Category: Europe-Asia

INTERNATIONAL (NPA) — March 18, 2026 — A funeral procession is underway at Revolution Square in Tehran for Iranian security chief Ali Larijani and Basij commander Gholamreza Soleimani, both killed in recent Israeli airstrikes.

On Tuesday, Israel’s Chief of Defence Staff confirmed that the two senior officials were deliberately targeted in an overnight strike on the Iranian capital.

The ongoing funerals followed another reported strike on the residence of Iran’s Intelligence Minister, Ismail Khatib. Khatib, who has led the Ministry of Intelligence since 2021, is considered a central figure in Iran’s leadership, with a career spanning the nation’s security and judicial institutions, including service under the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei. His fate remains unclear.

Earlier, Iran’s Foreign Minister, Seyyed Abbas Araghchi, speaking to Al Jazeera, insisted that Israel’s campaign of targeted eliminations “will not weaken the regime,” vowing resilience despite mounting losses and sheer uncertainties among senior officials.

The back-to-back strikes have rattled Tehran’s leadership, raising fears of further escalations and leaving many officials questioning who might be next on Israel’s list.

MIDDLE EAST (NPA) — March 18, 2026 — Tehran was rocked overnight as another Israeli airstrike reportedly zeroed in on Iran’s Intelligence Minister, Ismail Khatib, at his residence. Khatib, who has led the powerful Ministry of Intelligence since 2021, is regarded as a key figure in Iran’s inner circle, with a career spanning the nation’s security and judicial apparatus, including service under the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei.

Under his watch, the ministry has been accused of crushing domestic dissent, spearheading counterintelligence operations, and orchestrating activities against Israeli and Western interests. The United States previously placed a $10 million bounty on Khatib, fueling speculation that the strike may have been a calculated attempt to “cash in” on his head. His fate remains uncertain — whether he was killed or survived the attack.

The strike comes just 24 hours after the killing of Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council. That assassination sent shockwaves through Iran’s leadership, with officials reportedly trembling and frantically calling colleagues to ask who might be next.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, speaking to the U.S. Ambassador yesterday, chillingly declared he still has “names of the bad guys” to cross out.

Iranian authorities have yet to issue any statement on Khatib’s condition.

ABUJA, NIGERIA — (NPA) MARCH 14 — The United States Army Central Command (CENTCOM) has confirmed a large-scale precision strike on Iran’s oil-rich Kharg Island and the epicentre of its oil and industry.

In a statement on Saturday, CENTCOM said the operation destroyed naval mine storage facilities, missile bunkers, and multiple military sites, successfully hitting more than 90 Iranian targets while deliberately preserving the island’s oil infrastructure.

Following the attack, US President Donald Trump warned that any further Iranian attempt to block vessels in the Strait of Hormuz would trigger the destruction of Iran’s oil and gas assets on Kharg Island. The island, which handles about 90% of Iran’s crude exports, sits near the Strait of Hormuz — a strategic chokepoint through which 20% of global oil flows. Control or disruption of Kharg directly impacts global energy markets and regional security.

A portion of the CENTCOM statement read: “Last night, U.S. forces executed a large-scale precision strike on Kharg Island, Iran. The strike destroyed naval mine storage facilities, missile storage bunkers, and multiple other military sites. U.S. forces successfully struck more than 90 Iranian military targets on Kharg Island, while preserving the oil infrastructure.”

Iran has vowed to retaliate by targeting energy production facilities across the region if its oil and gas infrastructure comes under attack.

The escalation between the United States, Israel, and Iran shows no sign of easing. The confrontation began two weeks ago, with Iran launching missile strikes on Gulf nations and energy infrastructure in a bid to drive up global energy costs as part of its war strategy.

Meanwhile, the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) has expressed concern over the rising tensions, warning that any prolonged disruption in the Strait of Hormuz or Kharg Island could destabilise global oil supply and trigger sharp price increases. OPEC urged restraint from all parties, stressing the need to safeguard energy infrastructure critical to the stability of international markets.