Iran has strongly denied reports claiming President Masoud Pezeshkian sought to resign amid tensions surrounding the growing influence of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, in Iran’s wartime decision-making. A report alleging that Pezeshkian offered his resignation to Mojtaba Khamenei after expressing frustration over the IRGC’s role in major state decisions has triggered a political storm both inside Iran and internationally. Tehran has now pushed back sharply, calling the claims “fabricated” and politically motivated. Iranian officials say President Pezeshkian continues to carry out his official responsibilities and remains fully committed to serving the Iranian people. The presidential office and IRGC-linked Tasnim News Agency have both rejected the resignation narrative, insisting there has been no interruption in government functioning. WATCH

Tensions in West Asia are back in sharp focus after Iran issued one of its strongest warnings yet, saying any fresh aggression against its territory will be met with a far more forceful response. In a blunt message aimed at its adversaries, Tehran said “the enemy should know” that the armed forces of the Islamic Republic stand fully prepared to respond to any hostile move. The warning comes as Donald Trump made fresh remarks on America’s role in the region, reflecting on the Iraq war and US involvement in Iran. Trump said the United States “shouldn’t have been there in the first place” while describing the Iraq invasion as a major mistake. He also defended recent US military action involving Iran, claiming the strikes prevented Tehran from having a nuclear weapon “right now”.