are opposed by the mayor of the largest city in the U.S., including Iran.  Is he saying this about Iran?  About the other countries?  If he only points out Israel, this becomes close to anti-semitism.  “Mamdani on Israel: ‘any state that privileges one religion, I can’t tell you I support’,” i24NEWS, 6-28-26.

“US and Iran agree to halt Hormuz attacks, will reportedly hold talks about Strait in Qatar on Tuesday | LIVE BLOG,” i24, 6-28-26.

“Algeria and Austria’s dramatic draw sends Iran out of World Cup,” ESPN, 6-28-26.  “U.S. officials have said all restrictions were known before the tournament.”  Yes.  For those persons complaining about Iran’s being at war with the world through terrorism yet FIFA allowing them to participate, and the U.S. having the difficulties from Iran for so many years but yet letting their team play in America, Iran has been treated very well.  Why doesn’t Iran try to host?  That would be a positive thing, instead of trying to demean, terrorize, shut the strait, and take hostage persons and ships?

“Iran Risks Peace Talks With U.S. to Maintain Leverage Over Strait,” NYT, 6-28-26.  The NYT is catching up to reality on this.  At least this story does highlight the geography-based lens that some historians of the Middle East use to explain politics, that high places and water resources and straits, etc. define who has power and how trade is done.  Oil and gas, of course, have altered this purist view though, along with solar and nuclear.

“IRGC targets Kuwait, Bahrain as US and Iran trade more strikes testing ceasefire | LIVE BLOG,” i24, 6-27-26.  Here we are, more than a week after the MOU started.  The thing to do is continue watching what Iran does, not what it says, as VP Vance said.

Framed as Muslim unity.  But only because Algeria can do something for Iran.  “Iran state TV urges Algeria to defeat Austria for Iran’s World Cup advance,” Iran International, 6-27-26.

Brilliant.  Lebanon agrees that Israel will leave southern Lebanon once Hezbollah is disarmed.  See “Israel, Lebanon sign US-backed framework agreement tying IDF withdrawal to Hezbollah disarmament,” i24NEWS, 6-27-26.

“Iran strikes vessel in Strait of Hormuz amid debate over “transit fees,” CBS, 6-26-26.

“Iran rejects UN-backed plan to free ships trapped in strait of Hormuz,” Guardian, 6-25-26.  The IMO and Oman proposed something reasonable, Iran refused because the ships wouldn’t go through its waters.

“How Iran Devastated an American Naval Base—and Caused a U.S. Recalculation,” WSJ, 6-25-26.  It could be as much as $30 billion of war and base damage costs.

“Iran and U.S. Agree on a 60-Day Roadmap,” Iran Wire, 6-22-26.

This is a major reason it will be difficult to work through the ceasefire/MOU—what Iran did by encouraging Hezbollah to shoot 50 rounds at Israel, then Israel shot back in self defense, then Iran announced it was closing Hormuz.  And the media only focused on Israel’s actions.  Thank you media—the headline should have been Hezbollah/Iran shoots 50 projectiles into Israel, Israel retaliates, then Iran claims Israel started shooting and will close Hormuz.  See “Iran claims Hormuz closed again as IDF attacks Hezbollah; Vance says Switzerland talks may start Sunday,” Times of Israel, 6-21-26.

“IDF uncovers major Hezbollah tunnel complex beneath southern Lebanese village,” i24, 6-21-26.  Iran has protested for years these places don’t exist.

I would think that the Regime will execute as many as possible.  “Over 4,000 cases opened in central Iran over January protests,” Iran International, 6-21-26.

“Iran delegation left talks venue after Trump threat — state media,” AFP, 6-21-26.  But the headline tells the story—Iran’s state media reported, but no else did.  In fact, Iran’s men didn’t walk away.  The hardliners want us to think this.

“As War With U.S. Eases, Iran Steps Up Hangings of Dissidents,” WSJ, 6-21-26.

“U.S. counters claim Iran controls the Strait of Hormuz,” CBS, 6-20-26.  Hey CBS, it will help if you don’t simply report what Iran says and what the U.S. says.  Dig a little deeper (there are other sources, and real-time info) to report who is making accurate declarations).

“Israel and Hezbollah renew ceasefire after deadly flareup disrupts opening of Iran talks,” Guardian, 6-20-26.

“June 19, 2026 – Israel and Hezbollah renew truce,” CNN, 6-20-26.  Iran needed its revolutionary group in Lebanon to slow down some.

This article is one of the best describing U.S. policy.  (it does not account for variations in the President’s communications).  “Peace Through Strength in Action,” James Thorne, 6-19-26.

Iran and Israel have agreed to hold fire in Lebanon.  For now.  “Israel and Hezbollah agree to renew their ceasefire, officials say,” Politico, 6-19-26.

“IRGC set up covert Iraqi cells to strike Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and UAE – Reuters,” Iran International, 6-19-26.

“Iran to get access to $6bn in frozen funds under interim deal – FT,” Iran International, 6-19-26.  “Iran is set to receive access to $6 billion in oil revenues frozen in Qatar under the interim agreement with the United States, according to a report by the Financial Times.  The newspaper said the funds would be released in phases during the 60-day negotiation period and could only be used to purchase humanitarian and other non-sanctioned goods from the United States.  According to the report, the arrangement is intended to provide Tehran with limited economic relief while keeping strict restrictions on how the money can be spent.  The funds are the same $6 billion transferred from South Korea to Qatar in 2023 as part of a prisoner exchange agreement between Washington and Tehran before access was effectively suspended following the October 7 attacks.”