The Amargi

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
www.theamargi.com/posts/erbil-...

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
www.theamargi.com/posts/explai...

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
www.theamargi.com/posts/turkis...

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.
www.theamargi.com/posts/the-gh...

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
theamargi.com/posts/irania...

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.

Israeli official says Iran’s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, killed; no independent confirmation
An Israeli official said on Saturday that Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, had been killed in strikes carried out earlier in the day, according to Israeli media reports.

Syria’s Druze authority secure prisoner swap with Damascus, amid state restrictions Syrian transitional government (STG) forces and opposition Druze authorities in Suweyda completed a US-mediated prisoner swap on February 26, with 61 Druze civilians returned to their families under…

A US-mediated swap on 26 Feb saw 61 Druze civilians freed from Adra Prison and 25 STG-affiliated fighters released at al-Motouna near Suwayda, under Red Cross supervision. Reports still cite arrests, travel restrictions, and deportations. ✍️ Soha Ezzi
www.theamargi.com/posts/syrias...

Post Not Found Amargi is a news and analysis website that covers the Middle East and North Africa. We provide in-depth analysis and commentary on the region's politics, economy, and culture.

be absorbed into the Hashd, either individually or collectively, but threatened that if this does not occur by the 10th of March, an operation against their forces in Shingal will begin: tinyurl.com/yvz6uzpk

#SCOOP: DEEP-DIVE:
Iraq and Hashd al-Shaʿbi Threaten Attack on YBŞ after March 10 by Matthew Travis Barber

On Thursday, the 19th of Feb, in an undisclosed meeting in Mosul, the Hashd al Sha'bi figures and Iraqi government personnel informed the YBŞ that the door is open for their members to

The joint announcement follows rising regional tensions, stalled diplomatic efforts over Iran’s nuclear program, and increased military deployments in the Middle East.

The situation remains fluid, with concerns growing over the potential for broader regional escalation.

Within Israel, Netanyahu urged citizens to follow Home Front Command safety instructions, warning that the coming days could require resilience and preparedness amid the risk of retaliation.

He also directly addressed various ethnic communities inside Iran, including Persians, Kurds, Azerbaijanis, Baloch and Ahwazi Arabs, calling on them to “cast off the yoke of tyranny.”

including support for armed groups across the region.

Netanyahu said the military action is intended to remove the threat posed by Tehran’s nuclear and missile capabilities and could create what he described as conditions for political change inside Iran.

In a televised address, Netanyahu thanked US President Donald Trump for what he called “historic leadership” and said the operation aims to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. He accused Iran’s government of decades of hostility toward Israel and the United States,

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Saturday that Israel, alongside the United States, has launched a joint military operation targeting what he described as an “existential threat” posed by Iran’s leadership.

This marks one of the most significant escalations in US-Iran relations in years, with potential consequences for regional stability, global energy markets, and broader international security.

The situation is rapidly evolving.

Regional officials are preparing for possible retaliation, with security alerts raised in parts of the Middle East. US embassies have issued advisories to personnel, and airspace restrictions have been reported in multiple areas.

However, Western governments and international watchdogs have repeatedly expressed concern over uranium enrichment levels and missile development.