Key development: Iran’s new Supreme Leader publicly vowed to avenge his father’s death after Trump threatened to “decimate” Iran if it tries to kill him.
Inside Iran
(Update) Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei said avenging his father’s killing is “the demand of the nation” and “must certainly” happen. This is his first public statement since taking power after his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed—confirming the succession and dramatically raising the stakes. (France24)
Context: Mojtaba Khamenei inherited power after his father, Iran’s longtime supreme leader, was apparently killed recently. Trump responded by threatening to “completely decimate” Iran if it attempts or succeeds in assassinating him. Mediators are scrambling to save an interim ceasefire deal, but the mutual threats are making that a lot harder.
Sources: France24
US Policy
(Update) Trump and Iran’s new leader are publicly threatening each other while mediators try to keep a ceasefire alive. Trump vowed to “completely decimate” Iran if Tehran attempts to assassinate him, while Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei said avenging his father’s death “must certainly” happen. Both sides fired shots despite an interim agreement. (France24)
Context: The exchanges of fire happened after an interim deal was supposed to calm things down. The back-and-forth is putting enormous pressure on whatever ceasefire framework negotiators had managed to patch together. Trump’s threats came after Iran’s new Supreme Leader vowed revenge for his father’s death.
Sources: France24
Israel Policy
Israel told the US that Iran is plotting to assassinate Trump. [UNCONFIRMED] It’s not clear how seriously Washington is taking it, and the timing—right after fresh US strikes on Iran—is raising eyebrows. (France24)
Context: The warning adds another layer to the already tense situation. France 24’s correspondent notes the revelation’s timing raises questions about whether the US deliberately let the intelligence become public. It came just as ceasefire efforts were already looking shaky.
Sources: France24
Regional Actors
Lebanon and Israel wrapped up another round of talks in Rome about getting Israeli forces out of southern Lebanon. Meanwhile Syria says it just seized a weapons shipment bound for Hezbollah at its Iraq border—including missiles. (France24)
Context: The weapons seizure came after Trump floated the idea of Syria intervening against Hezbollah in Lebanon. Syria stopping arms shipments to Hezbollah would be a significant shift—Hezbollah has long used Syria as a transit route for Iranian weapons.
Sources: France24
Economy
The world’s nine most profitable airlines made $25 billion combined, but those numbers are from right before the Iran war started. Emirates stayed on top, but the industry snapshot is basically already outdated. (Euronews)
Context: The earnings reflect what was happening before the conflict reshaped flight routes, fuel costs, and demand. Airlines are now dealing with closed airspace, longer routes around conflict zones, and customers nervous about Middle East travel.
Sources: Euronews
Europe’s solar buildout has saved the continent €20 billion in gas imports since the Iran war started. The installations are cushioning Europe from volatile fossil fuel price swings. (Euronews)
Context: New analysis shows the solar capacity Europe added in recent years is paying off now that the war is disrupting energy markets. It’s giving European countries more breathing room as oil and gas prices jump around.
Sources: Euronews
What to watch: Whether mediators can salvage the ceasefire deal now that both leaders are publicly threatening each other.