Pan-African News Wire

Wednesday, April 01, 2026

Which US Tech and Arms Companies Did IRGC Declare 'Legitimate Targets’

Tuesday, 31 March 2026 11:37 PM

By Press TV Website Staff

The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) on Tuesday warned the United States and a group of major American technology and defense companies, declaring them “legitimate targets” in response to the war of aggression against the Iranian people.

In a statement, the IRGC denounced the US and the Israeli regime for carrying out indiscriminate attacks across the country that have led to the martyrdom of nearly 1,200 Iranians in recent weeks.

IRGC asserted that American information and communications technology (ICT) and artificial intelligence (AI) firms were the "primary element in designing and tracking terrorist targets."

"From now on, the main institutions involved in terrorist operations will be our legitimate targets," the Corps said in the statement.

It singled out 18 companies, including industry giants such as Cisco, Microsoft, Apple, Google, Meta, Intel, Nvidia, Tesla, and Boeing. The list also includes financial and weapons firms like JP Morgan, General Electric (GE), Palantier, Spire Solutions, G42, and Oracle, among others.

The IRGC advised employees of these companies to "immediately distance themselves from their workplaces to preserve their own lives," while also calling on residents living within a one-kilometer radius of these companies across the region to evacuate and go to safer places.

"Companies that actively participate in terrorist designs will face reciprocal action for every terrorist assassination," the statement noted.

IRGC set a deadline of 8:00 PM on Wednesday, April 1, Tehran time, warning that the listed companies "should expect the destruction of their respective units for every assassination in Iran."

We list the companies mentioned in the statement and their complicity in the American-Israeli war of aggression against the Islamic Republic of Iran that has killed nearly 2,000 people, most of them civilians, including women and children, since February 28.

Cisco

Cisco is a foundational US networking and cybersecurity company whose technology is integral to the global communications infrastructure.

It works extensively with the US Department of War (previously Department of Defense) and the US military-industrial complex, supplying critical routing, encryption, and surveillance systems used in military command-and-control networks, classified government communications, and signals intelligence (SIGINT) collection programs.

Through long-standing contracts with government agencies such as the National Security Agency (NSA) and the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA), Cisco is deeply embedded in the architecture of US military and intelligence operations.

Its technologies have also been integral to Pentagon-led initiatives on network-centric warfare and secure battlefield communications.

In the Israeli-occupied territories, Cisco maintains a major research and development center, one of its largest outside the United States.

The company collaborates closely with elite Israeli military technology units, including those within the Israeli military Intelligence Corps and the notorious Unit 8200, a hub for cyberwarfare and signals intelligence.

Cisco also partners with Israeli cyberwarfare accelerators, military contractors, and venture capital arms tied to the regime’s military-intel establishment, effectively bridging the technological capabilities of the American and Israeli military-industrial complexes.

HP (Hewlett-Packard)

Operating through its two successor entities, HP Inc. (personal systems and printing) and Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) (enterprise IT, cloud, networking, and cybersecurity), HP has a decades-long history as a foundational contractor for the US federal government, including the Department of War, the intelligence community, and the military-industrial complex.

HPE, in particular, is deeply embedded in the American military and intelligence infrastructure. Through its HPE Federal division, the company provides cloud computing, high-performance computing (HPC), data analytics, and enterprise IT systems to the Department of War, the National Security Agency (NSA), and other intelligence agencies.

HPE's supercomputing technologies power critical military applications, including nuclear weapons simulation, cryptographic analysis, signals intelligence (SIGINT) processing, and military weather forecasting.

The company is a key partner in the Pentagon's push for advanced computing capabilities, including edge computing for battlefield operations and artificial intelligence (AI) integration.

HPE's cybersecurity portfolio, anchored by its acquisition of BlueData and ArcSight, supplies security information and event management (SIEM) solutions to US military and intelligence agencies, enabling real-time threat detection and incident response across classified networks.

The company also provides secure networking infrastructure under the Defense Information Systems Agency's (DISA) programs, ensuring secure communications for U.S. forces globally.

Beyond direct contracts, HP entities participate in US government-industry initiatives focused on cybersecurity resilience, critical infrastructure protection, and advanced technology development, often in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).

HP also maintains a substantial and strategically significant presence in the occupied territories, with deep ties to the Israeli regime, military, and military-industrial base.

Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) operates a major research and development center in the occupied territories, one of its largest globally, employing hundreds of engineers, many of whom are veterans of Israeli military intelligence and technology units, including Unit 8200 (signals intelligence and cyber) and Unit 81 (military technology).

HPE provides enterprise IT, cloud infrastructure, cybersecurity solutions, and high-performance computing services to the Israeli military affairs ministry, the Israeli occupation forces, and other regime agencies. The company has been a long-standing partner in Israel's digital transformation efforts, supplying systems used in military command-and-control networks, secure communications, and military logistics.

Both HP entities have participated in military-tech accelerators and industry partnerships in the occupied territories, collaborating with Israeli military contractors and cybersecurity firms.

Through these engagements, HP's Israeli operations function as an integral part of the regime's high-tech military ecosystem, bridging American corporate infrastructure with Israeli military and intelligence capabilities.

Intel

Intel is one of the most deeply embedded technology companies in both the US and Israeli military-industrial complexes, contributing to their foreign wars of aggression.

As a primary supplier of microprocessors and advanced semiconductors to the US Department of War, Intel's chips are integral to virtually all US military systems, including aircraft, missiles, satellites, command-and-control networks, and nuclear command infrastructure.

Through its Foundry Services division, Intel is a key partner in the Pentagon's efforts to secure the domestic semiconductor supply chain and develop custom chips for military and intelligence applications, including in hostile missions. The company also works closely with US intelligence agencies on hardware-level security, encryption, and trusted computing

In the Israeli-occupied territories, Intel's presence is even more pronounced. The company operates its largest R&D and manufacturing site outside the US in the occupied territories, including a massive facility in Kiryat Gat.

Intel's Israeli operations are staffed heavily by veterans of the Israeli regime’s intelligence and technology units, particularly Unit 8200.

The company has deep ties to the Israeli military affairs ministry and collaborates on semiconductor development for military systems, including missile guidance, electronic warfare, and secure communications platforms.

Intel's acquisition of Moovit and Mobileye, both Israeli companies with military and intelligence applications, further expanded its integration into Israel's military-tech ecosystem.

Oracle

Oracle is also one of the most deeply embedded technology companies in the US military and intelligence ecosystem. Through its Oracle National Security Group (ONSG) and Oracle Cloud for Government and Defense programs, the company provides mission-critical database management, cloud infrastructure, enterprise software, and cybersecurity solutions to the Department of War, Pentagon, intelligence agencies, and federal civilian entities.

Oracle's database technologies form the backbone of countless US military and intelligence systems, including personnel management, logistics, weapons inventory, signals intelligence (SIGINT) data processing, and geospatial intelligence (GEOINT) platforms.

