Middle East Crisis

Peace Talks
Rubio: Iran willing to discuss nuclear program

Iran is willing to discuss parts of its nuclear program that have not previously been subject to negotiation. This is what US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said during a Senate hearing, reports the AP.

However, it is not a guarantee that it will lead to an agreement that is acceptable to Congress, he adds.

According to reports from Iranian media, Iran has suspended all talks with the United States due to Israel's continued attacks in Lebanon. Rubio did not say in the hearing how the negotiations are going, but said that they have been made more difficult due to an unstable regime in Iran.

However, he said that an interim agreement with Iran could be reached today, tomorrow or next week, writes the New York Times.

Situation in Iran
Former Ayatollah's Funeral to Take Place in June

A funeral ceremony for Iran's former Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is now planned, the New York Times reports, citing Iranian media.

The Ayatollah was killed in the Israeli-American attacks on Iran on February 28. Traditionally in Islam, a funeral is to be held within a couple of days of death. In early March, however, Iranian officials announced that the ceremony had been postponed indefinitely, but will now be held in mid-June, the state news channel Irna reports.

Tehran's Deputy Mayor Mohammad Amin Tavakoli-Zadeh tells the state channel Irib that the funeral will include three days of ceremonies in several cities, including the capital, Qom, and the Ayatollah's hometown of Mashhad.

Economic Impact
Price hikes after Iran war hit vulnerable

After the war in Iran broke out, demand for food banks in the UK has increased drastically. According to the Independent, the country's leading charity Felix is ​​now warning that several businesses are struggling to survive.

The conflict has sent economic ripples around the world, and higher fuel and transport costs are increasing prices in local markets far beyond the Middle East.

Iran War
Iran hacked US military – spread propaganda

Iranian hackers appear to have hacked into a high-ranking US military officer's Instagram account and spread Iranian propaganda, CNN reports.

One of the videos shared is said to have urged US soldiers to "abandon the sinking ship", another is said to have used clips from "Game of Thrones" to push for the US war against Iran.

- Experiences like this are a good reminder that cybersecurity is not just an issue for organizations, it is something that affects us all in our everyday lives, says the affected officer according to Task and Purpose.