“Guards push fast Mojtaba Khamenei announcement amid dissent over hereditary rule,” Iran International, 3-5-26.  I will include most of this story below because this is a key moment when a new leader is selected (imposed).  “Iran’s Assembly of Experts is set to hold an emergency session on Thursday to formally announce Mojtaba Khamenei, a son of the late Supreme Leader, as the next leader, despite opposition from some members who warn against “hereditary leadership.”  …  Two sources from the offices of Assembly of Experts representatives told Iran International that at least eight members will not attend the emergency session on Thursday in protest at what they described as “heavy pressure” from the Revolutionary Guards to impose Mojtaba Khamenei. The first emergency meeting of the clerical body to choose a successor to Ali Khamenei was held on Tuesday, but ended prematurely after Israeli airstrikes targeted the Assembly building in the city of Qom. According to sources, Thursday’s meeting will be held online and managed from a building near the shrine of Fatima Masumeh in Qom. Some representatives and members of the Assembly’s leadership board who live in Qom may attend in person.” Sources told Iran International that a group of opponents contacted the Assembly’s chairman and members of its leadership board on Wednesday, warning that declaring Mojtaba Khamenei leader could raise public concerns about the leadership becoming hereditary and the Islamic Republic resembling a monarchy. … Another member argued that Mojtaba Khamenei “does not have an established, public clerical and jurisprudential standing,” and for that reason his selection as the state’s Supreme Jurist (Vali-ye Faqih) would lack religious legitimacy, the sources added. These representatives called for Mojtaba Khamenei to withdraw and for a new vote to be held at Thursday’s session. Some opponents also signaled that if Mojtaba Khamenei does not withdraw, they may consider the selection process “invalid,” a step that could deepen divisions within the ruling establishment and intensify the Islamic Republic’s legitimacy crisis. After the historic National Assembly building in Tehran –where the clerical body traditionally meets – was bombed on Monday, the first session to select Ali Khamenei’s successor was held online on Tuesday without public announcement. Information sent to Iran International indicates that from early Tuesday, Revolutionary Guard commanders across different cities pressured Assembly members to vote for Mojtaba Khamenei through in-person meetings and phone calls. Sources said repeated contacts and psychological and political pressure on representatives continued until minutes before the online meeting began, creating what they described as an “unnatural” atmosphere inside the session. The Assembly leadership board insisted the vote be held quickly due to the country’s security situation. Several members opposed to Mojtaba Khamenei were given limited time to present their arguments, but the leadership board moved forward with the vote, cutting short further discussion. … Sources said that after the vote and shortly before the count was completed, the Assembly building in Qom – where the online session was being managed – was struck in Israeli airstrikes and communications were cut. Hours later, members of the Assembly were informed in phone calls that Mojtaba Khamenei had been selected as Supreme Leader by a majority of votes. … Information received by Iran International also indicates that threatening pressure from the Revolutionary Guards to persuade opposing representatives has continued. According to the sources, Guards commanders have been contacting and lobbying members directly to discourage them from boycotting the meeting or expressing public opposition.”

“Iran targets headquarters of Iranian Kurdish forces in Iraq,” BBC, 3-5-26.

“Shipping giant suspends Gulf shipping bookings until further notice,” Roya News, 3-5-26.

“Kurds backed by Mossad, CIA could lead next phase of war in Iran,” Axios, 3-5-26.

When I saw the news today calling Sri Lanka “neutral,” I thought “I don’t think so.”  For example, see “Sri Lanka-Iran Foreign Relations,” Critical Threats, 7-6-10.  SL and Iran are close.  So the following from the NYT I think could be challenged.  It’s headline is “Sri Lanka Is Caught in the Middle as Second Iranian Vessel Seeks Safe Haven,” NYT, 3-5-26, and it’s post-title runner is “A day after rescuing Iranian sailors from the wreckage of a warship sunk by a U.S. submarine, Sri Lanka’s neutrality is being tested.”  What neutrality?  It later goes on to state, “Sri Lanka, which has taken a neutral position on the conflict, …”  That’s right, a non-neutral, even an ally of Iran, can’t claim to be neutral on the current conflict.  Convenient.  “A day after an Iranian ship was torpedoed by the U.S. in the waters near Sri Lanka, the country’s president said his government has allowed a second Iranian ship [the IRINS Bushehr] to dock in one of its ports and allowed its crew into the country.”  The NYT reports “Sri Lanka and Iran have solid political and economic ties. The former bought $250 million worth of crude oil shipments from Iran before sanctions on the Middle Eastern country kicked in over its nuclear program. The two sides agreed to an oil-for-tea” barter deal, which allows Sri Lanka to pay Iran in monthly installments of tea, a top export to Iran.”  For the several who have said everyone must follow international law, remember the EEZ where Sri Lanka is not protected like territorial waters.  And President Dissanayake has put the second Iranian naval vessel after it unloaded its crew not in territorial waters but in the EEZ.  The Iran ship Dena was in Sri Lanka’s EEZ yesterday when a U.S. submarine torpedoed it.  I predict since Sri Lanka is harboring (excuse the pun) the sailors and the boat is in the EEZ, it will soon be at the bottom of the EEZ.

One of the most biased or misleading headlines, by PBS.  “Iranian warship was sailing home from India exhibition when U.S. sank it,” PBS, 3-5-26.  What does that make you think?  This ship was in a parade in another country, just minding its own business and blowing its horn and displaying flags, before it was ruthlessly attacked?  Or here’s another thought you might have, at the other end of the spectrum.  It is a warship, returning to the theater of battle—what are its opponent’s supposed to do?  They take it out.  It was poor decision-making by the captains (both, there are two ships).  At the least they should have asked to stay in India.  The next step was to surrender to the U.S., their ships might have been spared but their sailors certainly would have.  Shouldn’t PBS pick a title like “Captains endanger their crew by returning to war zone” or “Inexperience of Iran Navy on display off Sri Lanka.”

“Exclusive: Trump says he must be involved in picking Iran’s next leader,” Politico, 3-5-26.  “President Trump told Axios in an interview Thursday that he needs to be personally involved in selecting Iran’s next leader — just as he was in Venezuela. … Why it matters: Trump acknowledged that Mojtaba Khamenei, son of assassinated supreme leader Ali Khamenei, is the most likely successor — while making clear he finds that outcome unacceptable. For several days, the Iranian regime has postponed the announcement of the new supreme leader. But statements by Iranian politicians on Thursday suggested an announcement could be imminent. What he’s saying: “They are wasting their time. Khamenei’s son is a lightweight. I have to be involved in the appointment, like with Delcy [Rodriguez] in Venezuela,” Trump said. He added that he refuses to accept a new Iranian leader who would continue Khamenei’s policies, which he said would force the U.S. back to war “in five years.” “Khamenei’s son is unacceptable to me. We want someone that will bring harmony and peace to Iran,” Trump said.”