U.S. President Donald Trump has claimed multiple times that a regime change has already occurred in Iran, asserting that the deaths of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several top officials brought about this shift. However, reports indicate that Iran’s core institutions of the Islamic Republic remain functional. Following Khamenei’s death, a religious council swiftly appointed his son, Mojtaba Khamenei, as his successor.

Iran’s military, security, political, and judicial authorities have reaffirmed their loyalty to the Supreme Leader’s office and the theocratic system. Although the new leader has not yet appeared publicly, several written statements have been released on his behalf. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), established after the 1979 revolution to protect the regime, continues to lead military operations and maintain significant economic influence through control of natural resources.

The IRGC also retains armed control of the streets through the Basij and other paramilitary forces, underscoring the continued strength of Iran’s theocratic governance structure despite leadership changes.

Russia’s ambassador to the United Nations, Vasily Nebenzya, stated that Iran has the full right to control ship movements in the Strait of Hormuz. Speaking at the UN, he accused Western countries of hypocrisy and piracy, arguing that attempts are being made to unfairly blame Iran for regional attacks. Nebenzya said that any coastal nation under threat during wartime can restrict or regulate navigation within its territorial waters for security reasons.

He further compared Western nations to pirates, claiming that by supporting Ukrainian attacks on Russian commercial ships in the Black Sea, European countries are violating international law. According to Nebenzya, unlike pirates who attack under a black flag, Western states hide their illegal actions behind unilateral coercive measures, such as sanctions.

The remarks, reported by Al Jazeera, underscore Russia’s alignment with Iran amid rising maritime tensions and its criticism of Western policies in both the Middle East and the Black Sea.

US President Donald Trump has expressed dissatisfaction with Iran’s latest ceasefire proposal aimed at ending the two-month-long conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States. According to a US official, Trump’s disapproval has dimmed hopes for resolving the crisis, which has already disrupted global energy supplies, fueled inflation, and caused thousands of deaths. Iran’s proposal calls for a complete halt to the war and resolution of maritime disputes in the Persian Gulf before any discussion on its nuclear program.

A US official said Trump wants the nuclear issue included at the start of talks. White House spokesperson Olivia Wells stated that the United States remains firm on its “red line” regarding ending the war launched with Israel in February. Planned peace talks mediated by Pakistan stalled after the cancellation of visits by US envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s adviser Jared Kushner.

Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has sought support from allies in Islamabad, Oman, and Moscow, securing backing from Russian President Vladimir Putin. With no sign of compromise, global oil prices rose another 3 percent on Tuesday as tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz dropped sharply.

Iran has imposed a ban on the export of steel and related products following damage to its industrial sector caused by recent US-Israeli airstrikes. According to local media citing the country's customs authority, the directive prohibits the export of various steel products, including slabs, sheets, and strips. The new restriction took effect on April 26, 2026.

Earlier, Israel claimed that its airstrikes had destroyed about 70 percent of Iran’s steel production capacity, along with causing major damage to petrochemical facilities and transport infrastructure. The strikes occurred just days before a ceasefire that came into effect on April 8.

Analysts cited in the report warned that the loss of capacity in this strategically vital sector could have long-term negative effects on Iran’s economy, which relies heavily on industrial exports for revenue.

Iran’s state television IRIB reported that 155 people were killed in a devastating attack on a primary school in Minab on February 28, the first day of the new Middle East war. The victims included 73 boys, 47 girls, 26 teachers, seven parents, a school bus driver, and a pharmacy technician from a nearby clinic. The updated figure revises an earlier death toll of 175.

According to the report, the attack occurred as the United States and Israel launched strikes on various locations in Iran, prompting Tehran to retaliate against Israel and targets in the Gulf region. The New York Times cited a preliminary U.S. military investigation suggesting that a Tomahawk cruise missile may have mistakenly hit the school.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi described the incident in a video address to the UN Human Rights Council as a “planned, sequential attack,” rejecting the notion of an accidental strike and accusing technologically advanced nations of deliberate targeting.

A luxury superyacht linked to Russian billionaire Alexei Mordashov, a close ally of President Vladimir Putin, has crossed the Strait of Hormuz despite heightened tensions and blockade conditions. The 142-meter vessel, named Nord, traveled from Dubai to Muscat, Oman, over the weekend, navigating one of the world’s most critical maritime routes for oil and LNG transport.

The passage occurred amid increased restrictions by Iran on regional navigation and growing U.S. military presence. U.S. President Donald Trump recently announced a blockade on Iranian ports, further complicating the situation. Despite these challenges, the Russian-flagged yacht safely reached Oman’s Al Mouj Marina, one of the few private vessels to do so recently.

Mordashov, chairman of steel company Severstal, remains under Western sanctions, though his assets, including the Nord, have not been fully seized. It remains unclear whether he was aboard during the voyage.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stated that Tehran still possesses several important economic 'cards' that remain unused, countering Washington’s claims of dominance. In a post on his social media account on Sunday, he argued that the United States has already lost a significant portion of its power while Iran retains strategic leverage through its supply-based capabilities.

Ghalibaf described a balance between Iran’s supply-side strengths—such as the Strait of Hormuz, Bab el-Mandeb Strait, and oil pipelines—and the U.S. demand-side measures, including releasing oil from strategic reserves, demand control, and potential price adjustments. He noted that while the Hormuz card has been partially used, the Bab el-Mandeb and pipeline options remain untouched.

He further pointed out that the U.S. has already employed or partially used several of its tools and faces economic constraints, particularly with rising fuel demand expected during the summer vacation period.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has arrived in Saint Petersburg to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin for discussions focused on regional and international coordination and advancing joint initiatives. The visit was confirmed by Tehran’s ambassador to Moscow, Kazem Jalali, who said the meeting would emphasize strengthening mutual cooperation.

