Iranian military officer, commander of IRGC since March 2026
Iran’s leadership is consolidating amid ongoing war and sanctions. The IRGC is gaining power across military, security, and economic spheres, with the Supreme National Security Council taking a central role in negotiations with the United States. Disagreement persists over concessions, while the Strait of Hormuz remains a focal point of leverage and diplomacy.
Iran’s leadership has shifted under wartime pressures, with Mojtaba Khamenei acting more as a legitimizer of generals’ decisions than a direct decider. Real power now rests with a wartime bloc anchored by the SNSC, the IRGC, and the security apparatus, potentially reshaping Iran’s strategies in diplomacy and domestic policy. The updates come as negotiations with the United States continue with staged talks contemplated by Tehran.
Vahidi has emerged as a central figure in Iran’s diplomacy and crisis management, guiding negotiation posture and security strategy as Iran maintains pressure in the Strait of Hormuz and across the Gulf. New unity claims surround leadership circles amid a concealed supreme leader.
The United States and Iran are moving toward a temporary agreement. Delegations have travelled to Doha for technical talks while Tehran says no direct meeting has been scheduled; both sides are discussing the interim deal and the Strait of Hormuz. Funeral ceremonies for Ayatollah Khamenei are ongoing in Tehran and Mashhad as Iran grapples with leadership transitions.
Authorities have mobilised for a three-day state funeral for Ali Khamenei, with millions expected to attend. Tehran lies in a hush as shops close and airspace tightens. The funeral will travel to Najaf, Karbala and Mashhad, with a Saudi-led war context looming over the proceedings.
Mourners are gathering in Tehran for the state funeral of Iran’s former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran has organised a week of public ceremonies across cities and in neighboring Iraq, as the regime frames the event as a referendum on its rule while warning against external interference.
Hundreds of thousands fill Tehran for the funeral of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as violence continues around Iran’s war with the United States and Israel. Iran’s leadership appears intact as new faces step forward, while the leadership’s line calls for revenge amid ongoing negotiations with the United States. The funeral coincides with demonstrations and threats directed at U.S. President Trump and Israel’s Netanyahu.
Khamenei’s funeral ceremonies unfold across Mashhad, Tehran and beyond as Iran’s leadership figures gather for a six‑day event. Mojtaba Khamenei remains absent, fueling questions about his health and authority as regional leaders project unity amid ongoing conflict with the US and Israel.