… He received his secondary education at the religious Alavi School in Tehran. At 17, Mojtaba served in the military for several short periods during the Iran-Iraq War, according to Iranian media. …
Iran was preparing to reveal its new supreme leader on Sunday, after US-Israeli air strikes destroyed fuel dumps and triggered fires that choked much of Tehran in a thick blanket of smoke. …
… Powerful explosions also shook Tehran through the night, as fighter jets flew over the Iranian capital and US president Donald Trump threatened to escalate the conflict. …
… Tehran has signalled further military responses against US bases in the Gulf. Meanwhile, Russia’s president, Vladimir Putin, condemned the killing of Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as a violation of international law, while China strongly criticised the strikes an …
… As crowds gathered in Tehran, explosions rang out and the Israeli military announced that it was again striking targets in the heart of the city, as more blasts were heard in Jerusalem, Riyadh, Dubai, Doha and Manama. …
… After the Islamic revolution, its leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini appointed him Friday prayer leader of the capital, Tehran.Every week, his political sermons were broadcast throughout the country. …
TEHRAN – Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps on Monday began a series of military exercises in the Strait of Hormuz, state media reported on the eve of talks with the United States. …
An opinion piece contends that Namibia's economy relies on extractive mining—exporting unprocessed uranium without refining, fabricating, or building reactors domestically—and that this approach represents "economic surrender" rather than an industrial policy. The author urges Namibia to treat uranium as a strategic asset and develop domestic capabilities in reactor physics and radiation safety.
An opinion piece contends that Namibia's economy relies on extractive mining—exporting unprocessed uranium without refining, fabricating, or building reactors domestically—and that this approach represents "economic surrender" rather than an industrial policy. The author urges Namibia to treat uranium as a strategic asset and develop domestic capabilities in reactor physics and radiation safety.
Senior Namibian officials Charles Mubita and Peya Mushelenga joined global dignitaries in Tehran on Saturday to honour Iran's late supreme leader, Grand Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who died on 28 February at age 86. Iran commenced a week-long funeral and memorial schedule, with processions planned to travel from Tehran to holy cities including Qom, Najaf, Karbala, and Mashhad for Khamenei's final burial.
Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei was absent from his father's funeral on Sunday, with other senior regime figures and three of his brothers in attendance. Mojtaba has not appeared in public since his appointment in early March, amid speculation about his condition following alleged wounds from US-Israel air strikes that killed his father in February.
Minister in the Presidency Charles Mubita and National Assembly member Dr Peya Mushelenga represented Namibia at a public farewell ceremony for Iran's late Supreme Leader Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Hosseini Khamenei in Tehran on Saturday, attended by foreign dignitaries from several countries.
US Vice-President JD Vance says Donald Trump may decide to release a preliminary memorandum of understanding between the US and Iran before Friday, when the deal is formally signed in Geneva. The MOU, described as "about a page and a half" and "very general," has already been electronically signed by Trump, Vance, and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.
European champions Spain drew 0-0 with Cape Verde, World Cup debutants from a volcanic archipelago of 525,000 people, despite enjoying 74 percent possession in their Group H opener. Iran prepared to make their long-awaited tournament entrance against New Zealand.
Iran held a send-off ceremony for its national football team ahead of the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada. The team, coached by Amir Ghalenoei, will face New Zealand, Belgium and Egypt in Group G, opening their campaign against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15.
US President Donald Trump has said the war in Iran will be "over quickly" and that he aims to end Tehran's nuclear ambitions. Iran said a US proposal to end the war is "still being considered"; Axios reported the White House is working toward a 14-point memorandum of understanding with Iran that could frame nuclear negotiations, with provisions including suspension of Iranian nuclear enrichment, lifting sanctions, and restoring free transit through the Strait of Hormuz.
US president Donald Trump ordered a blockade of Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz, raising fears of an oil shock by threatening supplies particularly to Asia. The blockade follows recent US-Israel military action and threatens to disrupt Iran's crude exports at a time when shipments have been helping ease global market pressure, with oil prices already jumping 8% in response to the announcement.
Pope Leo told reporters he has "no fear" of the Trump administration and will continue to advocate for peace after Trump attacked him on social media for his stance on Iran, calling him "weak on crime and terrible for foreign policy." The pope said his role is to spread the message of the gospel and stand against global conflicts and innocent suffering.
As a US deadline looms for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, new strikes rocked Tehran with both sides rejecting an international ceasefire proposal. President Trump has warned of "complete demolition" of Iranian infrastructure if the deadline is not met, while Iran's military dismissed his threats and Iranian officials reject demands to end their control of the strategic chokepoint.
US president Donald Trump has warned that Iranian civilization "will die" if the country does not meet his midnight Tuesday ultimatum to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, stating the US military could bomb Iran's bridges, power plants and civilian infrastructure into the "stone age". Iran has rejected the pressure and insists on a full end to the war rather than a temporary ceasefire.
Iran's foreign ministry alleged that a US operation to rescue a downed F-15E pilot on Friday may have been cover for stealing enriched uranium, calling it a "deception operation," though the US characterized the mission as a successful "daring" search and rescue. Iran's military claimed several US aircraft were damaged during the operation, while Iranian media also reported damage to a Tehran university's gas infrastructure and AI facility from overnight strikes.
