Middle East Crisis

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Analysis: Larijani made the Iranian system work

Ali Larijani, head of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, was perhaps more of a de facto leader of Iran than Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, according to analyses in The Telegraph and the New York Times.

Both analyses agree that the killing of Larijani is the hardest blow to the Iranian regime since the killing of the ayatollah.

"Larijani was the man who made the system work," writes Akhtar Makoii in The Telegraph.

Makoii wonders if there is anyone else in Iran who understands the system well enough to keep it together. He also emphasizes that without Larijani, there is no one who can credibly negotiate with the United States.

The NYT's David M Halbfinger writes that Larijani's death could be counterproductive for Israel, depending on who takes his place, and possibly strengthen more hardline regime leaders.

He also wonders if the fact that Israel is killing so many Iranian leaders is because it is the best way to achieve its war goals – or just because it can.

Oil market
Data: Iran allows allied ships to pass through Hormuz

Iran is selecting ships from certain allied countries to be allowed to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, shipping data shows according to AFP.

At least five ships have made their way out of the strait via Iranian waters on March 15 and 16, according to an analysis by the maritime intelligence firm Windward.

According to an analyst at the bank JP Morgan, the data suggests that Iran is controlling the ship's cargo and which country owns it, and then allowing free passage to ships that are not connected to the United States or its allies.

A large part of the crude oil that passed through the strait in this way was headed for Asia, especially China, the analyst says.

Gaza war
Israel stops emergency aid to Gaza from Unicef

Israel is to stop emergency aid deliveries from the UN children's fund Unicef, which comes from Egypt to Gaza via the Kerem Shalom border crossing. According to Israel, the reason is that an attempt to smuggle tobacco products has been discovered, reports Reuters.

The closure will remain in place until Unicef ​​submits the results of a full investigation, the Israeli agency Cogat, which coordinates humanitarian aid to Gaza, said.

The UN stressed that the Kerem Shalom crossing is the only one currently open for deliveries of emergency aid and other goods, and urged Israel to open more.

Russian invasion  Iran war
Report: Russia shares drone technology with Iran

Russia has expanded its military cooperation with Iran, and is sharing satellite images and drone technology with the country, according to sources to the Wall Street Journal.

These are said to be components of modified Shahed drones, which are intended to improve communication, navigation and target acquisition, according to the sources.

Russia has also shared experiences from the war against Ukraine, such as how many drones are needed for operations, and at what altitude they work best.

The Kremlin has not commented on the reports.