The company's software is used by the National Security Agency (NSA), Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), and all branches of the US military to manage vast datasets essential for intelligence analysis, targeting, and operational planning.

Oracle's cloud infrastructure, including its dedicated Oracle Cloud for US Defense and Intelligence, has been accredited for classified workloads, enabling the company to provide secure cloud computing environments for the Department of War and the intelligence community.

The company is a key participant in the Pentagon's Joint Warfighting Cloud Capability (JWCC) program, competing alongside other major cloud providers to deliver infrastructure for military operations globally.

Beyond software and cloud, Oracle has long-standing partnerships with US intelligence agencies on data analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning (ML) applications for intelligence gathering, threat detection, and predictive analysis.

Oracle also maintains a significant and strategically important presence in the occupied Palestinian territories with deep ties to the Israeli regime, military, and military-industrial base.

The company operates major research and development centers in the occupied territories, including facilities in Herzliya, Petah Tikva, and Haifa.

The company's technologies are used in military command-and-control systems, intelligence analysis platforms, logistics management, and secure communications infrastructure.

Oracle's cloud services have been increasingly adopted by Israeli military entities seeking to modernize their IT infrastructure. It participates in joint projects with Israeli military and intelligence entities, contributing to the development of advanced data analytics, AI-driven intelligence tools, and secure enterprise platforms.

Microsoft

Microsoft, a tech giant in its own right, is a central pillar of the US government and military digital infrastructure. Through its Azure cloud platform and classified versions such as Azure Government Secret and Top Secret, the company provides the Department of War, intelligence agencies, and federal entities with cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI) tools, and enterprise software.

The company is a key contractor for the Pentagon's Joint Warfighting Cloud Capability (JWCC) program, which underpins US military interventions and offensives globally.

Microsoft also supplies identity management, cybersecurity, and AI-enhanced surveillance technologies to agencies such as the NSA, CIA, and US Cyber Command, making its platforms integral to both offensive and defensive cyber operations.

In the occupied territories, Microsoft has deep institutional ties to the Israeli military sector. Its Israeli R&D center, one of the company's most significant innovation hubs, recruits extensively from Israeli military intelligence units, particularly Unit 8200 and Unit 81 (the technology unit of Military Intelligence).

Microsoft Israel actively partners with the Israeli military, the Israeli military affairs ministry, and arms contractors on projects involving cloud infrastructure, AI, and cybersecurity. These collaborations are often facilitated through the company's presence in Israel's military-tech ecosystem, including accelerators and partnerships with elite military alumni networks.

While Apple is primarily known as a consumer technology company, its hardware and software play a critical role in US government and military operations.

The company supplies devices – including iPhones, iPads, and Macs – to the Department of War, which has deployed Apple products widely under programs like the US Defense Information Systems Agency's (DISA) mobility initiatives.

Apple's iOS ecosystem is used by military personnel, intelligence officers, and federal law enforcement for secure communications and field operations. Additionally, Apple engages with US intelligence and law enforcement agencies on issues of device encryption, data access, and cybersecurity, positioning it within the broader framework of government-corporate cooperation on digital security and surveillance.

In the ccupied territories, Apple has established a significant R&D presence, operating development centers in Herzliya and Haifa. These centers are managed by veterans of Unit 8200 and Unit 9900 (which focuses on visual intelligence).

Apple's Israeli operations are also deeply integrated into the regime's high-tech military ecosystem, often serving as a landing point for military-trained technologists who maintain close ties with Israel's military-intelligence establishment.

Google

Google, through its parent company Alphabet, is a major technology partner to the US military and intelligence community.

The company's Google Cloud division has secured contracts with the Department of War, including the Joint Warfighting Cloud Capability (JWCC) program, providing cloud infrastructure, AI, and machine learning tools for military offensives abroad.

Google also collaborates with US intelligence agencies under classified agreements, offering data analytics, geospatial intelligence tools, and AI-driven surveillance technologies.

Its Project Maven, a controversial initiative that applied AI to drone strike targeting analysis, was developed in partnership with the Pentagon before being refolded into broader defense AI efforts. Despite widespread internal opposition and external criticism, Google remains a key contractor for US military and intelligence programs.

In the occupied territories, Google maintains extensive ties with the Israeli military establishment. The company operates major R&D centers in Haifa and Tel Aviv, which recruit from Israeli intelligence and cyber units.

Google has also been a key partner in Project Nimbus, a $1.2 billion cloud computing contract with the Israeli regime and its military, which provides AI, machine learning, and cloud infrastructure to the Israeli war ministry and the Israeli occupation army.

This agreement has placed Google at the center of Israeli military digital transformation, integrating its technologies directly into the country's military architecture.

Tuesday, March 31, 2026

IRGC Warns it Will Target US Tech Companies for Abetting Terror in Iran

Tuesday, 31 March 2026 3:28 PM

IRGC warns it will target US tech companies for abetting terror in Iran

The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has warned 18 major US companies, including tech giants, that their offices and properties in the region will come under attack as they have assisted US-Israeli terror operations inside Iran by providing espionage services.

The IRGC said in a Tuesday statement that these companies should expect Iran's reprisal attacks starting at 20:00 Iran time on April 1, adding that their offices in the region will be “annihilated.”

The list released by the IRGC included big tech names such as Apple, Google, Meta, and Microsoft, as well as major hardware suppliers like HP, Intel, IBM, and Cisco.

Other major brands included Tesla, Nvidia, Oracle, JP Morgan, and Boeing.

The IRGC described those companies as espionage entities associated with the warmongering government of the United States, saying their artificial intelligence (AI) and internet communication technology (ICT) services have been the main elements in designing terror operations and tracing assassination targets by the US and Israel inside Iran.

It stated that the US government and its Israeli allies had ignored Iran's repeated calls to stop terror operations in the country and had carried out a new targeted terror attack earlier on Tuesday, killing a number of Iranian citizens.

“In response to this terrorist operation, henceforth, the main institutions involved in terrorist activities will be considered legitimate targets,” the IRGC said.

“We advise employees of these institutions to immediately leave their workplaces to protect their lives. Residents within a one-kilometer radius of these terrorist companies across all countries in the region are also urged to evacuate and move to safe locations."

Dozens of senior Iranian political and military officials and their family members have been assassinated in the ongoing US-Israeli aggression against Iran that began in late February.

Iran has vowed to avenge the assassinations by targeting elements that have been influential in the attacks.

Sudan Bus Operators, Tax Office Agree to Halve Fare Hike to End Strike

30 March 2026

Sudan’s bus chamber and the taxation department agreed to reduce ticket price hikes on March 29, 2026

March 30, 2026 (KHARTOUM) – Sudan’s bus chamber and the taxation department reached an agreement on Sunday to reduce a recent ticket price hike from 30% to 15%, effectively ending a strike that disrupted national travel.Africans & Diaspora

The deal follows a protest by transport operators against rising taxes, which had left passengers stranded at the Argeen border crossing with Egypt before a temporary suspension of the strike allowed traffic to resume.

