Nadia Massih is pleased to welcome Ali Vaez, Director of Iran Project & Senior Advisor at the International Crisis Group. While the US sees the outcome as a decisive military victory, Vaez argues that the more consequential story lies in the reconfiguration of power within Iran. From Tehran’s perspective, survival in the face of overwhelming force constitutes a form of victory. At the same time, this war has not left Iran unchanged. Power has tilted toward more hardline actors, particularly the Revolutionary Guard, reshaping the internal hierarchy of the Islamic Republic.

'Pakistani military calling the shots: Has connections with IRCG, very good relationship with Trump'
Nadia Massih is pleased to welcome Ali Vaez, Director of Iran Project & Senior Advisor at the International Crisis Group. While the US sees the outcome as a decisive military victory, Vaez argues that the more consequential story lies in the reconfiguration of power within Iran. From Tehran’s perspective, survival in the face of overwhelming force constitutes a form of victory. At the same time, this war has not left Iran unchanged. Power has tilted toward more hardline actors, particularly the Revolutionary Guard, reshaping the internal hierarchy of the Islamic Republic.
Related Stories

News live: Albanese outlines agreement to bring more fuel into Australia; $1m reward in NSW cold case
Follow updates live Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast Shadow defence minister ‘reluctant’ to listen to Iran over Lebanon’s inclusion in ceasefire deal James Paterson, the shadow minister for defence, said he is “reluctant” to listen to Iran on whether or not Lebanon was included in a ceasefire deal announced yesterday as Israel continues to bombard the country. On the one hand, the United States and Israel say that the ceasefire did not include Lebanon, and on the other hand, the Islamic Republic of Iran is saying that it did include Lebanon. I am personally reluctant to endorse claims made by a country which has sponsored terrorist attacks on Australian soil. Australians are seeing what is happening in a number of countries in the Middle East and responding with compassion. We recognise this is a time when Australians are also doing it tough and we appreciate how they are recognising the depth of the humanitarian crisis and responding. Continue reading...

Pioneering wildlife cameraman Doug Allan dies in Nepal
The cameraman and photographer won eight Emmy Awards for his work on acclaimed series like Blue Planet alongside Sir David Attenborough.

Nato chief says Trump ‘clearly disappointed’ by US allies’ refusal to join Iran war
Mark Rutte praises ‘very frank’ talks but declines to say if president discussed potential withdrawal from alliance Mark Rutte, the secretary general of Nato, has said Donald Trump was “clearly disappointed” that the US’s allies had refused to join its war against Iran, following a closed-door meeting in Washington on Wednesday. Speaking to CNN after his private meeting with the US president, Rutte declined to say directly whether Trump raised his threat to withdraw from the military alliance over the Iran war, but described the exchange as a “very frank, very open” discussion between “two good friends”. Continue reading...

Trump and former loyalist Marjorie Taylor Greene trade jabs as Maga split over Iran widens – US politics live
President calls Greene a ‘traitor’ as former US representative accuses him of flipping from ‘America First to America Last’ Success or surrender? Iran ceasefire exposes rift in Trump’s Maga movement Sign up for the Breaking News US email Pete Hegseth repeated Donald Trump’s social media comments that Iran will cease uranium enrichment – a condition that Tehran has previously refused to budge on. “Any material they should not have, will be removed right now,” Hegseth said. “The president has been clear from the beginning, there will be no Iranian nuclear weapons.” Continue reading...