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Iran War Crisis and Rising Oil Prices; Release of Strategic Emergency Oil Reserves

Jubin Katiraie
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Iran War Crisis and Rising Oil Prices; Release of Strategic Emergency Oil Reserves

Amid continuing concerns about the future of the global energy market, Reuters reported, citing a source in the French government, that member countries of the Group of Seven (G7) plan to review a proposal for the coordinated release of strategic emergency oil reserves.

A meeting of finance ministers from the G7 countries— the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Japan, France, Italy, and Germany— is scheduled to take place on Monday, March 9.

Reuters wrote that following production cuts by major oil producers and the introduction of Mojtaba Khamenei as the new leader of the Iranian regime—seen as a sign of the continued dominance of hardliners in power—oil prices have experienced an unprecedented surge.

Iran’s Youth Are Selling Their Kidneys as the Economy Continues to Plunge

Under these conditions, various countries are trying to adopt measures to contain the consequences of rising oil prices for their economies and consumers.

A spokesperson for the European Commission said the Iran crisis has pushed oil prices to more than 100 dollars per barrel.

Meanwhile, the European Union announced that its oil and gas supply coordination groups will hold a meeting on March 9.

During the meeting, the impact of Middle East conflicts on the energy market will be reviewed, along with the latest assessments by member states regarding the status of their oil reserves.

The military campaign against the Iranian regime and the regime’s retaliatory attacks have caused the Strait of Hormuz—one of the world’s most vital shipping routes—to become nearly closed.

The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow waterway between Iran and Oman through which about one-fifth of the world’s crude oil and liquefied natural gas passes.

U.S. President Donald Trump downplayed the rise in oil prices on Sunday evening, March 8, saying the situation would be temporary and that prices would quickly decline after the destruction of the Iranian regime’s nuclear program.

He added that the rise in oil prices is a very small price to pay for the security and peace of the United States and the world.

Decline of Stock Indexes in Asian Financial Markets

Reuters added in its report that as concerns intensified about a prolonged disruption in energy supply, stock indexes in Asian financial markets declined and the value of the U.S. dollar increased.

Asian countries obtain about 60% of their required oil from the Middle East. The figure is about 70% for South Korea and nearly 95% for Japan.

Lee Jae-myung, the president of South Korea, announced that the government will set a cap on fuel prices for the first time in about 30 years.

Lee said in an emergency government meeting that this crisis is placing significant pressure on the country’s economy because it is highly dependent on global trade and energy imports from the Middle East.

A senior member of Japan’s parliament also said the government has instructed one of the country’s strategic petroleum reserve facilities to prepare for a possible release of crude oil.

However, Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary later stated that no decision has yet been made to draw from the country’s oil reserves.

Reports indicate that the Iranian regime continues its attacks against countries in the region.

On the morning of March 9, a drone attack by the Iranian regime targeted the BAPCO oil refinery in Bahrain and caused damage.

BAPCO is Bahrain’s main oil refining facility and one of the key centers of the country’s energy sector.

Qatar had previously warned that oil prices could rise to as high as 150 dollars per barrel.

Washington Rally Supports Iranian Transitional Government

Sia Rajabi
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Washington Rally Supports Iranian Transitional Government

A large group of supporters of the Iranian resistance movement held a demonstration on Saturday, March 7, in front of the United States Congress, calling on the international community to support the people of Iran and to recognize the transitional government announced by the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI). Participants in the gathering chanted the slogan “Neither Shah nor mullahs,” emphasizing the establishment of a democratic republic in Iran based on the separation of religion and state.

The End of an Era: Khamenei’s Death Triggers NCRI Call for a Provisional Government

At the demonstration, several American political figures, human rights activists, representatives of Iranian organizations in the United States, and members of the National Council of Resistance of Iran delivered speeches. The central theme of their remarks was support for the ten-point plan proposed by Maryam Rajavi, the president-elect of the NCRI, for the future of Iran and an emphasis on the role of the Iranian people and organized resistance in determining the country’s destiny.

