On Tuesday, Iranians in Britain gathered in front of the UK Parliament in London, demanding that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps be declared a terrorist organization and calling for action against the Islamic Republic regime.
A video circulating in Mashhad shows a memorial for individuals described as killed within Iran’s ruling establishment, sparking speculation that Mojtaba Khamenei, son of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, may be among the deceased.
President Donald Trump stated that Tehran has informed Washington of its state of collapse and leadership crisis, and has requested the United States to open the Strait of Hormuz.
An Iranian military spokesman stated that early in the conflict, Iranian fighter jets attacked US military bases in Kuwait, Qatar, and Erbil, Iraq.
U.S. Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit boarded the M/V Blue Star III in the Arabian Sea today, suspecting it of violating the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports; the vessel was released after a search confirmed it would not call at an Iranian port. To date, 39 vessels have been redirected by U.S. forces to ensure compliance with the blockade.
U.S. President Trump stated that Tehran, currently facing a leadership crisis, has requested the U.S. to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Axios reports on Trump's indecision between pursuing military action and maintaining maximum pressure on Iran, while CNN notes Pakistan's interest in Iran's new proposal.
On April 28, 2026, Fatemeh Mohajerani, spokesperson for the Pezeshkian government, justified the approval of tiered internet and the sale of Pro Internet, stating it was necessary to prevent disruptions in economic activities and ensure business continuity during crises. This comes as the Islamic Republic government has restricted internet access for tens of millions of Iranians since the start of the war on March 29, 2025.
TankerTrackers reports that Iran has up to 20 VLCCs available to store excess crude oil, potentially buying time for Iranian oil fields before forced shutdowns; however, an unknown covert operation targeting subsea manifolds on Kharg Island could halt oil flow, rendering the VLCCs idle and causing rapid well shutdowns.
The U.S. Energy Secretary stated that ships can resume passage through the Strait of Hormuz without the need for complete mine clearance, asserting that establishing a safe corridor is sufficient.
![@ايران اينترنشنال: Javadnameh Rajabi Bistonagani, a 36-year-old protester and mechanic from the city of Zayandeh Rud (Lenjan), was killed during the protests of Dey 18, 1404 [January 7, 2026] in this city by a direct sh](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fpub-4357b54df55146feb8261be683c32511.r2.dev%2Fthumbnails%2F1777389333095-ee319403640762f8-LMES0UeOd7pq-Z7a.webp&w=3840&q=75)
Javadnameh Rajabi Bistonagani, a 36-year-old protester and mechanic from the city of Zayandeh Rud (Lenjan), was killed on January 7, 2026, during protests when a Basiji fired a military bullet from the rooftop of the Basij base, striking him in the heart.
On April 28, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Iran is in a state of "collapse" and called for the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, citing Iranian officials' own admission and their desire for the strait to be reopened "as soon as possible."
Chris Wright, U.S. Secretary of Energy, announced at the "Three Seas Initiative" meeting in Dubrovnik that creating a safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz is sufficient to resume ship traffic, without the need for complete mine clearance. Wright also revealed plans to increase U.S. oil and gas exports to Europe.
President Donald Trump of the United States posted on Truth Social that the Islamic Republic of Iran has informed him the country is in a state of collapse and has requested the U.S. to open the Strait of Hormuz.
The family of political prisoner Manouchehr Bakhtiar, a supporter of the monarchy, has denied claims that his recent critical message was issued under duress, stating that it is genuine. In a new statement, Saba Bakhtiar, the sister of Manouchehr Bakhtiar, affirmed that the audio message attributed to her brother is real and not coerced.
President Trump stated that the regime of the Islamic Republic of Iran is in a state of collapse and has requested the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz as it works to resolve its leadership issues.
Ibrahim Rezaei, spokesperson for the Parliament's National Security Commission in Iran, declared that the Islamic Republic is prepared for a "long-term war" and has not revealed all of its new weaponry capabilities. He also stated that the regime will not permit any oil to pass through the Strait of Hormuz without its approval, asserting control over the strategic waterway.
On Tuesday, May 8, 1405 (April 28, 2026), the Axios website reported that U.S. President Donald Trump is considering either a new military strike or intensifying the "maximum pressure" policy, including maintaining a naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz and increasing economic sanctions, to force Iran into negotiations.
An Iranian woman criticized the regime's "feminist propaganda" by wearing a hijab and holding a TV frame labeled "IRGC TV propaganda." Recently, massive women-only rallies were held in Tehran, featuring pink military vehicles and women armed with pink rifles and rockets, as part of the Islamic regime's effort to appeal to Western liberals and left-wing supporters.
On December 15, 2025, Iran launched an attack on a US military base using F-5 Tiger II fighter jets, which are older aircraft models. The location of the base was not specified in the article.
Axios reported, citing a U.S. President Donald Trump advisor, that Trump stated the Islamic Republic of Iran only understands the language of bombing. The article includes an interview with Hoshang Hassanyari, a Middle East and military affairs expert.
