A Checklist for Ruin
By Behnam Mohammadi
As war spreads from Iran to the Persian Gulf, the Red Sea and beyond, the Islamic Republic’s strategy remains unchanged: spreading chaos, shifting blame, and raising the stakes—approaching the point of mutually assured destruction to guarantee the regime’s survival.
Welcome to the Kayhan Life Week in Review
Washington’s pause in the two-week air strikes proved short-lived. President Donald Trump reversed course and ordered military and economic pressure after the Islamic Republic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) and its proxies renewed attacks on U.S. forces and regional shipping. The conflict widened beyond Iran and the Persian Gulf, drawing in Saudi Arabia and Iraq, threatening Red Sea trade, reaching Egypt’s Mediterranean coast and the Caspian Sea, and prompting warnings involving Britain, Greece, Ukraine, China and Russia. Washington also imposed fresh sanctions on regime-linked financiers, insurers, tankers and entities accused of monetizing the Strait of Hormuz. Inside Iran, the authorities intensified repression, carrying out further executions linked to January’s nationwide protests, while the European Union sanctioned judges and a cyber official over human-rights abuses. Meanwhile, Pakistan and Oman continued tentative efforts to revive negotiations.
►While Washington suspended its strikes, the Houthis targeted Saudi oil infrastructure along the Red Sea and declared a naval blockade of the kingdom. Oman had earlier proposed a temporary arrangement dividing shipping lanes equally between the Islamic Republic and other vessels, with regional governments and the shipping and energy industries providing financial support. Tehran rejected the proposal, arguing that it failed to address its security concerns, and instead demanded mandatory fees from vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz.
Drones Attack Iran’s Neighbors as Tehran Appears to Test Trump’s Latest Pause
Mozambique-Flagged LPG Tanker Attacked in Iranian Waters, Indian Embassy Says
Greek-Operated Air Defence System Shoots Down Missiles Over Saudi
EXCLUSIVE—Iran Flew IRGC Commanders, Missile Gear to Yemen’s Houthis
War With Islamic Republic Spreads to Red Sea and Caspian; Persian Gulf Quiet as U.S. Forgoes Strikes
►The war extended across the Persian Gulf region and beyond, drawing in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, and Iraq. In a significant escalation, Riyadh publicly joined Washington in strikes for the first time, targeting Iran-backed groups in eastern Iraq accused of attacking Saudi oil facilities.
US Strikes Iran as Widening War Engulfs More Countries
US Strikes Iran From South to North After Trump Threats Over Red Sea Shipping
US, Saudis Attack Iran-Backed Groups in Iraq, Threatening to Intensify Conflict
Egypt Confirms Drone Caused Fire on Two Gas Vessels at Damietta
►This week also marked Israel’s return to shaping the direction of the war effort. In their first meeting since February, the U.S. President and the Israeli Prime Minister weighed three options: diplomacy, continued blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and economic pressure, or a major strike against Tehran’s nuclear sites.
Trump and Netanyahu Explored All Iran Options, Including Attack, Israeli Official Says
►The conflict became increasingly linked with Russia’s war in Ukraine, turning the Caspian Sea into a new front. At the same time, Reuters reported that the Islamic Republic could soon receive Chinese shoulder-launched air-defense systems to rebuild capabilities and address weaknesses exposed by U.S. and Israeli strikes.
Ukraine Says It Hit Russian Warship and Ships Used for Iran-Linked Military Cargoes in Caspian
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Says He Warned Iranian Counterpart Against Escalation, Support for Russia
EXCLUSIVE—Iran to Get Chinese Shoulder-Launched Missile Systems in Weeks, Sources Say
►With growing concerns about Russian and Chinese support for the Islamic Republic, new U.S. sanctions targeted insurers, tankers, financiers and commercial networks accused of helping the Iranian regime evade restrictions, generating revenue and supporting the IRGC. The U.S. also targeted global networks facilitating Mahan Air’s transport of IRGC personnel, weapons and drones. A Reuters investigation also exposed a Dubai-based crypto exchange channeling millions for a vast gambling network within an alleged $4 billion sanctions-evasion operation.
US Issues New Iran-Related Sanctions Targeting Insurers More Tankers
US Hits Network of Iranian Financier Zanjani With More Sanctions
US Issues Sanctions Targeting Support Networks for Iran’s Mahan Air
SPECIAL REPORT – Illicit Iranian Gambling Network Helped Pull Off a $4 Billion Sanctions Dodge
►Even as pressure mounted, Pakistan explored a China-backed path toward renewed talks between Washington and Tehran.
Pakistan, Iran Explore Path Toward New Talks With US in China-Initiated Push, Sources Say
►Meanwhile, the Islamic Republic intensified its domestic campaign of repression and continued executions. In response, the European Union sanctioned five judges accused of human-rights violations and a senior official in a cyber organization linked to censorship.
Iran Executes Two More Men Over January Protests
Islamic Republic Escalates Death Sentences Against January Protesters
EU Sanctions Iranian Judges, Leading Cyber Group Figure
►On Iran’s cultural front, exiled editor Azad Andalibi explained how the Iranian regime uses censorship and security institutions to shape cultural life. His magazine, Baru, continues to publish online while its print edition circulates through underground distribution networks inside Iran.
Azad Andalibi, Editor of Baru Magazine, Discusses Censorship, Resistance
Updates from Kayhan Life’s Social Media:
Actress and Activist Nazanin Boniadi Responds to Being Named to a “Hostile Media” Target by Regime
Kayhan Life’s Curated News:
Is Trump’s “different” handling of Iran working? Plus missing Supreme Leader Khamenei latest, The Trump Report, Amy Kellogg interviews Nazenin Ansari
Treat of the Week
HOMEMADE PERSIAN TOOT
From all of us at Kayhan Life, we wish you a peaceful weekend.