The National Council of Resistance Plan for the Transitional Period

Soona Samsami, the representative of the National Council of Resistance of Iran in the United States, referring to the sacrifices made by the Iranian people for freedom, said: “Thousands of people have paid a heavy price for freedom, and these sacrifices show that the people of Iran are determined to bring about change and establish a democratic republic.”

Referring to previous revelations by the Iranian resistance about the regime’s nuclear program, she said these disclosures prevented the Iranian regime from surprising the world with a sudden acquisition of nuclear weapons.

Samsami also referred to the transfer-of-power plan within the ten-point program and said: “The transitional government is tasked with transferring sovereignty to the people of Iran and within six months preparing the conditions for free elections to form a constituent assembly.”

She also emphasized that the plan includes the dissolution of repressive institutions such as the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the Basij militia, guarantees the rights of Iran’s various nationalities, and establishes full equality between women and men.

Remarks by a Former Member of the U.S. Congress

At the gathering, Ted Poe, a former member of the U.S. House of Representatives, referred to the widespread repression in Iran and said the world should know that thousands of Iranian citizens have been killed by the regime over past decades.

He described the Iranian regime as an enemy of the Iranian people and also a threat to the world, adding that dictatorships remain in power through weapons and repression, but such a situation will not last forever.

The former congressman referred to Maryam Rajavi’s ten-point plan and said many of its principles, including the separation of religion and state and equality between women and men, align with widely recognized democratic values around the world. He emphasized that the people of Iran must decide their country’s future themselves.

The Role of Youth and Women in the Freedom Movement

In another part of the program, Melody Mohammadi, a young Iranian activist, referred to the struggles of women in Iran and said: “For 47 years, women in Iran have been subjected to misogynistic laws, but they have never surrendered and today they stand on the front lines of the freedom movement.”

Emma Valibeygi, another speaker at the rally, also emphasized the role of the younger generation, stating: “We are not only thinking about the end of this regime, but also about a democratic future in which sovereignty returns to the people.” She called on the international community to support Iranian women and youth who are on the front lines of the struggle for freedom.

Emphasis on Nationalities’ Rights; Remarks by the Representative of the Kurdistan Democratic Party of Iran

One of the notable speeches at the gathering was delivered by Arash Saleh, the representative of the Kurdistan Democratic Party of Iran (KDPI) in the United States. Referring to Iran’s ethnic and national diversity, he said: “We are here today to be the voice of the people of Iran with all their social groups, nationalities, and ethnic minorities.”

He emphasized that the experience of two dictatorships in Iran has shown that without genuine acceptance of pluralism, democracy will not take shape in the country. Saleh said: “We cannot have democracy if the rights of nationalities and ethnic minorities are ignored or if they are labeled as separatists.”

The Kurdish political activist also stressed that preserving Iran’s territorial integrity would be strengthened by recognizing the rights of nationalities and creating mechanisms of autonomy within a democratic system.

Referring to the slogans of protesters inside Iran, he said: “The message of the people in Iran’s streets is clear; they want neither a return to monarchy nor the continuation of clerical rule, but rather a democratic republic.”

Emphasis on the Role of Organized Resistance

At the end of the gathering, Iranian activist Sina Saeidian referred to recent developments in Iran and said: “Real change in Iran will only come through the people and their organized resistance.”

He emphasized that the international community must recognize the right of the Iranian people to struggle against dictatorship and to strive for the establishment of a democratic system.

The Succession Crisis of Ali Khamenei and the Prospect of Overthrow

Hoshang Amiri
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The Succession Crisis of Ali Khamenei and the Prospect of Overthrow

Today, the Assembly of Experts of Iran’s regime, the clerical body responsible for selecting the supreme leader, announced that Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of former regime supreme leader Ali Khamenei, has been chosen as his father’s successor. In previous years, his name had repeatedly been at different stages as a possible successor to Ali Khamenei, and it was widely known that he was one of the main candidates for this position

Over the past four decades, the power structure of the regime has been shaped more than anything around a single individual. Since the death of Ruhollah Khomeini in 1989, all power dynamics have gradually become concentrated in the hands of his successor, Iranian regime supreme leader Ali Khamenei.

