[71707] Military tension in the Gulf, diplomatic contacts in Tehran, and an economic crisis in Iran

Military tension in the Gulf and international diplomacy

The level of tension between the US and Iran continues to rise. The United States has suspended arms shipments to Taiwan in order to preserve ammunition stocks in case of a direct conflict with Iran, against the backdrop of reports that the US military has suffered losses of dozens of advanced drones (MQ-9) in the campaign against Iranian air defense. US President Donald Trump unusually cancelled his weekend plans and secluded himself in the White House, which sparked a wave of rumors about security preparations.

In the Gulf sector, the US is expressing deep concern over Iranian cruise missile capabilities around the Strait of Hormuz, while Gulf states (led by Saudi Arabia and the UAE) have approached the UN to thwart an Iranian-Omani attempt to collect transit fees from vessels. European countries and Canada announced that they will participate in a Western task force to secure shipping in the region.

Inside Iran, aviation authorities closed the airspace in the west of the country to night flights until Monday, and the Revolutionary Guards announced the holding of "controlled explosions" in the Kahrizak area. On the other hand, mediation efforts continue: the Chief of Staff of the Pakistan Army and an official Qatari delegation arrived in Tehran for direct talks on stopping the fighting in coordination with the US, and China presented a four-stage peace initiative.

Economy, society, and protests in Iran

The economic crisis in Iran is deepening. Food prices have reached absurd levels, with a simple bag of chips selling for about half a million Tomans and a "Joojeh Kabab" portion crossing the one million Toman threshold. Due to the heatwave and energy crisis, working hours in government offices were cut (from 07:00 to 13:00) and overtime payments were cancelled.

Simultaneously, a huge surge has been recorded in the advertising and sales of VPN services by Iranian providers, who are exploiting the public fear of war breaking out and an internet shutdown. In the education arena, violent protests broke out in Shahrekord and Birjand by students and parents opposing the transition to frontal exams, and reports were made of the use of police force and riot dispersal measures. The only positive news came from ecology, as the water level of Lake Urmia reached a six-year high following heavy precipitation.

World News

• Afghanistan: The Taliban organization cancelled the previous age limit (16) and lowered the minimum marriage age for girls to just 9.


• China: The Chinese military unveiled an innovative development of advanced drones that look and behave like birds, intended for espionage and covert attack missions.


• Morocco: Disaster in the city of Fez – 9 dead in the collapse of a four-story residential building.


• Greenland: Mass protests in the capital against the opening of an American consulate on the island.

Sports

Iranian football is in turmoil following the revocation of the professional license for the Sepahan club, which prevents it from participating in Asian competitions and opens a succession struggle against other teams. Simultaneously, the Iranian national team is dealing with delays in issuing visas to the US ahead of the World Cup games to be held in the summer, while reports are being published in the US of extremely low demand for tournament tickets and criticism from Trump regarding the exorbitant prices. In England, Michael Carrick was officially appointed as the permanent manager of Manchester United.