Ibrahim Mustafa, Secretary-General of the National Bus Chamber, told Sudan Tribune that the agreement with the Taxation Chamber includes adjusting the taxes imposed on the sector to reflect the lower fare increase.

Tax levies on the industry have fluctuated recently. Charges rose from 200,000 Sudanese pounds before Eid al-Fitr to 350,000 pounds, then spiked to 1.35 million pounds before being lowered to 850,000 pounds following operator pushback.

The agreement was finalized during a joint meeting involving the Taxation Chamber and the Sudanese Transport Chambers Union. The parties aimed to resolve chronic issues facing the transport sector while balancing revenue needs with the cost of living.Sudan travel guide

Mustafa said official directives to implement the new 15% tariff are expected within 24 to 48 hours. He described the compromise as satisfactory for the government, operators, and passengers alike.

The Transport Chambers Union had previously approved a distance-based price hike of 30% for buses and up to 40% for minibuses. These adjustments were attributed to a comprehensive review of operating costs amid economic shifts.

Authorities have also enforced specific fees for passengers returning to major hubs. Travellers to Khartoum are charged 34,000 pounds on top of their ticket price, while those heading to Atbara and Dongola pay 22,000 and 15,500 pounds, respectively.

Sudan’s transport sector remains under pressure from rising fuel prices and maintenance costs. Diesel has surged from 2,600 pounds per litre to an average of 5,018 pounds, while the price of a single tyre has nearly doubled to 2 million pounds.

Sudan’s Revolutionary Front Criticizes Return of Anti-corruption Committee

30 March 2026

SPLM-RDC National Central Council members pose on October 24, 2022

March 30, 2026 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-Revolutionary Democratic Front (SPLM-RDF) on Monday opposed the unilateral reactivation of a committee tasked with dismantling the former Sudanese regime, saying the move bypassed consensus within the “Somoud” coalition.

The group, led by Yasir Arman, said in a statement that the priority should remain on addressing the humanitarian crisis and protecting civilians rather than structural political manoeuvres.

The SPLM-RDF suspended its participation in most of the coalition’s bodies in July 2025, demanding reforms in the alliance headed by former Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok. It has called for broader decision-making and a focus on the ground-level crisis.

The movement’s leadership office said the announcement to restore the Empowerment Removal Committee (ERC) was not discussed within Somoud’s institutions. It claimed most coalition leaders only learned of the decision through the media.

“The decision to return the committee was not issued by the head of the Somoud coalition, nor was it presented to the coalition’s institutions,” the statement said. “This is a flaw among other issues that must be addressed.”

The committee, chaired by former Sovereign Council member Mohamed al-Faki Suleiman, recently decided to resume its activities four years after being dissolved following the October 2021 coup. It remains unclear how the body intends to enforce decisions during the current conflict.

While acknowledging that dismantling the former regime’s grip on state institutions remains a key issue, the SPLM-RDF argued that the war has changed national priorities. It stressed the focus must be on ending the conflict and neutralizing the “war structure.”

The movement added that designating the Islamic Movement as a terrorist organization would help end the war. The United States recently added the Islamic Movement and its armed wing, the Al-Bara bin Malik Battalion, to its list of global terrorists.

To alleviate the humanitarian crisis, the SPLM-RDF proposed several de-escalation measures. These include harmonizing secondary certificate exams to allow students in areas controlled by the Rapid Support Forces to participate.

The group also called for agreements between warring parties on the use of a single currency and a coordinated health sector mechanism. It urged the facilitation of travel documents and freedom of movement for the Hajj pilgrimage.

Other proposed measures include ending the siege on cities, ensuring the unhindered delivery of aid, and a mutual commitment to stop using drones against civilians and infrastructure.

The statement concluded by calling on the U.N. Security Council to adopt a binding resolution compelling both warring parties to implement these humanitarian mechanisms.

Sudan RSF Officer Kills Paediatrician in Nyala Home

30 March 2026

March 30, 2026 (NYALA) – The Preliminary Committee of the Sudan Doctors Trade Union announced on Monday the killing of a paediatrician from Nyala Teaching Hospital following an armed assault inside his residence.

The incident occurred amid a sharp deterioration in security in Nyala, the capital of South Darfur. The region has witnessed escalating violence and lawlessness since the conflict began, severely impacting humanitarian conditions and essential services, including healthcare.

In a statement today, the committee said Dr Mohamed Ahmed Ali al-Siddiq was killed late Sunday evening. The union described the attack as a “fatal assault” carried out by an officer belonging to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), accompanied by several personnel.

The committee mourned the deceased, offering condolences to his family and colleagues while praising his professional career and dedication to his patients. Medical sources told Sudan Tribune that the specific motives behind the killing remain unclear.

The Preliminary Committee of the Sudan Doctors Trade Union previously revealed that 600 medical personnel have been killed or injured since the war broke out in April 2023. This toll highlights the severe risks faced by healthcare workers operating in conflict zones across Sudan.

MSF Reports 3,300 Sexual Violence Victims in North and South Darfur

31 March 2026

MSF reports 3,300 sexual violence victims in North and South Darfur

March 31, 2026 (NYALA) – Medical charity MSF said on Tuesday it had treated 3,300 victims of sexual violence in Sudan’s North and South Darfur states over a period of less than two years.

Data and survivor testimony released by MSF indicated that Rapid Support Forces (RSF) fighters and allied militias are responsible for widespread and systemic sexual violence against women.

In a report titled “I have something to tell you: Surviving the sexual violence crisis in Darfur,” the group said 3,396 survivors sought treatment at MSF-supported facilities between January 2024 and November 2025.

Women and girls accounted for 97% of the victims treated. MSF emphasized that these figures represent only a small fraction of the true scale of the crisis, as many survivors cannot safely access care.

The report noted patterns of systematic abuse. In North Darfur, armed men were responsible for over 95% of cases, while in South Darfur, approximately 60% of assaults involved multiple perpetrators.

MSF based its findings on medical data, informed survivor testimonies, and interviews with 56 women leaders, midwives, researchers, and activists working in the region.

The report stated that MSF treated over 140 victims who fled to Tawila after the RSF seized El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, on Oct. 26, 2025.

About 94% of these victims were attacked by armed men. Many reported being assaulted on displacement routes, often by multiple perpetrators in front of their families. Non-Arab communities were deliberately targeted as a means of humiliation.

Between December 2025 and January 2026, the organization identified 732 victims in displacement camps around Tawila. Women reported attacks both during their journey and within the camps.

Survivors received psychological first aid and clinical referrals. At the Daba Naira camp in Tawila, 206 victims received consultations specifically related to rape.