Ninth Day of War Marked by Extensive Attacks on Fuel Facilities in Tehran and Karaj

Khamenei was not only a political leader; he was the final arbiter among all factions within the regime. Disputes among governments, security commanders, clerics, and economic networks were ultimately settled in his office. For this reason, he was described as the “pillar of the regime’s tent.”

But the main question is this: When this pillar is removed, will the tent remain standing?

The succession crisis; a knot that will not easily be untied

Unlike in 1989, today the regime faces a series of simultaneous crises:

A deep divide between the government and society, internal economic and political pressures, intense rivalries within the ruling establishment, and a lack of political legitimacy in public opinion.

Can Khamenei be replicated?

Khamenei had more than three decades to eliminate his rivals and build his own power network—an opportunity that his potential successor will never have. Nevertheless, the regime will be forced to find a successor for its deceased Supreme Leader.

However, the regime does not have a figure who is acceptable to all factions and internal groups of the system and the hierarchy of clerics, even though several figures are being floated as candidates behind the scenes. For them, Mojtaba Khamenei—Ali Khamenei’s son—is considered the best option because, in addition to carrying the Khamenei name, he has effectively held influence over the country’s military, intelligence, and economic power structures and the administration of the Supreme Leader’s office in recent years.

But neither he nor anyone else will ever be able to fill the leadership vacuum of the regime, because Iranian society and the people of Iran—continuing the path of the January uprising—will not allow the regime to rebuild itself.

We, as the people of Iran—especially after the turning point of the January uprising that has placed the overthrow of the regime within reach and the death of Khamenei has sealed it—have never looked to foreign war. We believe that

The overthrow will only be achieved in the streets through an organized uprising and in continuation of the January uprising.

Ninth Day of War Marked by Extensive Attacks on Fuel Facilities in Tehran and Karaj

Esmaeil Mohades
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Ninth Day of War Marked by Extensive Attacks on Fuel Facilities in Tehran and Karaj

Amid ongoing clashes and reciprocal attacks in the region, early Sunday, March 8, reports emerged of airstrikes targeting several fuel storage facilities in Tehran and Karaj. Images and videos published on social media and by some media outlets show that several oil depots in different areas were hit, leading to extensive fires at these facilities.

According to the received images, the Fardis oil depot in Karaj was targeted around 23:00 last night. The footage shows large flames and thick smoke rising into the sky from the site of the incident and spreading over a large part of the area. At the same time, other videos showing severe fires at the Shahran oil depot in western Tehran and the Aghdasieh oil depot in the Sohanak area at the end of Artesh Highway have also been published, indicating the scale of the damage at these fuel storage facilities.

35 IRGC Centers Targeted in Western Iran; Tehran Targets Iraq with Drones

In this regard, the Israeli military announced in a statement that it had targeted several fuel storage complexes belonging to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in Tehran. The statement said the attacks were carried out with intelligence guidance and that these complexes had been used as fuel distribution centers for some military institutions of Iran’s regime. The Israeli military also stated that the operation was part of a new wave of attacks against the military infrastructure of Iran’s regime.

While the images released from Tehran and Karaj show widespread fires at fuel storage facilities, state-run media outlets have presented different narratives about the incident. The state-run Fars News Agency, quoting a source in the Oil Ministry, reported that three oil depots in the areas of Kouhak, Shahran, and Karaj were targeted by Israeli fighter jets. Meanwhile, the state-run ISNA news agency reported that an attack occurred around 22:20 last night near the Tehran refinery but said that “no damage has been inflicted on the refinery facilities and all refining units remain in operation.”

At the same time, a reporter from the regime’s state television news channel reported that due to the intensity of the fires around the Tehran refinery, it is currently not fully possible to conduct firefighting and rescue operations. Meanwhile, some domestic media outlets have reported that a fuel storage tank in southern Tehran was also targeted. As of the time of writing this report, no precise information has been released about the extent of the damage or possible casualties, and further details remain under review.

Escalation of political tensions

Alongside the developments on the ground, political tensions have also increased significantly. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the Speaker of the Majlis (parliament) of Iran’s regime, stated: “As long as U.S. bases exist in the region, the countries of the region will not see peace.” Ali Larijani, a senior regime figure and former parliament speaker, also reacted to the recent developments, saying: “If regional countries provide bases to the United States, we will strike those bases.” He emphasized: “There is no disagreement in the fight against America and Israel, and we will not allow them to escape this predicament.”

