The call by the deposed crown prince for Iranians to take to the streets has put the regime under pressure, with large contingents of police and Basij forces seen in city centers across the country. Reports claim that the death toll from the protests has risen to 45.
In interview with Le Figaro, reporter Emmanuel Razavi claims the ayatollahs have grown concerned over the "true revolution," and some senior officials have already begun laying the groundwork by exploring an exit route to France. President Massoud Pezeshkian is "seeing part of his entourage defect, making contact with foreign services."
As protests spread and intensify in city streets, Iran's leaders are under pressure and warn of “preparations for an attack on Iran.” From the Houthis to Hezbollah, Tehran is trying to rebuild lost deterrence through its proxies.
Israeli officials are rejecting a statement by the Lebanese army claiming that the “objectives of the first phase” have been achieved, stressing that at this stage Israel is acting in accordance with US guidelines.
Julie Menin, the granddaughter of Holocaust survivors, was elected as the New York City Council Speaker, becoming the first Jewish woman in the city’s history to hold the post. Her election comes just days after the new mayor, Zohran Mamdani, took office and positions her as a potential political and institutional counterweight.