Russia and Iran have maintained a long-standing partnership, with Moscow serving as a key diplomatic ally for Tehran during its conflict with the United States. The two countries signed a 20-year agreement in January 2025 to deepen economic, military, and political ties. Russia has also described U.S. attacks on Iran as provocative aggression. In addition, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov recently praised Pakistan’s mediation efforts between Iran and the United States and expressed interest in contributing to the process.

According to a CNN report cited in March, Russia had provided Iran with intelligence on U.S. military movements, marking an early sign of Moscow’s involvement in the conflict. Araghchi’s trip to Russia follows meetings in Pakistan and Oman with key mediators.

Iran is seeking military and diplomatic assistance from Russia, according to an interview with Tehran University associate professor Foad Izadi published by Al Jazeera. The report states that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has arrived in Russia for meetings with President Vladimir Putin and other senior leaders.

Izadi told Al Jazeera that Iran’s air defense system is not at the desired level, and the country hopes Russia can help strengthen it. He also emphasized that Russia’s political backing as a permanent member of the UN Security Council is vital for Iran. Izadi noted that Russia recently vetoed a Bahrain–United States proposal, which reinforced Tehran’s interest in maintaining Moscow’s support in international forums.

The report highlights that Iran–Russia military cooperation is longstanding, dating back to the period following Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution, when Tehran began viewing Moscow as a key partner in military technology.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that peace talks in Islamabad failed due to what he described as excessive demands from the United States. He made the remarks to local journalists after arriving in St. Petersburg, Russia, where he said he would discuss the Middle East conflict with Russia, a key ally.

Araghchi explained that the discussions in Islamabad involved mediators and included talks on the conditions under which further negotiations might continue. He also highlighted Iran’s ongoing blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, calling safe passage through the strategic waterway a global concern. The minister urged neighboring countries, including Oman, to work closely together in their mutual interests.

Araghchi added that further discussions with Oman regarding the Strait of Hormuz are planned, signaling continued diplomatic engagement on regional maritime security.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has handed Pakistan a 'red line' list intended for the United States, according to Iran’s state media Fars. The report said the list includes issues related to nuclear matters and the Strait of Hormuz. The message exchange was described as unrelated to any Iran–U.S. negotiations and aimed instead at clarifying Iran’s regional positions and boundaries.

Fars added no further details about the content or implications of the list. Araghchi is currently in St. Petersburg, where he is scheduled to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin. Over the weekend, he held meetings in Pakistan and Oman with key intermediaries. Upon arriving in Russia, he told Iran’s state news agency IRNA that discussions in Pakistan focused on conditions under which Iran–U.S. talks might resume.

The development highlights Iran’s ongoing diplomatic activity across the region, involving Pakistan, Oman, and Russia, as it seeks to define its stance amid complex regional and international dynamics.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed to have neutralized a large number of unexploded bombs and missiles left after recent clashes with the United States and Israel in the country’s northern region. According to the Tasnim News Agency, the operation took place in Zanjan province, where more than 9,500 bomb fragments, several unexploded rockets, and missiles were reportedly identified and defused.

The IRGC stated that the weapons, dropped during airstrikes, included three U.S.-made GBU-57 bunker-buster bombs weighing 2,000 pounds each, as well as various LB-65, LB-84, LB-85, and LB-86 rockets launched from F-15, F-16, and F-35 aircraft. The corps also reported destroying 52 rockets and safely recovering over 10 missiles, which were later handed over to relevant authorities.

According to the IRGC, these munitions were intercepted by Iran’s air defense systems before being recovered and neutralized during a ceasefire period.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in St. Petersburg on Monday to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin. Speaking to reporters upon arrival, Araghchi said his visit aims to continue close consultations between Tehran and Moscow on regional and international issues. He confirmed that the meeting with Putin will focus on the current war situation and provide an opportunity to review the latest developments.

Araghchi expressed confidence that the discussions and coordination between the two countries would be particularly significant. According to the report, key decisions may emerge regarding diplomatic progress, possible solutions, and future steps to end the ongoing war with the United States and Israel. Before traveling to Russia, Araghchi had visited Islamabad, where he presented a framework for a permanent end to the Iran war to Pakistan’s top leadership.

The talks in St. Petersburg are expected to reinforce Iran-Russia cooperation on regional stability and diplomatic efforts related to the conflict.

The United States has directed 38 ships to return or change course as part of a naval blockade on Iran. The announcement was made by the US Central Command (CENTCOM) through a post on social media platform X, stating that the move is part of ongoing operations restricting maritime access to Iranian ports.

CENTCOM explained that the blockade aims to limit Iran’s maritime movements, preventing vessels from entering or leaving Iranian waters. The command confirmed that US forces continue to enforce maritime restrictions around Iran’s ports as part of broader efforts to maintain control over regional sea routes.

The report, citing Middle East Eye, did not specify the duration of the blockade or the types of ships affected, leaving the broader implications for regional trade and security unclear.

Russia’s envoy to international organizations in Vienna, Mikhail Ulyanov, stated that the United States should abandon its approach of issuing ultimatums and threats if it wants to advance peace talks with Iran. He made the remarks on social media platform X, emphasizing that Washington’s reliance on military pressure and sanctions to drive negotiations would not succeed with Tehran.

According to Ulyanov, the best way forward for the United States in the current situation is to stop using blackmail, ultimatums, and deadlines. His comments come amid ongoing diplomatic efforts involving Iran, Russia, and Western powers to stabilize the Middle East and address tensions surrounding Iran’s international relations.

The statement reflects Moscow’s position that coercive tactics are counterproductive in dealing with Iran and that dialogue should be based on mutual respect rather than threats or pressure.