Trump orders ceasefire extended after Iran peace talks cancelled in Pakistan

Key Points:

• Majeed Gly, a Kurdish-American immigrant, argues that the Middle East war is part of a decades-long conflict and that many in the region seek stability, jobs, and a future free from extremist ideologies, highlighting progress in places like the UAE and Kurdistan despite opposition from Iran-backed groups.
• Retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg urges the U.S. to intensify military and economic pressure on Iran by seizing strategic locations like Kharg Island and crippling its energy sector, claiming Iran's fractured leadership presents an opportunity to "finish the job" rather than continue negotiations.
• Reports indicate that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has increased control over key state functions, blocking presidential appointments and enforcing a security cordon around Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, signaling a shift toward a more confrontational and militarized regime.
• Analysts warn that the IRGC's growing power could undermine diplomatic efforts with the U.S. and escalate military tensions in the region, as hardline commanders like Ahmad Vahidi demand direct control over critical government positions during wartime.
• Former President Donald Trump claims Iran is financially collapsing due to U.S. actions, emphasizing that Iran wants the Strait of Hormuz open to regain lost revenue, and accuses the regime of using the closure as a pretext to "save face" amid economic and military pressures.