Larijani also spoke about the possible consequences of the war, saying: “We have not closed the Strait of Hormuz, but no one can pass through it, and the consequences of this war will not be limited to Iran.” He added: “We had already told the Europeans that if they participate in the war, we will inevitably confront them. We are not seeking to expand the war, but if they assist in it, we will have no choice but to retaliate.”

At the regional level, reactions to the recent developments have also emerged. Nawaf Salam, the Prime Minister of Lebanon, stated: “We will not allow Lebanon’s fate to be tied to the interests of Iran’s regime.” The U.S. State Department also condemned a drone attack by Iran’s regime on the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Meanwhile, Sean Parnell, a spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Defense, said confusion within Iran’s military is intensifying. The Israeli military also announced that 16 aircraft belonging to the IRGC’s Quds Force were targeted during the recent attacks.

International reports have also indicated growing concern about the expansion of the conflict. Reuters reported that more than 150 Iranian nationals, including diplomats and their families, left Lebanon on Saturday.

International Figures Discuss Iran’s Future at “Iran at Crossroads” Conference

Jubin Katiraie
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International Figures Discuss Iran’s Future at “Iran at Crossroads” Conference

An international online conference on March 5, 2026, brought together political leaders, former officials, and lawmakers from Europe and North America to discuss Iran’s political situation and the proposal for a provisional government by the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI). The event, titled “Iran at Crossroads: Supporting the NCRI Provisional Government,” focused on the opposition coalition’s vision for political transition and the framework it has proposed for a future democratic system.

Participants examined the NCRI’s Ten-Point Plan and its newly announced provisional government initiative, which supporters say is intended to guide a transitional period and prepare the ground for democratic elections. The conference featured remarks from a range of international figures who addressed both the political climate in Iran and the role opposition movements may play in shaping the country’s future.

Rajavi Presents Transition Plan

Maryam Rajavi, President-elect of the NCRI, opened the conference by outlining the purpose of the proposed provisional government. She said the initiative is intended to facilitate the transfer of sovereignty to the Iranian people during a transitional phase following political change.

According to Mrs. Rajavi, the provisional government would organize elections for a constituent assembly within six months. That assembly would then be responsible for determining the country’s future political structure through democratic procedures.

Mrs. Rajavi also highlighted the NCRI’s Ten-Point Plan, which includes commitments to gender equality, the separation of religion and state, and protections for the rights of ethnic communities in Iran. She described the plan as a framework for establishing a secular and democratic republic.

In her remarks, Mrs. Rajavi also referred to PMOI-affiliated Resistance Units operating inside Iran. She described them as organized groups working despite what she characterized as significant repression by authorities.

International Speakers Address Iran’s Political Situation

Several speakers at the conference shared their perspectives on Iran’s political landscape and the role of opposition organizations.

James Jones, former United States National Security Advisor, said that developments in Iran could represent an important moment in the country’s political trajectory. Drawing on years of observing the Iranian opposition, Jones praised the persistence of the NCRI and its leadership.

Jones also referred to the activities of Resistance Units inside Iran, describing them as young activists continuing their opposition despite the risks involved. He emphasized that the future of Iran should ultimately be determined by its own people rather than by outside powers.

John Bercow, the former Speaker of the UK House of Commons, addressed debates surrounding alternative political models for Iran. He criticized proposals advocating the return of the Pahlavi monarchy, arguing that such ideas represent a return to the past rather than a path toward the future.

Bercow said the NCRI’s long-standing political platform and its network of supporters demonstrate an organized alternative that has developed over decades.

Discussion of International Support

Other participants focused on the role of the international community in responding to developments related to Iran.

Ingrid Betancourt, a former Colombian senator, described the current situation as a potential turning point and argued that moments of political uncertainty require structured alternatives to prevent instability. She said the NCRI’s proposal for a provisional government deserves serious international attention.

Alejo Vidal-Quadras, former Vice President of the European Parliament, said Iran’s ruling system is facing pressures both internally and externally. He described the combination of domestic opposition and international pressure as a significant factor shaping the country’s political environment.

