Iran's Deputy Information Minister stated this morning that the country's economy is damaged and in recession, with society in a state of shock and instability. He also indicated that any negotiations with the U.S. would require approval from the Supreme National Security Council and the Supreme Leader, a process that could take up to 40 days. Separately, a top military advisor to Khamenei, Yahya Rahim Safavi, declared yesterday that Iran is currently in a phase of war, not ceasefire, and warned that "another war is likely" but "after that war, there won't be another." These statements follow the Austrian Embassy in Tehran's announcement yesterday evening that all its consular services have been suspended until further notice due to prevailing conditions and "unbeaten obstacles," mirroring a similar closure by the German embassy. The Deputy Information Minister also commented on the situation in Lebanon, stating that comments regarding the region do not constitute interference in its affairs. In a separate development, former U.S. President Donald Trump, in an interview with Hannity, claimed to have ended five wars, though Hannity suggested the number was seven. Trump also clarified that he does not consider the Iran-Israel conflict "necessarily conclusive."
