North Korea has publicly stated that it “respects” Iran’s decision to appoint Mojtaba Khamenei as the country’s new Supreme Leader , signaling political support for Tehran during a time of escalating war in the Middle East. The statement came from a spokesperson for North Korea’s foreign ministry and was reported by state media. Pyongyang emphasized that it recognizes the Iranian people’s right to choose their own leadership , while strongly condemning the ongoing military strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran. Why Iran Has a New Supreme Leader Iran appointed Mojtaba Khamenei as its third supreme leader after the death of his father, Ali Khamenei , who was killed during the early stages of the current war in late February 2026. The country’s powerful clerical body, the Assembly of Experts , selected Mojtaba Khamenei in early March to lead the Islamic Republic. Before the appointment, Iran briefly operated under an interim leadership council while the succes...

Trump Says No Deal With Iran Until “Unconditional Surrender” U.S. President Donald Trump has declared that the United States will not negotiate a peace agreement with Iran unless the country agrees to what he called “unconditional surrender.” The statement marks one of the strongest positions taken by the administration since the current conflict with Iran escalated. In a public statement and social media post, Trump said that there would be no deal or negotiations with Iran unless Tehran fully capitulates . He also indicated that any future cooperation or reconstruction assistance for Iran would only occur after surrender and a change in leadership. Trump suggested that once Iran agrees to such terms, the United States and its allies could help rebuild the country’s economy and infrastructure. The demand echoes language historically used in major wars, signaling that the administration views the conflict as a decisive military confrontation rather than a negotiation-driven cris...

  Lawmakers in the United States House of Representatives are preparing to vote on a measure that would limit the president’s authority to expand military action against Iran without explicit approval from Congress. The proposal comes amid escalating tensions in the Middle East and growing concern among some lawmakers about the scope of executive war powers. The vote reflects a broader debate in Washington about how military decisions should be authorized, especially during rapidly evolving international conflicts. What the Measure Seeks to Do The proposed resolution aims to reinforce Congress’s constitutional role in decisions related to war. If passed, the measure would: Require congressional approval before expanding military operations against Iran. Limit funding for certain military actions unless Congress authorizes them. Reassert legislative oversight over long-term military engagements. Supporters say the measure is intended to ensure that major military dec...

  A dramatic escalation in the Middle East conflict occurred after a U.S. Navy submarine sank an Iranian warship , prompting strong warnings from Iran that the region could face “widespread destruction” if the conflict continues. The attack marks one of the most serious naval confrontations in the growing conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. According to U.S. defense officials: A U.S. submarine fired a torpedo at an Iranian warship operating in the Indian Ocean. The ship struck was the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena , a modern vessel in Iran’s navy. The warship sank in waters near Sri Lanka , outside territorial boundaries. Sri Lankan authorities launched rescue operations after receiving a distress call from the vessel. Reports indicate: 32 crew members were rescued Several bodies were recovered Dozens of crew members were initially missing. The attack is the first time since World War II that a U.S. submarine has sunk an enemy warship wit...

  t developments have seen Donald Trump make a public statement rejecting further diplomatic negotiations with Iran , even as Iran has reportedly expressed interest in talks amid escalating conflict. Trump made the remarks in a Truth Social post , asserting that it was now “too late” for Iran to pursue talks after a series of U.S. and Israeli strikes that have damaged key Iranian military capabilities. 🔥 What Trump Said Trump wrote that Iranian leaders want to negotiate, but declared that the moment for discussions has passed: “Their air defense, Air Force, Navy, and leadership is gone. They want to talk. I said ‘Too Late!’” This marks a clear shift from earlier indications that some level of diplomatic engagement might be possible, and underscores the increasingly hardened U.S. stance amid the intense military campaign. Escalating Military Conflict The remarks come as U.S. and Israel continue strikes in Iran that have targeted strategic military infrastructure — includ...

  The United States has authorized certain government personnel and family members to depart Israel, signaling heightened concern over a potential Iranian strike amid rising regional tensions. According to U.S. officials, the move is precautionary but reflects increasing instability in the region. Diplomatic staff have been advised that voluntary departure options are available, and Americans in the region are being urged to closely monitor official travel advisories. Why the U.S. Is Taking Precautions Tensions between Israel and Iran have escalated in recent weeks due to: Ongoing regional military operations Alleged strikes on Iranian-linked targets Heightened rhetoric from both governments Intelligence assessments warning of potential retaliation The U.S. State Department’s decision to allow staff departures typically indicates elevated threat levels but does not necessarily confirm an imminent attack. Officials emphasized that the safety of U.S. personnel rema...

  In his 2026 State of the Union address, President Donald Trump made sweeping claims about job growth, gas prices, and ending wars. Multiple fact-checking outlets say several of the headline claims were misleading, overstated, or lacking key context, especially where he cited specific numbers or broad “wins.”   Below is a breakdown of the most-discussed claims and what independent fact-checkers found. 1)  Jobs and the Economy Trump’s claim (theme) Trump portrayed the U.S. economy as experiencing historic momentum and highlighted job gains and investment figures.  Fact-checkers found Job-growth framing: Fact-checkers said the speech used selective timeframes and comparisons that made results appear stronger than underlying data trends.   Investment figures: One major fact-check summary noted Trump’s stated “investment” totals included pledges and announcements that may not translate into actual deployed capital, and therefore can be mislead...