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U.S. Officials Say Iran’s New Supreme Leader Gravely Wounded Amid Escalating Conflict

Protesters hold posters of Iran's late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and his son, Iran's new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, during a protest marking al-Quds Day (Jerusalem Day), after Friday prayers at Fatih Mosque in Istanbul. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has confirmed that Iran’s newly appointed Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei , was seriously wounded and likely disfigured during the opening phase of U.S. and Israeli military strikes. Speaking at a Pentagon briefing, Hegseth described Iran’s leadership as “desperate and hiding,” asserting that Khamenei has gone underground following injuries sustained in the attacks.  Reports from multiple outlets indicate that Khamenei has not appeared publicly since the conflict began, fueling speculation about the severity of his condition. Some accounts suggest he may have suffered catastrophic injuries, including the loss of a limb and a possible coma, after an airstrike that also killed members of his family.  U.S....

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US and Ukraine Draft Refined Peace Framework Amid War Tensions

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio talks to reporters after closed-door talks on a US plan to end the war, in Geneva, Switzerland. 

The United States and Ukraine have announced progress on a “refined peace plan” aimed at ending Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine. Following high-stakes talks in Geneva, officials from both nations confirmed that they had updated Washington’s earlier 28-point proposal, which Kyiv and its European allies had criticized as overly favorable to Moscow.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that any compromise must “strengthen, not weaken” Ukraine, rejecting concessions that would legitimize Russia’s territorial claims. The refined framework reportedly incorporates Ukraine’s own points, addressing concerns that the original draft resembled a Kremlin wish list.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the Geneva meetings as “highly productive”, noting that significant progress had been made, though details remain scarce. Washington has pressed Kyiv to endorse the plan quickly, raising pressure on Zelenskyy as Ukraine faces mounting battlefield and political challenges.

European allies have cautiously welcomed the talks but warned that major issues remain unresolved, particularly regarding NATO’s role and security guarantees for Ukraine. Meanwhile, Russia has been excluded from the discussions, leaving uncertainty over whether Moscow would accept any eventual agreement.

The push for a peace framework comes as Ukraine endures renewed Russian airstrikes, underscoring the urgency of negotiations. While optimism has grown in Washington, Kyiv insists that Russia must “pay fully” for its aggression, including through the use of frozen Russian assets.

The Geneva talks mark a pivotal moment in the war’s trajectory. Whether this refined plan can bridge the gap between Ukraine’s sovereignty demands and US diplomatic pressure remains to be seen. For now, the framework represents a fragile step toward ending Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War II.


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