Noah Mott

⭕️ FT: Pakistan's army chief is the unlikely broker of US-Iran talks but faces mounting doubts over his neutrality and ability to secure a deal 🔹Field Marshal Asim Munir, Pakistan's most powerful figure, has emerged as the surprise lead mediator between the US and Iran where he has been spending days in Tehran meeting not just political leaders but the Revolutionary Guards, while staying in constant phone contact with the White House, the Financial Times reports. 🔹Ali Vaez, an Iran specialist at the International Crisis Group think-tank, described his approach as “a whole-of-the-system approach to mediation”, personally engaging every major Iranian power centre to ensure no faction feels left out. Pakistani officials were so confident Iran would attend a second round of talks in Islamabad that authorities locked down swaths of the city and prepared signs celebrating an "Islamabad Peace Deal." Iran didn't show. 🔹Analysts and diplomats are increasingly questioning Pakistan's neutrality; they have signed a mutual defence agreement with Saudi Arabia, deepened financial ties with Trump's circle, and have avoided publicly criticising the naval blockade or pushing back on Israel's exclusion of Lebanon from the ceasefire.

🚨 BREAKING: THE IRANIAN GUARD JUST TOOK THE AYATOLLAH HOSTAGE 🚨 Generals are BLOCKING Peace Talks, holding their own negotiators HOSTAGE while the economy COLLAPSES 💥📉 “NO ONE’S CALLING THE SHOTS” … A COUP IS IN THE WORKS! 👀🔥 U.S. WARSHIPS STACKING THE REGION — ONE WRONG MOVE AND IT ALL IGNITES 🇺🇸🔥

🇮🇷 Iran’s Supreme Leader says country endured “three wars,” calls for unity and economic shift In a written message read on state television for the Persian New Year (Nowruz) today, March 20, 2026, Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei said Iran’s adversaries have miscalculated and failed to achieve their objectives, while praising the steadfastness of the Iranian people. He designated the new year as the “year of a resistance economy under national unity and national security.”  The message, issued via Telegram and read by a presenter as Khamenei remains out of public view, describes the past year as one in which Iran faced three distinct phases of war, while presenting public unity as central to resisting external aggression.  Key points from the statement: 🔸 “Three wars” framing: He described the past year as consisting of three phases: a June conflict with Israel and U.S. backing, a “January coup” attempt tied to unrest and proxy activity, and an ongoing war marked by assassinations of senior leadership. 🔸 “Failed” enemy expectations: He said the U.S. and Israel wrongly believed the killing of senior leaders, including his father Ali Khamenei, would trigger fear or destabilization. 🔸 Public and leadership mobilization: He praised both citizens and officials, including the president and senior figures, for appearing publicly and participating alongside the population, pointing to rallies and Quds Day as evidence of cohesion. 🔸 Economy as next front: Declaring the year’s slogan, he framed economic stability, infrastructure, and living conditions as a central front, saying officials are preparing an “expert” plan to address structural issues. 🔸 Direct engagement with public concerns: He said he has at times traveled anonymously, including by taxi, to hear complaints firsthand about economic and governance issues. 🔸 Media warning and unity push: He cautioned domestic media against emphasizing internal weaknesses, arguing it could aid hostile psychological operations, and called for stronger cohesion between the public and governing institutions. 🔸 Regional messaging: He denied Iran or its allies carried out recent attacks in Turkey and Oman, describing them as “false flag” operations. The address also marks the first Nowruz following the killing of Iran’s top leadership, combining mourning with calls to maintain daily life, while reinforcing a message of endurance and continued confrontation with Israel and the United States.