Most victims reached care approximately three months after the assault. This timeline correlates with the period following the fall of El Fasher and the surge in violence during displacement.

The report highlighted that overcrowding, lack of basic security, and unsafe conditions—including distant water points and insecure latrines—have increased the vulnerability of women.

Tawila, controlled by the Sudan Liberation Movement led by Abdul Wahid el-Nur, has transformed from a remote area into a shelter for over 715,000 displaced people living in critical conditions.

MSF also collected testimonies from 150 victims in the weeks following the RSF takeover of Zamzam camp, located 12 kilometres southwest of El Fasher.

Women and girls reported being beaten and threatened with knives and guns. In some cases, victims suffered gunshot wounds or had their hair shaved with razors after being raped.

Survivors reported explicit threats from RSF fighters who told them they would never be safe and warned they would be harmed again if they fled to Tawila or elsewhere.

The RSF took control of Zamzam camp, which housed half a million people, on April 15, 2025, following a three-day ground assault and months of shelling and drone strikes.

The report noted that sexual violence is not limited to active combat zones. It extends to flight routes, agricultural fields, markets, and displacement camps.

In South Darfur, which has been away from the main front lines since late 2023, MSF said sexual violence remains a “malignant part of daily life.”

Between January 2024 and November 2025, MSF treated 2,334 victims in South Darfur, with numbers increasing steadily each month throughout the previous year.

The data showed 34% of victims were attacked while farming or on their way to fields, while 22% were assaulted while collecting firewood, water, or food.

Children are also among the survivors. In South Darfur, one in five survivors was under the age of 18, including 41 children under the age of five.

Women in South Darfur described feeling effectively imprisoned in their homes. Rape has become an unavoidable risk on roads and in markets surrounding displacement camps on the outskirts of Nyala.

Life in South Darfur, which has been under RSF control since October 2023, is defined by insecurity, impunity, and rising rates of killing, looting, and sexual violence.

Sudan Starts Trial of 77 Accused of Forming RSF-linked Local Government

30 March 2026

A Sudanese judge presides over the trial of security agents charged with the torture and murder of student Mahgoub al-Taj. on April 11, 2022

March 30, 2026 (KHARTOUM) – Sudan’s Public Prosecution announced on Monday the start of the trial of 77 individuals, including 65 being tried in absentia, accused of establishing a parallel administration in the Jebel Awlia locality south of Khartoum during its occupation by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

The RSF had previously formed “civilian administrations” in areas under its control, claiming these bodies were necessary to provide essential services and fill the governance vacuum created by the ongoing war.

The Public Prosecution stated that the trial commenced before the Kalakla General Criminal Court. The defendants are accused of collaborating with the “rebel forces” in their war against the state by forming a parallel local government while the RSF held the region.

Prosecutor Abdullah Babikir Abdullah delivered the opening statement, detailing how the suspects allegedly held various roles within the RSF-backed administration, including executive director and several other administrative and service-related posts.

The prosecution further alleged that the defendants provided logistical, financial, and food support to the RSF. They are also accused of managing RSF checkpoints used for detentions and searches within the locality.

Of the 77 accused, 12 are currently in custody while 65 remain at large.

The case dates back to the aftermath of the April 15, 2023, conflict, which led to the RSF seizing several areas, including Jebel Awlia, where they established civilian structures to manage local affairs.

Charges against the defendants include undermining the constitutional system, inciting war against the state, and crimes related to international humanitarian law and anti-terrorism legislation. These charges carry a maximum penalty of death. The prosecution has called on the court to impose the harshest possible sentences due to the severity of the acts and their impact on national stability.

Official From RSF-backed Coalition Killed in Nyala Airstrikes

31 March 2026

Osama Hassan, a member of the SFC leadership body, was killed during the aerial bombardment.

March 31, 2026 (NYALA) – A senior member of the Sudan Founding Coalition (SFC), a political body dominated by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), was killed on Tuesday during airstrikes targeting various locations in Nyala, South Darfur.

The RSF and its allies have established Nyala as the capital of a parallel government led by Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, with Mohamed Hassan el-Taishi serving as prime minister.

Local sources told Sudan Tribune that Osama Hassan, a member of the SFC leadership body, was killed during the aerial bombardment.

Witnesses reported that drones, believed to belong to the Sudanese army, attacked the city for a second consecutive day. The strikes hit the Cinema neighborhood, areas near the Specialized Hospital, Khartoum Belail, and a Starlink internet cafe.

The attack on the internet cafe reportedly resulted in several injuries.

Hassan was a prominent young figure in the SFC and was heavily involved in Darfur community reconciliation efforts and mediating between local groups.

Last week, Hassan visited Central Darfur for meetings with pro-RSF political forces and community leaders.

The raids come amid conflicting reports of an agreement between the army and RSF to avoid targeting airports in Khartoum and Nyala. An advisor to the Sovereign Council head has denied such an agreement exists.

The RSF and its allies have established Nyala as the capital of a parallel government led by Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, with Mohamed Hassan el-Taishi serving as prime minister.

Local sources told Sudan Tribune that Osama Hassan, a member of the SFC leadership body, was killed during the aerial bombardment.

The attack on the internet cafe reportedly resulted in several injuries.

Hassan was a prominent young figure in the SFC and was heavily involved in Darfur community reconciliation efforts and mediating between local groups.

Last week, Hassan visited Central Darfur for meetings with pro-RSF political forces and community leaders.

A Hearing on Extending Zimbabwe President’s Term Erupts in Chaos

By Farai Mutsaka

1:40 PM EDT, March 31, 2026

HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) — A parliamentary public hearing on proposed constitutional amendments that could extend the term of Zimbabwe’s 83-year-old president descended into chaos on Tuesday, underscoring rising tensions over the contentious changes.

The situation at a sports complex in the capital, Harare, turned violent when prominent human rights lawyer Doug Coltart was attacked, leaving him bruised. His cellphone was taken and his glasses were broken. The unrest came amid a broader crackdown on critics of the proposed changes.

People shouting support for the presidential term extension shoved and slapped Coltart as he tried to exit the complex. He was one of the critics walking out in protest over the intimidation characterizing the meeting.

The amendments would allow President Emmerson Mnangagwa, a former guerrilla fighter, to remain in power for two more years beyond his current term, which expires in 2028. They would also shift the election of the president from a popular vote to Parliament and extend the terms of both the president and lawmakers from five to seven years.

The hearings, taking place nationwide, are a mandatory step before lawmakers vote on the bill, though the public input isn’t binding on Parliament.

At several hearings that began across the country on Monday, critics of the amendments were drowned out by boos, heckling and intimidation, or denied the chance to speak, said Tendai Biti, leader of the Constitutional Defenders Forum, a group campaigning against the proposals.

Biti, a former finance minister, was released on bail last week after being detained for allegedly holding an unsanctioned meeting opposing the amendments.