As Trump threatens military action against Iran over the Strait of Hormuz, several Asian countries—including the Philippines, Pakistan, India, and China—have already struck agreements with Tehran to ensure safe passage for their vessels through the critical shipping route. The diplomatic arrangements reflect nations' heavy energy dependence on the Gulf and their preference for negotiation over conflict, though the scope and durability of these agreements remain uncertain.
Iran has warned of "much more devastating" retaliation if civilian targets are attacked, after US President Donald Trump threatened on Sunday to strike Iranian infrastructure including power plants and bridges unless the Strait of Hormuz is reopened by Tuesday. Iranian civilians in Tehran and Karaj have expressed fears and begun stockpiling supplies in response to the threats.
US President Donald Trump threatened to strike Iran's power plants and bridges if it does not reopen the Strait of Hormuz shipping lane, after announcing a "miraculous" rescue of a wounded American airman from inside Iran. The escalating conflict has engulfed the Middle East, prompted Iran to largely block the vital oil and gas conduit, and drawn international concern including a papal call for peace.
Iran is deploying children as young as 12 in security roles including checkpoints and patrols, a practice confirmed by eyewitness accounts and highlighted by an 11-year-old's death at a checkpoint in Tehran. Human rights organisations say the recruitment programme violates international law and constitutes war crimes when children under 15 are involved.
Israel and Iran exchanged missile fire as US President Trump signals possible military operations against Iran's oil infrastructure, sending global oil prices toward US$100–$117 per barrel. The Middle East conflict is disrupting global energy supplies, with analysts warning that further US or Iranian action could drive prices to historic highs.
France's foreign minister said it would be "extremely serious" and a violation of international law if Israel deliberately targeted three journalists killed in a strike on south Lebanon, including correspondents from Hezbollah-linked media outlets. The Israeli military confirmed the killing and accused one correspondent of operating within Hezbollah, while Lebanese authorities have condemned the deaths as war crimes.
Iran's parliament speaker warned that Iranian forces were "waiting for American soldiers" as 3,500 additional US troops arrived in the Middle East, threatening to "rain fire" on any forces attempting to enter Iranian territory. The deployment comes amid reports that the Pentagon is preparing for potential ground operations in Iran, though US officials have not confirmed whether troops will be deployed.
Iranian newspapers and state media ridiculed President Trump's announcement of diplomatic discussions to end the war, with cartoons depicting him as Pinocchio and comparing him to a liar. Iranian authorities have denied there are any negotiations with the United States, with officials suggesting Trump made the claims to calm markets and reduce oil prices.
Iran has threatened to attack US energy and infrastructure across the Middle East if President Trump follows through on his vow to "obliterate" Iranian power plants, amid escalating missile strikes between Iran and Israel over the Strait of Hormuz and nuclear facilities.
Explosions struck Tehran following a night of bombing as US President Trump pressed allies to help protect shipping in the Strait of Hormuz; the conflict, now in its third week, has spread to Lebanon and Iraq, displaced millions, and driven oil prices up five percent, though major allies including Britain, Germany, Japan, and Australia have refused military involvement.
Israel's military said it has begun "limited and targeted ground operations" against Hezbollah strongholds in southern Lebanon, aimed at dismantling terrorist infrastructure and protecting northern Israeli residents. The operations follow earlier Israeli air strikes and reflect escalating tension after Hezbollah's recent attacks involving hundreds of daily rocket launches toward Israel.
Donald Trump told NBC News he is not ready to seek a deal to end the war with Iran, saying terms are not good enough, while US-Israeli forces continue strikes and Iran's new supreme leader vows to keep the Strait of Hormuz closed. Israel has approved an emergency military budget of $827 million as the conflict enters its third week, with neither side moderating rhetoric despite mounting death toll and economic damage.
Flights at Dubai airport gradually resumed on Monday following a drone-related incident that sparked a fire at a nearby fuel tank, with no injuries reported. The incident occurred amid Iranian drone and missile attacks on the UAE, which has intercepted the majority of projectiles but continues to face disruptions to civil infrastructure and travel.
Israeli bombing of Iranian oil infrastructure near Tehran has triggered immediate health concerns and long-term environmental damage, with experts warning of contaminated water and soil, acid rain, and respiratory hazards from toxic smoke and particulates. Tehran residents have already reported breathing difficulties, eye irritation, and throat burning from black rain containing soot and oil particles.
As the US and Israel continue attacking Iran since 28 February, young Iranians in Tehran are sheltering at home, adjusting sleep schedules around bombings, and some fleeing to safer regions ahead of Nowruz. With government-imposed internet outages, residents are using Starlink devices at high cost and legal risk to maintain contact with loved ones, though connectivity remains severely limited.
Mojtaba Khamenei, 56, has assumed Iran's top position following his father Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's assassination, taking charge as the Islamic Republic confronts existential conflict. The reclusive cleric, who lost family members in the same strike and has never held public office, now leads a hardline regime while facing threats from the US and Israel, domestic opposition, and economic pressures from escalating Middle Eastern conflict.
Iran's Revolutionary Guards said they can sustain aerial drone and missile attacks for up to six months after US-Israeli air strikes hit fuel depots in Tehran and targeted locations in Beirut. The conflict has extended into its ninth day with no clear path to resolution, as analysts warn it could last a month or longer.