The Amargi

Political Prisoners in Iran Face Escalating Risks Amid Attacks Over the past three days, ongoing military attacks by the United States and Israel on Iran have led to a rapidly deteriorating situation for political prisoners and detainees across the country. …

U.S.-Israeli strikes have increased risks for political prisoners in Iran, with blasts near Evin and Fashafouyeh, shortages, force by guards, and secret transfers. Rights groups warn of executions and enforced disappearances.
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Kurdish–Arab Internationalism and Solidarity in the Archives In January 2026, Syria edged toward heightened conflict between Kurdish-led forces and the interim authorities in Damascus. A ceasefire on 29 January halted the immediate escalation and paved the way…

Kurdish–Arab Internationalism and Solidarity in the Archives
www.theamargi.com/posts/kurdis...

In Their First Statement, Iranian Kurdish Alliance Signals Readiness for Regime Change As war intensifies across Iran following the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several senior commanders, an alliance of major Kurdish political parties in Iran declared that the…

In Their First Statement, Iranian Kurdish Alliance Signals Readiness for Regime Change
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Damascus Issues General Amnesty, But Justice Is Still Missing in Syria On February 18, Syrian Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa issued a general amnesty decree, expected to benefit half a million incarcerated Syrians. Damascus’ Justice Ministry described the move as…

Damascus Issues General Amnesty, But Justice Is Still Missing in Syria
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Nuri al-Maliki: The US Foreign Policy, from Regime Change to Leadership Change It is not an exaggeration to say that few individuals have been as pivotal to American-Iraqi relations post-Saddam Hussein as former Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki. A number of consecutive…

Nuri al-Maliki: The US Foreign Policy, from Regime Change to Leadership Change
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“Hezbollah Made a Fatal Mistake”: Lebanese Professor Says Group Gave Israel Pretext as Fighting Resumes Hezbollah’s decision to open fire on Israel in retaliation for the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader has plunged Lebanon back into war, prompting devastating Israeli airstrikes and civilian…

“Hezbollah Made a Fatal Mistake”: Lebanese Professor Says Group Gave Israel Pretext as Fighting Resumes
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Civilian Casualties Surge Across Iran, Israel and Gulf States Civilian casualties have risen sharply across the Middle East over the past three days, as escalating hostilities involving Israel, the United States and Iran spread across multiple countries,…

Civilian Casualties Surge Across Iran, Israel, and Gulf States
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[Analysis] After Khamenei: Iran’s Wartime Succession Crisis Iran has entered its most dangerous succession crisis since 1989, activating a temporary leadership council after the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in U.S.-Israeli strikes.

After Khamenei: Iran’s Wartime Succession Crisis
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Ali Khamenei: A Political Biography Ali Khamenei (1939–2026) rose from a relatively obscure cleric to become the most powerful figure in Iran for over three decades. Below, we take a brief look at his inconspicuous beginnings and his…

Ali Khamenei (1939–2026) rose from a relatively obscure cleric to become the most powerful figure in Iran for over three decades. Below, we take a brief look at his inconspicuous beginnings and his meteoric rise within Iran's religious-political ranks.
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Airstrikes Reported Across Western Iran (Kurdistan) as War Expands, Civilian Casualties Alleged Heavy airstrikes were reported across Iran’s western provinces of Kurdistan and Kermanshah on Sunday and Monday, with rights monitors and local sources alleging civilian casualties alongside strikes…

Airstrikes Reported Across Western Iran (Kurdistan) as War Expands, Civilian Casualties Alleged
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Risks and advantages of regime change in Iran The US‑Israel strikes that killed Supreme Leader Khamenei have thrust Iran toward a crossroads. The attacks may weaken the regime, but whether they bring lasting democracy or years of chaos will…

After U.S.-Israeli strikes killed Ali Khamenei, Iran sits at a regime-change crossroads. Seevan Saeed warns that removing him won’t undo powerful institutions like the IRGC, and without an inclusive transition plan, collapse could lead to prolonged chaos.
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As Iran’s Unrest Grows, Reza Pahlavi’s Leadership Claim Faces a Test of Legitimacy With Iran gripped by recurring unrest, Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of the last shah, has stepped forward as a would-be leader of a political transition. Citing visible public support, he has…

As Iran’s unrest deepens, Reza Pahlavi is pitching himself as a transition leader. Rojin Mukriyan argues that legitimacy must be negotiated through inclusive rules, especially in a plural Iran where decentralisation remains contested.
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In this episode of The Amargi Mosaic, host Elif Sarican speaks with historian Dr Nicholas Matheou about two expansionist projects unfolding simultaneously in the Middle East: Turkey's neo-Ottoman… Turkey's Neo-Ottomanism vs. Greater Israel with Dr Nicholas Matheou

In The Amargi Mosaic, Elif Sarican speaks with Dr Nicholas Matheou on Turkey’s neo-Ottoman ambitions, Israel’s Greater Israel vision, and what these projects mean for Kurds, Palestinians, Armenians, Assyrians, and Yazidis.
Watch now: www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKib...