Earlier this month, another opposition figure was hospitalized after being beaten by unidentified men that he said were police officers, following a meeting on the proposed changes. Police denied involvement, saying the gathering had been banned.

Authorities have rejected accusations of suppressing dissent, saying the reforms are being pursued within the law. Mnangagwa has said that he will step down at the end of his second term in 2028, but he hasn’t publicly opposed efforts by his governing ZANU-PF party to extend it.

Mnangagwa came to power after a popular 2017 military coup ousted Zimbabwe’s longtime leader, the late Robert Mugabe. Mnangagwa later won disputed elections in 2018 and 2023, both of which were criticized by international rights groups over alleged crackdowns on opposition candidates and supporters.

Critics argue that any move to extend presidential terms requires approval through a national referendum.

Africa's Largest Gold Producer Locks Out Foreign-owned Firms from Gold Fields’ Damang Mine Sale

Solomon Ekanem

31 March 2026 03:24 PM

Ghana has restricted the sale of the Damang gold mine to locally owned firms, tightening state control over strategic resources as it prepares to take over the asset from Gold Fields.

Ghana has limited the sale of the Damang gold mine to companies fully owned by Ghanaian citizens, increasing state control over strategic resources.

The government did not renew Gold Fields' mining lease, prompting their accelerated exit and a shift to local ownership.

This move is part of a broader trend across Africa toward resource nationalism and greater domestic participation in the mining sector.

A bid process is underway, with local firms—such as one linked to billionaire Ibrahim Mahama—emerging as frontrunners.

Kenya’s government has paid $30 million to CAF, securing its spot as co-host of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations alongside Uganda and Tanzania. Stadium upgrades and infrastructure projects are now underway to meet CAF standards.

Africa’s top gold producer is pushing to boost domestic participation in the sector after refusing to renew the mine’s lease, effectively ending Gold Fields’ long-running operations at Damang as per Bloomberg.

Gold Fields, which acquired interests in Damang in the 1990s, had already been considering an exit due to the mine’s ageing profile and declining reserves. The government’s decision accelerated that process, granting a 12-month extension to allow a “successful transition” to local ownership.

While major assets remain under multinationals like AngloGold Ashanti, Newmont Corporation, and Zijin Mining Group, governments across Africa are seeking a larger share of resource revenues.

In a March 24 notice, Lands Minister Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah said only firms “100% owned by Ghanaian citizens” can apply, effectively excluding foreign bidders.

The restriction narrows the field to domestic players, with a company linked to Ghanaian billionaire Ibrahim Mahama, Engineers & Planners, now seen as a leading contender, underscoring Accra’s shift toward greater local control of high-value extractive assets.

In an earlier report, Reuters named shortlisted bidders as Engineers and Planners Company Limited, BCM International, and consortium Vortex Resources.

Of the three shortlisted bidders, Engineers and Planners Company Limited and BCM International meet this requirement, while the Vortex Resources consortium likely includes foreign partners and may be disqualified.

Rising push for local control

While major assets remain under multinationals, governments across Africa are seeking a larger share of resource revenues.

For Ghana, the Damang decision reflects a broader shift toward resource nationalism, where governments seek greater control and domestic benefit from mining operations.

Across Africa, similar policies are gaining traction as countries look to capture more value from their mineral wealth amid rising global demand for commodities.

From increased state participation to tighter licensing regimes, governments are recalibrating agreements with multinational firms. The aim is to boost local ownership, create jobs, and ensure that mining revenues are retained within national economies rather than flowing abroad.

However, such policies also raise concerns among investors about regulatory uncertainty and the potential impact on foreign direct investment. Companies may become more cautious about committing capital if lease renewals and ownership structures are subject to sudden changes.

In Ghana’s case, the Damang transition could become a test of how effectively local ownership models can be implemented without disrupting production or deterring future investment.

As African nations continue to assert greater control over their resources, the balance between national interest and investor confidence remains a defining challenge.

A South African Politician Goes Snorkeling in a Giant Pothole to Highlight City Management Failures

Johannesburg mayoral candidate Helen Zille takes a swim in a pool in a road created by a water leak in Johannesburg, South Africa, Saturday, March 28, 2026. (Jacques Nelles/Democratic Alliance via AP)

9:29 AM EDT, March 31, 2026

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — A 75-year-old woman running for mayor of South Africa’s biggest city went snorkeling in a large, water-filled trench in a suburban road in a stunt to draw attention to what she describes as years of mismanagement by the city’s authorities.

Helen Zille, a well-known South African politician, wore a wetsuit, a mask and snorkel, and a pink-and-white swimming cap as she doggy-paddled through the pool of muddy brown water in an upscale Johannesburg suburb. The pool has been there for about three years because a burst water pipe hadn’t been properly fixed despite repeated attempts, she said.

Zille posted a video of herself in the trench that was picked up and broadcast by television news channels. In it, she says sarcastically, “And here we are with a free and wonderful Saturday-afternoon snorkel.”

“I wonder if there are any fishes in here. Let me take a look,” she added before dipping part of her head under the water.

Johannesburg is considered Africa’s richest city by private wealth but has struggled with years of failed local government coalitions and the degradation of services. It is known as the “City of Gold” after being founded on huge gold deposits.

Residents in the city of around six million people often face water and electricity cuts and broken infrastructure like burst water pipes and damaged roads.

Zille, who was previously leader of South Africa’s second-biggest party and mayor of the city of Cape Town, said she’ll stand in local elections for mayor of Johannesburg.

The current mayor of Johannesburg said in a post on X on Tuesday that the pothole was the result of a pipe “that had repeatedly failed over the past three years” and it was fixed and the hole was filled in a day after Zille’s stunt on Saturday.

South Africa Hit by Record Diesel Price Hikes Despite Fuel Levy Cut

People queue to buy fuel at a petrol station, in Johannesburg, South Africa, Tuesday, March 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

By MOGOMOTSI MAGOME

5:09 PM EDT, March 31, 2026

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — South African motorists were on Tuesday headed to gas stations in large numbers in anticipation of record fuel hikes that will come into effect at midnight as the world continues to feel impacts of the Iran war that has affected global oil and fuel prices.

This is despite the country’s Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana on Tuesday announcing a 3 rand ($0.18) decrease per liter of fuel in an attempt to cushion against the price shock.

The 7.51 rand ($0.44) price increase for diesel, the highest on record, and the 3.06 rand ($0.18) for gasoline has already sent shock waves across the southern African nation.

By Tuesday evening, some gas stations in the east of Johannesburg were turning motorists away as they had run of both diesel and gasoline.

At some stations, only gasoline was available and those seeking diesel were turned away. Some lines were visibly building up at some of the stations that still had fuel.

Godongwana said on Tuesday that the ongoing conflict in the Middle East had increased risks to global energy markets and placed pressure on domestic fuel prices.

