Huge fires and thick black smoke covered parts of Tehran after Israeli strikes hit oil storage sites on Sunday.   The attacks targeted the Aghdasieh oil warehouse, the Shahran oil depot, and another facility in Karaj, according to Iranian authorities. Israel confirmed striking “fuel storage facilities in Tehran” linked to military infrastructure.   Residents said the smoke blocked sunlight across the city of more than 10 million people. Many switched on lights during the day to see through the fumes.   Some residents reported “black and oily” rain as the fires burned for hours.   Tehran governor Mohammad Sadegh Motamedian said fuel distribution in the capital has been “temporarily interrupted.”   Authorities warned that toxic fumes could cause breathing problems and urged people to stay indoors.

The ongoing war involving Iran, the US, and Israel is raising concern over the Gulf’s fragile water supply. Experts say desalination plants, which provide most drinking water in the region, could become targets.   About 60% of the world’s desalination plants are in the Gulf. Countries like the UAE, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia depend heavily on them for daily water needs.   Iran accused the US of damaging a desalination plant on Qeshm Island. The US and Israel denied the claim.   Experts warn the systems are vulnerable. “None of these assets are any more protected than municipal areas hit by missiles,” water analyst Ed Cullinane said.   Analysts say attacks on water systems could trigger a humanitarian crisis.

Iran has reaffirmed that its military cooperation with Russia will continue despite the ongoing conflict with the United States and Israel. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the partnership with Moscow is part of a long-standing strategic relationship and not a new development. He also defended Iran’s strikes on US targets in the Middle East, describing them as acts of self-defence against a war “imposed” by Washington and Tel Aviv. Meanwhile, the United States Central Command accused Tehran of endangering civilians by launching missile and drone attacks from densely populated areas, warning that such locations could become legitimate military targets under international law.

The United States is considering a limited ground operation in Iran to secure its stockpile of highly enriched uranium amid the ongoing war with Israel, according to media reports. Officials cited by NBC News and Axios said discussions within the administration of Donald Trump include deploying a small number of special forces for narrowly defined missions rather than launching a full-scale invasion. One proposal involves troops entering heavily fortified underground facilities to remove or neutralise about 450 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60 percent. US officials are also considering bringing in nuclear experts, possibly from the International Atomic Energy Agency, to dilute the material on site.

US President Donald Trump is considering a limited ground mission in Iran to secure its stockpile of highly enriched uranium, according to reports.   NBC News said discussions in Washington include sending a small number of US troops for specific tasks. The plan would not involve a large invasion.   Axios reported that the US and Israel have also discussed deploying special forces later in the war to secure the uranium stored in underground sites.   Secretary of State Marco Rubio hinted at such a move. “People are going to have to go and get it,” he said.   Trump said ground troops would be used only “for a very good reason.” (PC: India Today)

Iran’s powerful Assembly of Experts has chosen a new Supreme Leader following the killing of Ali Khamenei in joint US–Israeli strikes, though the name has not yet been officially announced. Several clerics confirmed that the vote had taken place and said the announcement would come soon. Attention has increasingly focused on Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei, the late leader’s son, who has long operated behind the scenes with strong ties to the powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Clerics hinted at his candidacy, noting that even US President Donald Trump had criticised him as an “unacceptable” choice. Analysts say selecting Mojtaba could signal continuity within Iran’s security-driven power structure amid the ongoing war with Israel. (PC: WANA/Reuters)

The United States and Israel have launched military operations against Iran aimed at curbing Tehran’s nuclear ambitions and weakening its leadership. Analysts say the broader objective, regime change after the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei remains far more difficult. Experts argue that air and naval strikes alone cannot dismantle Iran’s entrenched power structure, particularly the powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which commands a large force and controls key political and economic institutions. While Washington and Israel hope public unrest could challenge the regime, analysts say civilians lack the weapons and organisation to confront security forces. President Donald Trump has not ruled out deploying ground troops but says such a move would require a “very good reason.” (PC: AP)

Explosions were heard over Tel Aviv as fighting between the United States, Israel and Iran continued on Sunday.   Pope Leo XIV called for an immediate end to the bombing and urged all sides to return to dialogue.   Iran has continued missile and drone strikes across the Gulf. Kuwait said it intercepted three ballistic missiles, while Saudi Arabia said its air defences shot down three drones near Riyadh. Air strikes also hit several sites in Iran, including oil facilities in Tehran. The conflict has spread across the region with attacks reported in Israel, Lebanon and Gulf states. (PC: HT)

Iran’s powerful Assembly of Experts has chosen a new Supreme Leader to replace Ali Khamenei, but the name has not been announced.   Assembly member Mohammadmehdi Mirbaqeri said the panel has largely agreed on a candidate. However, “some obstacles” remain before the decision can be formally declared.   Reports say members disagree on how to finalise the announcement. Some want a full meeting. Others say security risks make that difficult during the ongoing war.   One cleric said the choice followed the late leader’s advice that Iran’s top leader should “be hated by the enemy”.   The Assembly of Experts is responsible for selecting Iran’s supreme leader.

Iran’s Assembly of Experts has agreed on a candidate to replace Ali Khamenei as the country’s next supreme leader, clerics said on Sunday. Officials said a consensus has been reached but warned that “some obstacles” remain before the appointment becomes final.   The development came as heavy smoke covered parts of Tehran after oil depots were struck in US-Israeli air raids. Residents reported loud explosions and large fires.   Videos showed flames spreading across streets after fuel spilled from damaged storage sites.   Israel’s military has also warned it could target any successor to Khamenei. The conflict has spread across the Gulf, with drone and missile attacks reported in several countries. (PC: BBC)