Morning coverage focused on US military operations against Houthi targets in Yemen, marked by the unprecedented friendly-fire downing of an American fighter jet. The incident complicated the narrative of US military superiority in the region.
Khamenei's address to religious eulogists became the day's central story, as he explicitly denied Iran's use of proxy forces - a significant shift in rhetoric following Assad's fall in Syria. His statement that "Iran doesn't need proxy forces" contrasted with previous years of regional policy.
Evening brought reports of a Russian citizen's death in Iran and new details about a senior IRGC commander's death by Assad regime forces in Syria. The White House expressed concern about a "weakened Iran" potentially pursuing nuclear weapons, while Syria announced plans to integrate armed groups into its central army - marking another step in the regional realignment that began with Damascus's power transition.
