Category: Middle East

MIDDLE EAST (NPA) — March 20, 2026 — Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has confirmed the deaths of two senior figures in overnight strikes carried out jointly by the United States and Israel, on March 20, 2026.

Brigadier General Ali Mohammad Naeini, the IRGC’s spokesperson, was among those killed. A veteran of the Iran–Iraq War and a key architect of the corps’ “soft war” strategies, Naeini had served as spokesman since 2024. The IRGC denounced the attack as a “cowardly terrorist act” by what it called the “American-Zionist alliance.”

Reports also point to the killing of General Ismail Ahmadi, intelligence chief of the Basij paramilitary force. The Basij plays a central role in domestic security and surveillance, and Ahmadi’s death is seen as a major setback for Iran’s internal enforcement network.

The twin losses highlight an intensifying campaign against Iran’s military and intelligence elite, raising fears of further instability and retaliation across the region. Analysts warn that the strikes not only weaken Iran’s propaganda and security apparatus but also risk escalating tensions in the already volatile Middle East.

INTERNATIONAL (NPA) — March 19, 2026 — United Nations Secretary‑General António Guterres has called on the United States and Israel to end the war against Iran, while also urging Tehran to halt its attacks on neighbouring nations. He made the appeal on Thursday following his meeting with the European Council in Brussels.

Guterres warned that the escalating conflict in the Middle East — particularly involving Iran, Israel, and the United States — poses grave risks to regional stability and global energy security, citing disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz as a critical concern. He stressed the importance of multilateralism and closer cooperation between the European Union, the United Nations, and global partners.

The Secretary‑General urged restraint and diplomacy, calling for collective action to prevent further escalation and to safeguard humanitarian principles. He condemned the attacks on energy infrastructure in West Asia, warning of severe global economic consequences, and appealed for dialogue to restore peace, stability, and the free flow of goods and energy. His remarks echoed widespread concerns about blockades and rising oil prices.

Guterres further called for stronger international cooperation to defend multilateralism and prevent additional humanitarian crises, insisting that only through unity and diplomacy can the region move toward lasting peace and security.

Sweden’s Foreign Minister, Maria Malmer Stenergard, announced on Wednesday that Iran has executed a Swedish citizen. The announcement follows confirmation from Iranian officials that this marks the first execution of a man convicted of spying since the outbreak of the U.S.-Israeli war.

Stenergard described the development as deeply troubling, noting that it underscores the heightened risks faced by foreign nationals in Iran during the ongoing conflict. The execution is expected to further strain diplomatic relations between Tehran and Stockholm, while adding to international concerns over Iran’s use of capital punishment in politically sensitive cases.

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.