| The Islamic Republic at the Crossroads: Total Surrender or Death
By Behnam Mohammadi
Welcome to the Kayhan Life Week in Review
As the war entered its second month, Kayhan Life covered unrelenting repression inside Iran against perceived internal enemies, deepening rupture within the Islamic Republic’s security apparatus, and a widening conflict affecting the Middle East, Europe, and global markets.
►The Iranian regime expanded arrests, executions, and street controls to deter unrest. The state warned people accused of spying or aiding “hostile states” could face death sentences and total asset confiscation, with even sharing images potentially treated as intelligence cooperation. It also resumed the practice of confiscating the assets of Iranians living abroad.
Iran Executes Man Arrested Over January Protests
Fearing Economic Collapse After War, Iran Cracks Down on Dissent
Iran Warns of Death Penalty, Asset Seizures for Spying, Aiding Enemies
The Islamic Republic Has Gone Back to Seizing Assets of Iranians Living Abroad
►Meanwhile, suffering from an acute personnel shortage due to heavy casualties, desertions, and resignations, the IRGC sought fresh volunteers, including teenagers. The campaign to register volunteers was extended to adolescents as young as 12 and 13.
IRGC Seeks Volunteers Amid Rising Military Casualties in War With U.S.
►By March 30, thousands of 82nd Airborne paratroopers arrived in the Middle East, reinforcing Marines and other troops as Washington weighed broader military options against the Iranian regime.
Thousands of US Army Paratroopers Arrive in the Middle East as Buildup Intensifies
►The military buildup was matched by sharper rhetoric. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the coming days would be “decisive.” At the same time, the IRGC threatened major U.S. companies in the region, suggesting the Iranian regime was seeking to extend deterrence beyond the battlefield.
Hegseth Says Coming Days Will Be Decisive for Iran, Tehran Threatens US Businesses in Region
►Washington continued sending mixed signals. President Trump told Reuters the United States would be out of Iran “pretty quickly” but could return for “spot hits.” A day later, he posted a video on social media showing what he said was Iran’s largest bridge being destroyed in a strike, and declared that Iran should make a deal “before it is too late.”
US to Leave Iran ‘Pretty Quickly’ and Return If Needed, Trump Tells Reuters
Trump Says Iran Should Make A Deal ‘Before It Is Too Late’
►The conflict’s repercussions also reached European shores. France said a pro-Iranian group, HAYI, was suspected in a foiled attack on Bank of America’s Paris office, though authorities stressed the link had not yet been formally established.
France Suspects Pro-Iranian Group Hayi Was Behind Foiled Attack on Bank of America Paris
►The war continued to hit trade and energy, spilling over into shipping lanes, supply chains, and fuel markets. A tanker off Dubai was struck, aluminum smelters in the Persian Gulf were hit, and European officials warned of prolonged disruption.
Giant Oil Tanker off Dubai Hit by Iranian Strike After Trump’s Latest Threats
Iran Blows Hole in US Aluminum Supply Chain With Smelter Strikes
►In response, Europe prepared for a longer energy shock, and its stance grew more openly resistant. France, Italy, and Spain pushed back on parts of U.S.-Israeli military activity. At the same time, Britain chaired a virtual meeting of some 40 countries to explore ways to restore freedom of navigation, saying the focus was on diplomatic and economic tools.
EU Tells Members to Prepare for ‘Prolonged Disruption’ to Energy Markets from Iran War
World Anxious To Open Hormuz Strait While Trump And Iran Trade Threats |