The decreased fuel levy for the month of April, before South Africa announced adjusted fuel prices again in March, would cost the government 6 billion rand (more than $351 million) in lost tax revenue.

The country has also been affected by operations and logistical delays in its fuel distribution as dozens of fuel stations ran dry and some fuel stations started rationing fuel purchases to customers, with some putting up restrictions of between 30 to 50 liters (8 to 13 gallons per car).

“Even after fuel levies were reduced, these are the largest increases in recent history and would be devastating for consumers,” said Theuns Du Buisson, an economic researcher at the Solidarity Research Institute.

He said that the fuel increases, especially the record increase for diesel, would have a devastating result on the cost of logistics and transportation, with knock-on effects on inflation in coming months.

With a majority of South Africans using public transport, mainly minibus taxis and buses, the impact is likely to be felt mostly by low-income households, Du Buisson said.

On Tuesday, the bus service in the capital, Pretoria, was disrupted, because of fuel shortages at the city’s bus depots, the municipality said.

___

Michelle Gumedecontributed to this report.

WFTU Statement on the Anniversary Palestinian Land Day

30 Mar 2026

by WFTU

The World Federation of Trade Unions, on the occasion of the 30th of March, observed as the Palestinian Land Day, honors the struggle of the Palestinian people and reaffirms its unwavering solidarity with their just cause.

The Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people, carried out with the political, military, and economic support of the USA, the EU, and their allies, has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths, massive destruction, and an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe.

Following the devastation of Gaza, Israel continues its violent operations in the West Bank, with daily killings, arrests, destruction of homes, and intensification of settlements. At the same time, the aggression has expanded beyond Palestine, engulfing the wider Middle East.

Since February 2026, the region has entered a new and extremely dangerous phase, following large-scale military operations conducted by the USA and Israel against Iran, triggering a full-scale war with grave consequences for all peoples in the region. The spread of the war across multiple countries have already caused widespread civilian casualties and destruction of vital infrastructure, further destabilized the Middle East and threatened global peace.

The escalation of war to Iran, alongside continued attacks in Lebanon and Syria, demonstrates the intensification of imperialist interventions and rivalries in the region. Entire populations are being subjected to bombings, displacement, economic collapse, and insecurity, while the risk of a generalized regional war grows.

The WFTU strongly denounces and condemns these actions and demands the immediate end of military operations and aggression in the region. The WFTU reiterates its firm and principled solidarity with the Palestinian people, as well as with all peoples of the region who are suffering aggression, occupation, and foreign intervention.

The consistent and principled support for the heroic Palestinian people remains a priority for the international class-oriented trade union movement. It is clear that the only path toward peace and stability in region is the immediate end of the Israeli occupation of all occupied Arab territories, the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, the guarantee of the right of return of Palestinian refugees, and the cessation of all foreign interventions and military aggressions in the region.

US-Israel Plan for Kurdish Incursion Into Iran Collapses

By Ben Aris in Berlin

A joint plan by the US and Israel to support a Kurdish ground incursion into Iran has collapsed following leaks and regional opposition, according to The Times of India, which reported on March 28 that the proposal had been under development for several years.

The plan envisaged tens of thousands of Kurdish fighters entering Iran from neighbouring Iraq, backed by US and Israeli air support, with the objective of stretching Iranian military forces and potentially triggering internal unrest. The proposal was presented “at the highest levels”, the report said, as part of a broader effort to destabilise the Iranian regime.

As IntelliNews reported, in the first week of the war Kurdish fighters, backed by the CIA, massed on the border with the intent to stretch Iran's security forces thin. The Kurdistan Freedom Party (PAK) said some of its forces had moved to areas near the Iranian border in Sulaymaniyah province and were on standby. However, the operation failed.

According to the report, the operation was abandoned after details were disclosed in the media before execution, allowing Iran to reposition forces and coordinate with Iraqi authorities to block potential entry routes. The exposure of the plan is said to have significantly reduced the feasibility of any rapid incursion.

Regional dynamics also contributed to the breakdown. Turkey opposed the initiative, reflecting its longstanding concerns over Kurdish military movements, while Gulf states expressed reservations about the potential for wider instability. Kurdish groups themselves reportedly hesitated amid doubts over the level of sustained ground support and lingering mistrust of US commitments.

Two separate launch windows were ultimately cancelled, the report said, with the plan now considered off the table. The collapse has also introduced friction between Washington and Jerusalem, according to the same account, although no official statements have been issued by either government.

The reported episode highlights the complexity of coordinating multinational operations involving non-state actors in a region marked by competing strategic interests and sensitivities over sovereignty.

The plan had aimed to “push toward Tehran, stretch regime forces, and ignite internal uprising”, according to The Times of India.

Monday, March 30, 2026

Shipping Industry Casts Doubt on Donald Trump’s ‘Present’ from Iran

Claim that 20 Pakistan-flagged ships will exit Strait of Hormuz questioned as country only has 13 big ocean-going vessels

Jamie John in London and Humza Jilani in Islamabad

Financial Times

US President Donald Trump spent the weekend championing his “present” from Iran, which he said would allow 20 Pakistan-flagged ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.

Ishaq Dar, Pakistan’s foreign minister, called the gesture “a harbinger of peace” as the war with Iran still rages, while Trump hailed the move as a sign that negotiations were “going very well”.

But shipping analysts on Monday called into question the US president’s claims, pointing out that the number of vessels seemed implausibly high, even after Trump suggested they had already “started” sailing “right up the middle of the Strait”.

There are only 13 large ocean-going Pakistan-flagged vessels in the world, according to Lloyd’s List Intelligence data, which defines these as vessels of over 10,000 deadweight tonnage. A supertanker of the kind oil traders are desperate to see start exiting the Gulf can be over 200,000 DWT.

Eight of those Pakistani-flagged vessels are oil tankers and five are bulk carriers, which carry dry cargo such as grain and coal. But none of those ships is currently trapped in the Middle East Gulf, while just three are in the Gulf of Oman on the other side of the Strait of Hormuz.

“What Trump is doing, it’s just a headline, clickbait,” said one ship broker. “It’s just nuts,” said another analyst who had spent the day trying to make sense of the president’s comments.

Just two Pakistan-flagged ships are known to have transited the Strait of Hormuz over the past fortnight: one tanker on March 15 and one bulk carrier on Saturday. A further Marshall Islands-flagged tanker chartered to the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation crossed on Saturday.

Anna Kelly, a spokesperson for the White House, defended Trump’s claims and said that so-called “experts” had been wrong about the president multiple times before, adding they had argued he “could not end the war between Israel and Hamas . . . and that the administration’s tariff policies would create an economic crisis”.

“The president has proven them wrong time and again, and he is confident that the Strait will be open very soon,” Kelly added.

Dar suggested at the weekend that two ships flagged to Pakistan could start transiting the Strait of Hormuz each day.

