Expert analyses and reviews
In an episode of "Perspective" on Iran International, Mehdi Mahdavi-Azad discusses whether the IRGC commanders' actions against Trump are warmongering or deception. The full episode can be viewed on Iran International's YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/rJU5yUirOgI.
Political analyst Nemat Bahrami states that the IRGC and the power faction in Iran oppose the agreement being pursued by former U.S. President Trump and Iranian Mayor Gholamhossein Esmaili Qalibaf, believing Trump's intentions do not include regime change, potentially complicating negotiations.
Tasnim News Agency, affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, reported that the Islamic Republic has prepared for the possibility of resuming war over the past two weeks, including military redeployments and the creation of new target lists.
Former President Trump writes that Israel did not influence his decision to launch airstrikes against Iran. He attributes his decision to his longstanding belief that Iran must not acquire nuclear weapons and the events of October 7th.
A ceasefire violation in the Strait of Hormuz has been reported following comments by former U.S. President Trump regarding Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) attacks on ships, amid ongoing negotiations. The strait remains blocked, and Iran's ports are under siege.
Pakistan's Prime Minister Sharif conveyed perspectives from recent discussions with leaders of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Türkiye to his Iranian counterpart Pezeshkian.
The USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier has entered the Red Sea to enhance military readiness should the ceasefire between the United States and Iran not be extended, according to CNN.
An emergency meeting was held in the White House Situation Room with President Trump present to review the Strait of Hormuz crisis and negotiations with the Islamic Republic of Iran. Simultaneously, Qalibaf, a prominent Iranian official, warned that continued U.S. maritime restrictions could lead to further limitations on traffic in the Strait of Hormuz.
Morad Vaisi, a senior analyst at Iran International, stated that the Islamic Republic's naval and air forces have been significantly weakened by the U.S. military's blockade, rendering them incapable of escorting oil tankers and commercial ships, thereby undermining the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and the Islamic Republic.
The New York Times analyzed that despite significant damage to Iran's weapons production capacity from the U.S. and Israel, the Islamic Republic retains enough missiles, launchers, and drones to threaten shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, with U.S. officials estimating that Iran has preserved about 40 percent of its pre-war drone arsenal.
Morad Vaisi, Senior Analyst at Iran International, stated that the Iranian regime, which has not released any media of its new leader, is facing a significant divide among IRGC commanders over whether to surrender to the United States or resume conflict, amid growing public discontent and an escalating economic and industrial crisis.
Murad Vaisi, Senior Analyst at Iran International, stated that the power struggle over Supreme Leader Khamenei's legacy has caused discord among IRGC commanders, with factions led by Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf and Baqer Zolghadr facing off over their approaches to dealing with the United States.
