IRGC brigadier general and commander of the Quds Force, Esmail Ghaani leads Iran’s external operations network after Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis killed; tied to regional power plays and Iran’s security strategy.
Following a six-week conflict with the US and Israel, Iran claims victory and strengthens its leadership. The new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, remains unseen and wounded. The Revolutionary Guards have increased influence, while Iran's political system remains opaque as negotiations restart with the US.
President Trump claims ongoing negotiations with Iran's government are progressing but warns of imminent military strikes if a ceasefire is not reached by April 6. He threatens to destroy Iran’s energy infrastructure if the US’s demands are not met, citing recent talks and military preparations.
The United States has placed multimillion-dollar bounties on two Iran-aligned Iraqi militia leaders and paused security cooperation with Iraq as it pressures Baghdad to curb militias linked to Tehran amid ongoing regional tensions and a stalled government formation in Baghdad.
Iraq’s new prime minister has formed a partial cabinet with 14 ministers approved by parliament. Interior and defence posts remain unresolved as lawmakers grapple with coalition lines and external pressure from the U.S. and Iran amid ongoing regional tensions.
Ceasefire negotiations in the Lebanon-Israel front have stalled after Hezbollah rejects a US-backed pact, insisting on Israel's withdrawal. The flare-up has displaced over a million people and kept northern Israel on alert as regional powers push for de-escalation.