Some ships had begun to discuss reflagging to Pakistan, according to three diplomats and industry figures involved in the discussions. But even then, the 20-ship mark quoted by Trump was unlikely to be reached “any time soon”, said one of the people.

“People would flag to Pakistan, but where is the advantage after this voyage? [It’s] not a long-term strategy,” said one shipping executive. “The simpler explanation is that the president is talking BS.”

Shipping flows through the Strait of Hormuz have come to a near standstill since Iran began striking ships and port infrastructure across the Gulf. The cost of oil has soared, with the Brent crude benchmark hitting $116 a barrel on Monday, threatening a surge in inflation in the US as November’s midterm elections approach.

The ship broker pointed out that much of the flow through the strait in recent days had been “one way, going out”.

“For the oil market to normalise, you have to get ships in and out on a daily basis,” the broker added.

Tehran has over the past two weeks allowed a handful of ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz by taking an unusual route around Larak Island, off the coast of Iran.

Those vessels have included oil tankers and bulk carriers from India, Greece and Iran’s own oil fleet, as well as the Karachi, a Pakistan-flagged tanker.

Trapped seafarers suffer as Iran war rages

Yet they have largely been confined to vessels involved in trade with Iran or with close diplomatic links to the country. On Monday two container ships linked to Chinese state-owned group Cosco exited the waterway, marking the first time since the start of the war that a major container shipping line has made a crossing.

Iran’s speaker of parliament Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who Trump said on Sunday was the person who authorised the additional ships, has mocked the US president for allegedly attempting to manipulate the oil market.

“They’ve spammed so much fake news trying to push energy prices down that the market’s just numb now,” Ghalibaf wrote on X on Friday. “Keep going, nobody’s buying it anymore. The real prices will show up anyway.”

Expert Weighs in on Mental Toll of Record-Breaking Job Loss for Black Women

Dr. LaNail R. Plummer, CEO of Onyx Therapy Group, explains how job loss can trigger anxiety, depression, and trauma among Black women.

By Asheea Smith

March 28, 2026

Young African American woman feeling exhausted and depressed sitting in front of laptop.

After Black women disproportionately lost more than 300,000 jobs in 2025, the conversation around economic recovery can’t ignore what comes next: the quiet, growing toll on mental health. On top of the financial strain, many are navigating heightened stress, uncertainty, and the emotional weight of starting over both professionally and financially.

Few understand the emotional toll of job loss better than Black mental health powerhouse Dr. LaNail R. Plummer, founder of Onyx Therapy Group and author of “The Essential Guide for Counseling Black Women.” An educator and speaker, her work centers on documenting, advancing, and expanding culturally responsive care for marginalized communities—especially Black women. As economic instability continues, Dr. Plummer is assessing Black women for Acute Stress Disorder (ASD), a short-term mental health condition that can occur within a month of a traumatic event and is characterized by severe anxiety, flashbacks, and detachment, according to the Mayo Clinic.

“This is a trauma disorder that occurs before Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD),” Dr. Plummer told The Root. “If we can capture the experience of that Black woman and help her through therapy interventions within the first six months of her traumatic event, then we are likely to prevent PTSD,” she detailed.

As CEO of Onyx Therapy Group, Dr. Plummer is intentional about ensuring Black women’s mental health needs are met by any means necessary. For those navigating the loss of employer-based health benefits, she points to more accessible care options, including sliding-scale rates, flexible fees, and pro bono services. “That is my social action. To ensure that Black women don’t develop PTSD,” she urged.

Signs Depression May Be Looming

Upset depressed African American woman covering face with hands and crying, sad frustrated sitting on floor near bed at home, having problems.

So how do you know if you—or someone close to you—is dealing with depression after job loss? According to the clinical expert, while each condition presents differently, economic strain can act as a trigger for disorders like major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and PTSD. Still, the warning signs are often more noticeable than people think.

A Significant Change to Routine: “Let’s say they normally hang out with people and all of a sudden they don’t want to hang out anymore. If they had hobbies of which they found joy but don’t participate in those hobbies anymore. If they’re sleeping a lot more than they used to sleep, that’s a concern more so related to depression,” she warned.

“If they’re overeating or overdrinking, what’s happening is they need some sort of stimulation because they’re not working anymore. Their brain needs stimulation, but those things have a negative effect.”

Negative Fixations Lead to Anxiety: negative fixations can also signal that something deeper is at play. This can show up as repeatedly replaying a perceived injustice or setback to the point where it becomes difficult to think clearly. Over time, that mental loop can turn into intrusive, uncontrollable thoughts—fueling heightened anxiety and emotional distress.

“They become fixated on the injustice. When one becomes fixated on the injustice then we start to get concerned about anxiety,” Dr. Plummer said. “Also sleep patterns—what time of night are they waking up? Are they able to go back to sleep? This is especially important for women who lost their jobs during menopausal ages. Their bodies are naturally going through something and now the trauma of job loss is creating something different.”

Negative Self-Talk: the mental health CEO also warns to keep your ears open for negative self-talk, including harsh thoughts like “I’m never going back to work, I don’t trust people, or I’m not doing this anymore.” According to her, the initial upset can be normal, however anything longer than a couple weeks poses a red flag, as “emotions and thoughts are designed in our brains to be released.”

“We have always been told, as Black women, that education and our work would be our way out of difficulty,” she said. “So when we get the education, the jobs, and the titles—doing all the things right—and still feel penalized, it makes us question our entire history.”

Supporting Black Women in the Workplace

Young adult businesswoman with afro hairstyle feeling exhausted and overwhelmed while working overtime at her desk in a blue-lit modern office environment

Supporting Black women in the workplace goes beyond hiring—it requires intentional efforts to create environments where they feel seen, valued, protected and appreciated. In her book, “The Essential Guide for Counseling Black Women,” Dr. Plummer writes that Black women “create a legacy through work,” trading the traditional path of marriage and parenting to build legacy, strive for higher education and capital gain. Thus, job loss isn’t just a blow to our wallets, but also to our identity.

“After job loss and during periods of job insecurity, many Black women don’t feel safe at work. That’s why it’s so important to create psychologically safe environments. The four key components are inclusion, learning, contributing, and challenging. In each of these moments, there’s an opportunity to support and validate Black women,” Dr. Plummer told The Root.

According to the expert, protecting your mental health starts with the basics: engaging in hobbies, maintaining a routine, eating well, and taking breaks from endless social media scrolling. But she notes a bigger challenge—Black communities are “communal people who lean in on each other,” yet many corporate spaces fail to embrace this culture, creating stress for Black employees. Addressing this head on could be the change needed to resolve tension in the corporate world.

“You’re going to get more from a person if they feel good and comfortable with you, versus if they fear you. So there’s an opportunity for leaders to focus on their own biases,” the CEO said.

