Overview
- Ayatollah Ali Khamenei made his first public appearance since the June 13–25 conflict with Israel by attending a televised Ashura mourning ceremony on June 26.
- Reports indicate that during the war Khamenei operated from a bunker, shunning electronic communications and relaying orders through a trusted aide.
- Tehran has suspended cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency until guarantees are provided for the security of its nuclear facilities.
- State-aligned media in Iran has defamed IAEA chief Rafael Grossi as an Israeli spy following the agency’s critical report on the country’s nuclear activities.
- Preparations are under way for Oslo talks between Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and US envoy Steve Witkoff as both sides explore a return to diplomacy.