Former U.S. Senator Robert Torricelli also addressed the conference, saying that political transitions often require organized movements capable of filling governance gaps. He pointed to the NCRI’s political structure and international connections as elements supporters believe could allow it to play such a role.

Louis Freeh, former director of the FBI, similarly described the NCRI as an organized opposition coalition with networks that could contribute to managing a future transition.

Democratic Principles and Policy Proposals

Several European officials emphasized democratic governance and human rights during their remarks.

Robert Joseph, former U.S. Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security, referred to the NCRI’s Ten-Point Plan as a political framework emphasizing democratic institutions and civil liberties.

French lawmaker André Chassaigne stressed that decisions about Iran’s political future should ultimately be made by the Iranian people. He warned against narratives that could lead either to the continuation of the current political system or to the revival of earlier forms of authoritarian rule.

Christine Arrighi, another member of the French National Assembly, noted that thousands of parliamentarians worldwide have expressed support for the Ten-Point Plan. She highlighted provisions including equality between men and women, the abolition of the death penalty, and the separation of religion and state.

Policy Measures and Legal Accountability

Several speakers also outlined potential policy measures for Western governments.

David Jones, a former UK minister, called for stronger diplomatic pressure on Iran, including designating the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization and expelling Iranian diplomats from Western capitals.

Former UK Defense Secretary Liam Fox emphasized that the Iranian people must determine their own political future and argued that national sovereignty should remain central in any discussion of political change in the country.

Ola Elvestuen, a former Norwegian minister, described the current political climate as one of the most difficult periods for Iran’s ruling system in decades and said international support for democratic movements could be important.

The conference also addressed legal accountability in a possible post-transition period. Herta Däubler-Gmelin, former German minister of justice, said that addressing human rights violations would be a critical element of any political transition and highlighted the possible role of international legal institutions in that process.

Throughout the conference, speakers returned to the themes of political transition, democratic governance, and the potential role of organized opposition movements in shaping Iran’s future.

35 IRGC Centers Targeted in Western Iran; Tehran Targets Iraq with Drones

Sia Rajabi
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35 IRGC Centers Targeted in Western Iran; Tehran Targets Iraq with Drones

On the seventh day of the joint U.S.–Israel military campaign against Iran’s regime, a wave of heavy airstrikes was carried out against 35 centers belonging to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the regime’s security forces in the western belt of Iran. At the same time, Iran’s regime carried out drone attacks against targets in Iraq, particularly in the Kurdistan Region.

In the recent attacks, 35 bases affiliated with the IRGC in western Iran were targeted, leaving heavy human casualties.

Seventh Day of War: Iran Regime’s Firepower Declines Amid Expanding Conflict

According to these sources, among the targets were the IRGC headquarters and the Basij command center in Ilam, Basij facilities in the cities of Sarab-Bagh (in Abdanan County), Badreh, Dareh-Shahr, Dehloran, Delgosha (in Malekshahi County), Lumar and several surrounding villages, as well as the headquarters of the Imam Hossein Battalion in the city of Ilam.

These attacks were accompanied by a retaliatory response from Iran’s regime, and parts of Iraq—including Basra Airport and targets in the Kurdistan Region—were struck by drone attacks.

Agence France-Presse (AFP) reported on Friday, March 6, citing a security official, that a drone launched by Iran struck the cargo terminal of Basra Airport in southern Iraq. He added that two other drones targeted the facilities of a U.S. company in the Burjesia oil complex, while a fourth drone targeted the Rumaila oil field, where the major energy company BP operates.

Iraq, which for years served as a proxy battleground between the United States and Iran, has said it does not want to be drawn into the war engulfing the Middle East. However, despite these statements, it has not been spared the consequences of the ongoing conflict.

CNN reported early Saturday, March 7, that since it was revealed that the United States is arming Iranian Kurdish forces for a possible ground offensive, the camps of Kurdish groups opposed to Iran’s regime have become constant targets of the regime’s drones and ballistic missiles.

According to Agence France-Presse, explosions were heard on Friday near Erbil Airport, the capital of the Kurdistan Region.