The Top Moments from This Year’s CPAC Conference in Texas

By MIKE CATALINI and THOMAS BEAUMONT

5:49 PM EDT, March 28, 2026

GRAPEVINE, Texas (AP) — For the first time in nearly a decade, President Donald Trump did not attend one of the biggest annual meetings of conservatives. But even in his absence, the Conservative Political Action Conference revolved around him.

There were disagreements over his war with Iran, pride over his immigration crackdown and lots of encouragement to avoid infighting as the Republican Party faces a difficult midterm election.

It was a contrast with last year’s gathering, when conservatives were riding high after Trump’s return to office and Elon Musk waved a chain saw to symbolize his new role leading the Department of Government Efficiency.

Here’s a look at some of the key moments.

‘Save that for the socialists’

From the conference’s opening moments, speaker after speaker appealed for unity.

“They want us divided,” warned Mercedes Schlapp, a senior fellow at CPAC whose husband, Matt, chairs the organization.

Evangelist Franklin Graham said the war with Iran represents a “critical time for our country.”

“We can discuss our differences, but do it with respect without attacking and tearing down the other person,” he said. “Save that for the socialists.”

Conservative influencer Benny Johnson said he was “well aware” of debates within the conservative movement but said Trump’s supporters should focus on his victories, such as tighter border security.

“I want to establish something very clearly here that your enemy is not the people that you have good-faith disagreements with inside your movement,” he said. “Your enemy is the Marxist, and they’re going to be running against us hard in the midterms and in 2028.

Warnings about war

It was clear, however, that the conservative movement was not on the same page about the war with Iran. While there was little criticism of Trump, some warned against deepening the conflict.

“A ground invasion of Iran will make our country poorer and less safe. It will mean higher gas prices, higher food prices, and I’m not sure we would end up killing more terrorists than we would create,” said former Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz.

Steve Bannon, a longtime Trump ally, said that “the decision in going forward is obviously the commander in chief’s,” but he suggested that the American people still need to be convinced.

“You have to be convinced that this is the right thing to do, particularly now that we’re on the eve of potentially the insertion of American combat troops,” he said. “Your sons, daughters, granddaughters, grandsons could be on Kharg Island or holding a beachhead down by the Strait of Hormuz. ”

Recent polling from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research shows that Trump risks frustrating his voters if gas prices continue rising as the country faces the kind of prolonged war in the Middle East that he promised to avoid.

‘Make Iran great again’

Exiled Iranian Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi told the gathering he was ready to lead a new Iranian government and would call on the country’s citizens to rise up when the “right moment arrives.”

Pahlavi is the son of the shah, a monarch deposed in 1979 when the Islamic theocracy came to power.

He hasn’t lived in Iran for five decades, but was interrupted several times by enthusiastic applause and cheers. He praised Trump for attacking Iran, and suggested that the country could one day be a U.S. ally.

“Can you imagine Iran going from death to America to God bless America?” he said.

“President Trump is making America great again,” Pahlavi said. “I intend to make Iran great again.”

Hundreds of Iranian Americans attended the conference and frequently had impromptu pro-war demonstrations, chanting “thank you, Trump!”

Applause for immigration crackdown

Trump’s handling of immigration got some of the biggest applause at the conference, and one of the special guests included recently retired Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino. He had led high-profile urban crackdowns but was pushed aside after two protesters were killed by federal agents in Minneapolis.

Bovino briefly came onstage during Benny Johnson’s speech. The actor Dean Cain also shook Bovino’s hand.

Tom Homan, Trump’s border czar who took over for Bovino in Minnesota, was also at the conference. He drew cheers when he said Trump wouldn’t walk away from his deportation campaign.

“I don’t care if people hate me,” he said.

Trump reshaping prosecutions, media

Top administration officials made clear Trump’s ambitions for reshaping the country.

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said more than 200 people who participated in investigations of the president were fired, retired or quit.

“President Trump, for the first time in modern history, has said, ‘I am the president,’” said Blanche, who previously worked as Trump’s defense attorney. “And if you work in the executive branch, you work for me.”

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr emphasized the president’s influence over the media, pointing to PBS and NPR being defunded and praising the departure of people like Stephen Colbert, whose show will end in May.

“President Trump is taking on the fake news media, and President Trump is winning,” he said.

Straw poll results

Every year, CPAC conducts a straw poll as an informal measure of conservatives’ sentiment.

Asked who they wanted as Republicans’ presidential nominee in 2028, Vice President JD Vance finished first with 53% support. Secretary of State Marco Rubio was second with 35%. No other potential candidate surpassed 2% support. (Trump, who has mused about serving a third term despite constitutional limits, was not listed as an option.)

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton got CPAC’s endorsement in the U.S. Senate runoff on May 26, when he’s facing incumbent Sen. John Cornyn.

CPAC goes global

As in previous years, CPAC leaned into its relationships overseas.

The conference featured international speakers like Polish President Karol Nawrocki and former British Prime Minister Liz Truss, who announced the first British CPAC in July.

Conservatives from Australia, Brazil Germany, Hungary and Japan also appeared on stage to say they’re developing or working to put on similar conferences in their nations.

___

Catalini reported from Morrisville, Pennsylvania.

Acting Defense Minister: Iran Exercising its Inalienable Right to Self-defense

Monday, 30 March 2026 1:35 AM

Iran’s Acting Minister of Defense Brigadier General Seyyed Majid Ibn Reza (right) and Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Güler

Iran’s Acting Minister of Defense Brigadier General Seyyed Majid Ibn Reza has held an important telephone conversation with Turkish Defense Minister Yaşar Güler amid the ongoing US-Israeli war of aggression against the Islamic Republic.

During the discussion on Sunday evening, General Reza firmly denounced the brutal military aggression against Iran as a clear violation of international law and fundamental standards of the international system.

He reiterated that Iran is exercising its legitimate and inalienable right to self-defense, responding decisively to the aggressors.

Turkish Defense Minister Yaşar Güler echoed Iran’s position, describing the attacks on Iran as a “serious violation of international law.”

Güler also expressed Turkey’s readiness to actively contribute to restoring security and stability in the region at the earliest possible time.

While the Islamic Republic continues its firm military response to enemy strikes on its territory and infrastructure, diplomatic efforts by regional powers like Turkey highlight the isolation of the aggressors.

The US and Israel failed to achieve their objectives and are increasingly facing diplomatic pushback from key regional states.

The Islamic Republic has repeatedly made clear that it will continue to defend its sovereignty and people with full strength until the aggression is halted and the perpetrators are held accountable.

Iranian armed forces have been carrying out retaliatory attacks on US military assets in regional countries and on targets in the occupied territories since Washington and Tel Aviv launched their illegal, unprovoked war against the Islamic Republic on February 28.

In the last 29 days, Iran has delivered a series of devastating strikes on enemy targets, effectively paralyzing the US and air defense systems across the region.

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