On 12 March 2026, Iran’s state television broadcast what officials described as the first statement from the country’s newly appointed Supreme Leader. Rather than hearing directly from Mojtaba Khamenei, viewers were shown a still image of him while a news presenter read the statement aloud. There was no recorded speech, no live appearance, and no video message. The individual constitutionally designated as Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, protector of the Islamic Revolution, and earthly representative of the Hidden Imam had not appeared publicly or spoken since his appointment three days earlier.
Tag: Shia Muslims
The Four Fault Lines the Iran War just Cracked Open in Pakistan
When the United States and Israel launched coordinated strikes against Iran on February 28, 2026, every country in the region was forced to pick a lane. Most found one, if only rhetorically. The Gulf states condemned Iran’s retaliatory missile barrages on their soil. China called for restraint and dispatched an envoy. Turkey blocked use of its airspace. India said nothing, and meant it. Pakistan could not afford to say nothing. And it could not afford to say something.