CENTCOM Maintains Airstrikes as Iran Appoints New Hardline Security Chief

U.S. Central Command has released new footage documenting continued airstrikes against Iranian military assets. The operations, which the Trump administration describes as an effort to eliminate Iranian military power, follow a pattern of sustained pressure on Tehran's regional capabilities. While the strikes represent a continuation of existing policy rather than a fresh escalation, they coincide with a period of significant political transition within the Iranian government. In Tehran, the leadership has appointed Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr as the new secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, replacing Ali Larijani. Zolghadr, a known hardline figure, takes the role amid internal debates regarding Iran's nuclear posture following the death of Ayatollah Khamenei. Reports indicate that hardliners are increasingly advocating for the development of atomic weapons as a deterrent against U.S. actions. On the diplomatic front, Iran has signaled its intent to bolster ties with non-Western nations. Recent missile launches featured weapons inscribed with messages of gratitude toward India and other partners, suggesting an attempt to bypass Western isolation. Meanwhile, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) continues to warn civilians in Gulf nations to remain distant from U.S. military bases in anticipation of potential further hostilities.