Former US hostage warns of rise in Iran executions during ceasefire

Conservative commentator Mark Levin called for the “liberation” of the Iranian people and the overthrow of Iran’s government, saying it should be achieved without deploying US ground troops.

"We must help liberate the Iranian people, and we can do it. We can do it without our troops on the ground. Without a forever war. We can do it. Train them. Arm them. Support them. And we will never have to worry about nuclear arms from the Iranian regime ever again," Levin posted on X. "Not only that, but the Middle East will also change for the better in ways that we cannot even imagine. The regime must be destroyed. The time is now."

The Trump administration allowed a sanctions waiver to lapse that previously permitted countries including India to buy Russian seaborne oil, Newsmax reported.

The waiver had temporarily allowed purchases of Russian oil stored on tankers despite broader sanctions, but no renewal notice was posted by the US Treasury Department after its expiration on Saturday.

The measure had been extended in recent months amid volatility in global energy markets linked to disruptions in key shipping routes. The Treasury officials have not yet commented on whether the waiver will be reinstated or replaced.

Iran launched a new maritime insurance platform for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, with reports saying the system offers digital insurance policies and allows payments in cryptocurrency, including Bitcoin.

The platform named “Hormuz Safe,” been introduced to provide insurance coverage for maritime cargo passing through the strategic waterway, IRGC affiliated Fars News reported on Saturday.

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A hardline Iranian influencer said on X that a regional country warned Tehran about the possibility of renewed conflict, amid rising tensions linked to US policy toward Iran and China.

"Following Trump’s relative failure in his trip to China - in which not even a single “landmark memorandum of cooperation” was signed - and Washington’s disappointment with China’s alignment in pressuring Iran to sign the agreement, the likelihood of resuming war is greater than ever; one of the regional countries has also conveyed a warning of renewed war to Tehran to stay out of Iran’s line of fire!" Ali Gholhaki posted on Saturday.

Iran’s national football team will travel to Turkey on Monday for a training camp and friendlies ahead of the 2026 World Cup, while also completing visa procedures before heading to the United States, head coach Amir Ghalenoei said.

Mehdi Taj, head of the Iranian Football Federation, told Iranian media that no visas have been issued so far for the team. Taj is expected to hold talks with FIFA President Gianni Infantino as Iranian officials seek assurances regarding the squad’s participation amid heightened regional tensions linked to the ongoing war.

After completing their preparations, Iran are expected to base themselves in Tucson, Arizona, for the tournament.

The team will open their World Cup group stage against New Zealand at SoFi Stadium near Los Angeles on June 15, before facing Belgium at the same venue and Egypt in Seattle.