Erbil Suffers Second Night of Iranian Drone Attacks as Iran War Expands Erbil came under renewed drone attacks on Sunday as the war triggered by joint U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran began to spill into Iraq’s Kurdistan Region, with Iran-aligned Iraqi armed factions…

Second night of drone attacks hit Erbil as the Iran war spills into Kurdistan. A pro-Iran faction said it targeted the U.S. base near Erbil airport, as residents reported explosions and power cuts. ✍️ Renwar Najm
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EXPLAINER: Why the U.S. and Israel Just Struck Iran, and How a 47-Year Rivalry Became Open War U.S. and Israeli forces launched coordinated strikes on Iran today, marking the most direct joint assault on the Islamic Republic in decades. The attacks cap nearly half a century of escalating…

“Neither East nor West” became Iran’s doctrine after 1979. This explainer traces how hostage-taking, proxies, and nuclear brinkmanship led to 28 Feb 2026, when the US and Israel struck Iran under “Operation Epic Fury”. ✍️ Rojin Mukriyan
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Kurdish Leaders React to U.S.–Israeli Strikes That Killed Iran’s Supreme Leader The strike that killed Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has prompted swift reactions from Kurdish dignitaries and political parties across the region, with responses ranging from…

Kurdish leaders across Iraq and Turkey reacted after Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in a U.S.–Israeli airstrike, with messages ranging from condolences and restraint to warnings against escalation and foreign intervention.
theamargi.com/posts/kurdis...

Turkish Teacher Disciplined for “Praising Armenians” A high school teacher in Istanbul has been suspended and forced to accept a salary reduction after colleagues accused him making positive remarks about Armenians and Alevis during lessons. The move…

An Istanbul teacher, Guşeli, was disciplined after colleagues accused him of speaking positively about Armenians & Alevis, and bringing Agos & Evrensel to school. No threats or disruption were alleged. The case fuels a wider secularism debate. ✍️ Serap Güneş
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The Ghost of 1979: Old Fears, New Faces in Iran’s Power Struggle In the final days of the Pahlavi monarchy, when Prime Minister Shāpūr Bakhtiyār had already lost control of Tehran and preparations were underway for Ayatollah Khomeini’s return, the National…

Bakhtiyār once ordered to “crush” Kurdish activity as the monarchy fell. Ammar Goli argues the same security reflex is resurfacing as Iran’s opposition fractures, with Reza Pahlavi warning over “territorial integrity” after a new Kurdish coalition.
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China echoed the concern, calling for an end to military operations and stressing that Iran’s “national sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity must be respected.” Both nations join a growing chorus urging de-escalation amid regional tensions.

Russia has denounced the recent military strikes against Iran, with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov labeling them an “unprovoked armed attack” in a call with Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi. Moscow urged an immediate cessation of hostilities.

particularly Ali Larijani, who announced the council’s formation.

The council, comprising President Masoud Pezeshkian, Judiciary Chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, and senior cleric Ayatollah Alireza Arafi, will assume all supreme leader duties until the Assembly of Experts elects a permanent successor. Analysts note real power may lie with Khamenei’s inner circle

Following the reported death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in U.S.-Israeli airstrikes, Iran has established a three-person interim leadership council under Article 111 of its constitution.

Which Iranian Commanders Were Killed in the Strikes, Beyond the Supreme Leader? On the second day of joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran, which began on February 28, 2026, Iranian officials confirmed the deaths of several senior military and security commanders.  In recent years,…

Iran says strikes from 28 Feb 2026 killed senior figures beyond Khamenei, including IRGC chief Mohammad Pakpour, chief of staff Abdolrahim Mousavi, defence minister Amir Nasirzadeh, Ali Shamkhani, and security official Gholamreza Rezaeian. ✍️ Kawe Fatehi
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EXPLAINER: Why the U.S. and Israel Just Struck Iran, and How a 47-Year Rivalry Became Open War U.S. and Israeli forces launched coordinated strikes on Iran today, marking the most direct joint assault on the Islamic Republic in decades. The attacks cap nearly half a century of escalating…

Omani-mediated Geneva talks collapsed on 26 Feb, the US ultimatum expired, and strikes followed. The piece says the deadlock was zero enrichment plus missiles, set against proxy escalation since 7 Oct 2023, and Iran’s 60% enrichment.
www.theamargi.com/posts/what-t...

Kurdish–Arab Internationalism and Solidarity in the Archives In January 2026, Syria edged toward heightened conflict between Kurdish-led forces and the interim authorities in Damascus. A ceasefire on 29 January halted the immediate escalation and paved the way…

After January 2026, tensions in northern Syria revived fears of a Kurdish–Arab rupture. This piece returns to the archives of Kurdish and Palestinian solidarity in Syria and Lebanon (1980–83), to ask what internationalism can look like in practice. ✍️ Agit Karatas
www.theamargi.com/posts/kurdis...

Abandoned by Allies, Rojava’s Kurdish Experiment Confronts Power Politics and an Uncertain Future The January clashes in northern Syria between forces aligned with the Syrian Transitional Government (STG) in Damascus and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), together with Washington’s clear…

The decade-long military partnership with the SDF has expired.” That line captures the piece’s argument: Washington’s relationship with the Kurdish-led forces was always instrumental, and the January clashes show what happens when it ends. ✍️ Dara Salam
www.theamargi.com/posts/abando...

Earlier, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said he was not in a position to confirm or deny reports of the Iranian supreme leader’s status.

There has been no official or independent confirmation of Khamenei’s reported death, and Iranian state sources have not announced his passing.

Iranian officials did not confirm the claim. Speaking in a live interview with NBC News, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said, “As far as I know, he is still alive.”

In a video message, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said there were “growing indications” that Iran’s leader was no longer alive.