Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian Returns to Tehran After US Strikes

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian left Najaf, Iraq, where he had attended a multi‑day funeral for the late supreme leader, and returned to Tehran on Tuesday. His visit to Iraq was described as an effort to bolster ties with the neighboring country.

At the same time, the United States launched air strikes against Iranian air‑defence, radar and drone sites, describing the attacks as retaliation for Iranian assaults on three commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. Central Command said the strikes targeted surface‑to‑air missiles, cruise‑missile launchers and coastal‑defence systems.

The strikes occur amid a fragile cease‑fire between the two nations and have raised concerns about political instability in Iran and broader regional security. Market analysts noted the events could affect expectations about Pezeshkian’s tenure.