The Kurdistan Regional Government’s Ministry of Natural Resources also announced on Friday that oil production at a field operated by a U.S. company had been halted following an attack that occurred the previous day in Duhok province.

The ministry stated that the attack was carried out from areas under the control of Iraq’s central government and called on Baghdad to prevent such attacks against civilians, economic infrastructure, and the oil and gas sector in the northern region.

Iran’s regime threatened on Friday that if Iranian Kurdish militias are allowed to enter Iran, it will target all facilities in the region.

Several opposition sources told Agence France-Presse on Thursday that no forces have entered Iran so far.

Kurdish militias and parties are currently in a position that can be described as a kind of preemptive deployment along the front lines, although a ground offensive has not yet begun.

Nevertheless, the heavy U.S. and Israeli attacks in western Iran may indicate that measures are underway to prepare the battlefield ahead of a possible ground operation.

US Takes Action to Confiscate $15 Million Linked to Shamkhani Network

Mehdi Hosseini
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US Takes Action to Confiscate $15 Million Linked to Shamkhani Network

The U.S. Department of Justice announced that it has filed two civil complaints in a federal court in Washington, D.C., seeking to confiscate more than $15.3 million in assets linked to an illegal Iranian oil sales network. The network is attributed to Mohammad-Hossein Shamkhani, the son of Ali Shamkhani, a former senior official of the Iranian regime who previously served as secretary of the Supreme National Security Council.

EU Sanctions Hossein Shamkhani: A Blow to the Oil and Weapons Network of Iran’s Regime and Russia

According to U.S. officials, the network used front companies, intermediaries, and a fleet of vessels to sell Iranian oil while concealing its origin in order to evade U.S. sanctions.

According to the Department of Justice, this complex structure allowed regime operatives to launder billions of dollars from global sales of Iranian and Russian oil through various financial systems—revenues that largely originated from Iran’s national resources and wealth.

U.S. officials say that a significant portion of the oil buyers involved in this network are located in China, and the transactions were conducted in ways designed to conceal the oil’s origin and transfer the money.

The U.S. Department of Justice said the action was taken to prevent the misuse of the U.S. financial system to finance the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and networks affiliated with it.

U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi said that under the leadership of President Donald Trump, there will be zero tolerance for individuals who use the U.S. financial system to support enemies of the country.

She added that the defendants in this case helped finance the IRGC by violating sanctions and transferring millions of dollars, and they will now face serious legal consequences.

Seventh Day of War: Iran Regime’s Firepower Declines Amid Expanding Conflict

Jubin Katiraie
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Seventh Day of War: Iran Regime’s Firepower Declines Amid Expanding Conflict

On Friday, March 6, as the war between the United States and Israel and Iran’s ruling regime entered its seventh day, reports indicated intensified strikes inside Iran alongside a significant decline in the regime’s missile and drone capabilities. According to the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), since the beginning of the conflict Iran’s ballistic missile attacks have dropped by 90 percent and its drone attacks by 83 percent.

Explosions Reported in Several Iranian Cities

Early Friday morning, reports emerged of airstrikes and explosions in multiple areas across Iran. Local sources reported blasts near Isfahan, Rasht, and Qom.

Iranian Regime Missile Stockpiles Are Running Out

In Tehran, fighter jets were seen flying at low altitude while several explosions were reported in different parts of the city, including the Pirouzi district. Regime-affiliated media acknowledged that some areas of central Tehran had been targeted.

In western Iran, reports also indicated a heavy airstrike and explosion in the city of Paveh.

Iranian Military Actions and Proxy Activity

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed that it had launched the “21st wave of operations,” firing Kheibar missiles toward Tel Aviv.

Meanwhile, Iran-backed militia groups in Iraq claimed they carried out 27 operations in the past 24 hours against U.S. and allied bases in Iraq and the region.

Qatar’s Ministry of Defense announced that a drone attack targeting the U.S. Al Udeid Air Base had been intercepted.

Security sources also told Reuters that a drone strike targeted Iranian opposition positions near Erbil in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

Expansion of U.S. Military Operations

CENTCOM reported that in the past 72 hours U.S. bombers had struck around 200 targets deep inside Iran.

