Donald Trump and Ali Khamenei revive decades-old rivalry as US military buildup raises fears of a major Middle East conflict

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader, has vowed to unleash a regional war if America launches air strikes. Initially few in the Middle East seemed eager for further conflict. The region’s power-brokers tried to dissuade America from military action. But attitudes now look more mixed.

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, said his country was 'ready' for talks with the US, but no concrete plans had yet been made.

For nearly half a century, Iran has prepared for a war with the United States. Unable to match America’s military power, Tehran has instead focused on ways to impose heavy costs that could shake the Middle East and the global economy.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is facing intense backlash after his office marked World Hijab Day with a celebratory post praising the hijab as a symbol of faith, identity and pride. The message quickly drew criticism online,

Set aside for a moment the enormity of Iran’s clerical tyranny having murdered tens of thousands of unarmed citizens. Even then, thinking only of America’s national security interests, without considering the moral imperative to stop a historic massacre and punish the perpetrators,

Due to the U.S.’s current ability to easily control the stablecoin domain, more sanctioned or overly prosecuted (rightly or wrongly) entities may turn to bitcoin over time, where there is no central entity that can seize or freeze funds. Indeed, according to another recent Chainalysis report, there are already signs this is happening in Iran.

Democratic nations, led by the U.S., should actively support Iran’s nationwide freedom movement against its repressive theocracy.

On April 18, 1988, the U.S. Navy destroyed two Iranian oil platforms, sunk one frigate and a missile boat, crippled a second frigate, destroyed at least three armed speedboats, and drove off Iranian F-4 Phantom jets with missile fire.