According to the command, stealth B-2 bombers deployed dozens of bunker-busting bombs against underground ballistic missile launchers.

The commander also stated that U.S. forces have sunk more than 30 vessels belonging to the Iranian regime during maritime operations.

He added that the next stage of the campaign will focus on destroying Iran’s missile production capabilities.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth warned that if the Iranian regime believes Washington cannot sustain the war effort, it is making a “serious miscalculation.” However, he emphasized that the United States does not intend to expand its military objectives in Iran beyond the current scope.

Trump Calls on Iranian Forces to Lay Down Arms

Former U.S. President Donald Trump called on members of Iran’s military and security forces to lay down their weapons.

Addressing members of the IRGC, the army, and police, he said: “Once again, I ask all of you to put down your weapons.”

Trump also urged Iranian diplomats around the world to seek asylum.

International Political Reactions

Diplomatic reactions to the conflict have intensified.

The President of France called on Iranian authorities not to drag Lebanon further into the war and announced that France would strengthen military cooperation with the Lebanese army.

Meanwhile, European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the Iranian regime is a major “exporter of war” and has repeatedly attacked other countries.

Foreign ministers from the Gulf Cooperation Council and the European Union also held an emergency meeting to discuss the growing tensions and strongly condemned Iran’s attacks as unjustified.

Debate Over Iran’s Future Leadership

As the war continues, discussion about the future leadership of Iran has emerged.

According to Axios, Donald Trump said he should personally play a role in selecting Iran’s next leader, similar to the role he played in political developments in Venezuela.

Trump reportedly identified Mojtaba Khamenei as the most likely successor but stated that such an outcome would be unacceptable and that the United States would not accept a leader who continues the policies of Ali Khamenei.

Inside Iran, Ahmad Khatami, a member of the Assembly of Experts, said that selecting a new leader would be carried out at the earliest opportunity, noting that the country is currently in wartime conditions.

Attacks on Oil Tankers Raise Regional Tensions

Regional tensions have also spread to the energy sector.

Reuters reported that several oil tankers in the Persian Gulf have been targeted since the conflict intensified.

One tanker carrying crude oil under the Bahamas flag, anchored near Iraq’s Khor al-Zubair port, was reportedly struck by a remote-controlled explosive boat linked to Iran.

Another tanker near Kuwait suffered a large explosion in its hull, causing flooding and an oil leak. According to reports, at least nine ships have been attacked since the conflict began.

Rising Tensions With Azerbaijan

Tensions have also increased in the Caucasus region.

According to Sky News, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev ordered the country’s military to prepare for retaliatory strikes against Iran, accusing Tehran of a terrorist act and unjustified aggression.

Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry previously stated that Iran had launched a drone attack targeting the Nakhchivan autonomous region.

Lebanon Moves Against IRGC Presence

In Lebanon, the government has taken new steps against the activities of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards.

According to Al Arabiya, the Lebanese cabinet has banned any security or military activity by the IRGC on Lebanese territory.

Lebanon’s Minister of Information said authorities have been instructed to arrest any IRGC personnel identified in the country and prepare for their deportation.

The Lebanese government has also decided to require visas for Iranian citizens entering Lebanon.

Casualties and Damage Across Iran

Inside Iran, reports indicate widespread destruction and casualties.

According to the state-affiliated ILNA news agency, 174 counties across the country have been affected by attacks. In total, 1,332 strikes have been recorded in 636 locations.

Some reports mention attacks on the Sanandaj state broadcasting building, damage to facilities connected to Channel Two of Iranian state television, and strikes on the municipal building in Tehran’s District 18.

Reports indicate that more than 6,000 people have been injured, with around 2,500 still hospitalized.

Reuters, citing Iranian state media, reported that more than 1,000 people have been killed, including at least 175 students, although detailed figures for military casualties have not been disclosed.

Continuing Military Escalation

Iran has reportedly launched a new wave of missiles toward Israel.

Meanwhile, the Israeli military announced that it had begun a large wave of airstrikes against targets in Tehran, with explosions reported in Tehran and Karaj.

Israeli officials also said that any successor to Ali Khamenei would remain a target if they continued the same policies.

A Widening Conflict

Overall, developments on the seventh day of the war indicate that the conflict is continuing to expand. Beyond the battlefield, the war is producing significant political, humanitarian, and diplomatic consequences across the region and internationally.

Trump Assassination Plot Suspect Says Iran’s Regime Planned It, Threatened His Family

Esmaeil Mohades
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Trump Assassination Plot Suspect Says Iran’s Regime Planned It, Threatened His Family

A suspect in the plot to assassinate U.S. President Donald Trump said the assassination had been planned by Iran’s regime and that his family had been threatened.

Asif Raza Merchant, a Pakistani man accused of planning the assassination of U.S. President Donald Trump and several other senior American politicians, told the court that the plot had been imposed on him under pressure from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

Merchant, who was charged in September 2024 with attempting to hire a hitman to assassinate American politicians, said during his trial that he was forced to participate in the plot in order to protect his family, who live in Tehran.

Pakistan National Arrested in U.S. On Charges of Trying to Hire a Hitman on Behalf Iran’s Regime

Merchant said in court through an Urdu interpreter: “My family were under pressure and threats, and I had to do this.”

According to him, although he had not received a specific order to kill a particular individual, his Iranian contact mentioned the names of several American political figures during the course of the plot.

Merchant told the court that among the names mentioned were Donald Trump, former U.S. president Joe Biden, and Nikki Haley, the former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.

This case comes as earlier reports had indicated that after the killing of Qassem Soleimani in 2020, the IRGC had attempted to target senior American officials, including Trump.

U.S. officials had previously stated that Merchant had close connections with Iran and that his alleged plot was entirely consistent with the typical methods used by Iran’s regime.

Merchant also told the court that he began cooperating with an individual from the IRGC around 2022.

According to judicial officials, he had attempted to hire individuals to carry out the assassination who were in fact undercover FBI agents, which ultimately led to his arrest.

Repression and Human Rights Violations in Iran – February 2026

Mehdi Hosseini
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Repression and Human Rights Violations in Iran – February 2026

What distinguishes the page of Iran’s history at the beginning of 2026 more than ever before is the emergence of an uprising that reflects the public’s anger toward Iran’s regime.

Images of the piled-up bodies of those killed in the uprising in warehouses and morgues have recorded a bitter yet telling picture in Iran’s history.

Something that until a day earlier was unimaginable for the people and the majority of society suddenly occurred, not as an isolated incident in one corner of the country but in an organized manner across most cities in Iran.

Resistance Units Intensify Activities Across Iran Amid External Military Strikes

But immediately after that crime, the people of Iran became caught in a war that itself represents another scene of human rights violations by the ruling dictatorship as well as by the attacking countries.

The Human Rights Situation in Iran in February

The situation of repression and human rights violations in Iran in February 2026 can be summarized as follows:

Executions

According to published reports, at least 295 people were executed in various prisons across Iran during this month. Among those executed were three Baluch individuals, 12 Kurds, and three Afghan nationals.

The breakdown of executions is as follows:

  • Men in prison: 291
  • Women in prison: four

Women Executed

  • Shahla Dowlatabadi: Executed on February 9, 2026, on murder charges in Kerman Central Prison.
  • Esmat Najafi: Executed on February 15, 2026, on murder charges in Qom Central Prison.
  • Mina Nasirpour: She was 40 years old and was executed on February 16, 2026, on drug-related charges in Tabriz Central Prison. Her husband had also been executed in November 2025.
  • Soheila Asadi: Executed on February 23, 2026, on murder charges in Isfahan Central Prison.

Arrests

Following the January uprising, the wave of arrests continued during this month as well. However, the exact number of arrests has not yet been fully released. According to available reports, at least 244 people whose names have been announced were arrested during this month, though the real number of arrests is believed to be much higher.

Reports were also published this month of one case of arbitrary arrest and two cases of arrests involving followers of other religions.

Arbitrary Killings and Torture

Regarding arbitrary killings and cases of torture in prisons and detention centers following January 2025, no precise statistics have been released, but evidence and reports indicate that the number of such cases is likely significant.

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