TERRAN – U.S.-Iran diplomacy is moving faster than many expected. Delegations from Washington and Tehran have been meeting in places like Oman and Switzerland, trading proposals on nuclear limits and steps to cool regional tensions.

At the same time, Iran’s leaders are tightening control at home. The Islamic Republic has stepped up threats toward Israel and several Gulf states, while security forces have carried out a sweeping crackdown on protesters.

Reports also claim the government brought in foreign fighters to help crush dissent. Intelligence chatter goes further, describing Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, now in his mid-80s, staying inside a hardened bunker and approving deadly orders from out of sight.

That split approach, softer talk abroad and force at home, is shaping every part of the story. Diplomacy may be moving, but it sits next to allegations of mass violence that are hard to ignore.

Diplomatic Momentum: A Narrow Opening in the Persian Gulf

The recent thaw didn’t appear out of nowhere. Backchannel messages, reportedly helped by Qatar, picked up last fall and led to a tentative pause in some proxy clashes in Yemen and Iraq. By January 2026, talks shifted to Geneva. U.S. negotiators, led by a veteran State Department official, met Iran’s foreign minister and his team.

The focus is straightforward. The United States wants limits on uranium enrichment above 60 percent purity. Iran wants sanctions relief, especially measures that hit oil exports. People close to the discussions describe guarded optimism. Iranian officials have also hinted they could talk about missile range limits if the United States removes secondary sanctions that also squeeze groups like Hezbollah.

Both sides have reasons to stay at the table. Washington is under pressure from energy-linked inflation at home, and more Iranian oil on the market could help prices. Tehran is short on cash after years of isolation, and the cost of its internal security campaign has been high. One U.S. official put it bluntly in an anonymous remark: the relationship isn’t friendly, it’s practical.

A leaked framework draft described a six-month IAEA monitoring period, with phased U.S. waivers tied to petrochemical sales. Even with gaps and disagreements, the pace has picked up. Weekly sessions are now on the calendar.

Regional reactions are mixed. Saudi Arabia has quietly shown support, reportedly worried that a cornered Iran could strike through proxies. Israel remains openly doubtful, with Prime Minister Netanyahu warning that a deal could mask long-term nuclear risk. Still, the fact that these talks are moving at all has shifted the mood across the Persian Gulf.

Regional Messaging: Threats Abroad, Pressure at Home

While diplomats meet in Europe, Iran’s state media keeps up a steady drumbeat of threats. In a February 1 broadcast, Supreme Leader Khamenei again condemned “Zionist aggressors” and promised resistance to any moves seen as threatening Iranian interests, including in Syria, where Iran-backed forces remain active.

This tougher tone has also lined up with unverified reports of IRGC naval drills in the Strait of Hormuz, including scenarios that look like blockade practice. Any disruption there could hit global oil prices fast.

The messaging plays well with hardliners and helps Tehran project strength. Iran’s foreign ministry has also sharpened claims against the UAE, accusing it of hosting “CIA black sites.” Meanwhile, proxy groups, including the Houthis in Yemen, have continued attacks such as drone strikes on Saudi targets, often framed as part of Tehran’s wider fight.

Analysts say the threat-focused narrative also serves as a distraction from turmoil inside Iran. Dr. Azadeh Moaveni, a Tehran-born scholar at Columbia University, has argued that this kind of language keeps the state’s story alive, with outside enemies blamed while internal abuses get pushed aside.

Iran Crackdown With Heavy Death Toll Claims

Away from the conference rooms, the situation inside Iran has turned brutal. Protests that began in late 2025 over fuel price hikes and mandatory hijab rules grew after the reported death of a young activist in custody. Since then, Iran’s security forces have responded with mass arrests and lethal force.

The government’s official numbers have remained far lower than those cited by rights groups. State tallies have put deaths at under 500, figures widely disputed by watchdogs.

Independent estimates, including reporting attributed to Amnesty International and Iran Human Rights, describe far higher numbers, including claims of more than 45,000 killed and around 20,000 missing. Some reports allege mass graves in remote areas, including parts of the Zagros Mountains, though details are difficult to verify from outside the country.

Accounts from activists and journalists describe a pattern of harsh tactics. Basij forces and plainclothes units have used tear gas and live fire, and there are allegations of heavier munitions being used in crowded areas. Women and girls have played a leading role in street protests, often tied to “Woman, Life, Freedom” chants, and they have also faced some of the worst reported abuse. Multiple sources have described sexual assault in detention as a weapon of fear.

Hospitals have struggled to cope. Reports describe raids on medical centers and seizures of supplies. Nobel Peace Prize laureate Shirin Ebadi, writing from exile, described the situation as an attempt to crush hope itself.

Economic pressure adds to the crisis. Internet shutdowns have become routine, cutting off families and blocking organizing. Inflation has surged, with some figures putting it near 150 percent. Protesters also face harsh legal charges, including “mohareb” (waging war on God), which can lead to executions, including public hangings.

Foreign Fighters Allegations

Another claim drawing attention is the reported use of foreign personnel in internal security operations. Intelligence reporting attributed to Mossad and MI6, along with satellite imagery cited in press accounts, has been used to support allegations that Iran brought in foreign actors to reinforce its crackdown.

The names most often mentioned include Venezuelan paramilitary figures and Syrian forces aligned with the Assad government. Reports say they entered through routes linked to Iraq and operated alongside the IRGC.

Payment claims have also circulated, including allegations that money moved through cryptocurrency and reached into the millions, based on reporting tied to U.S. Treasury leaks.

If true, the optics are hard to miss. Witnesses say foreign accents have been heard during raids. One widely shared video from Mashhad appeared to show a Spanish-speaking gunman shooting a teenage protester, fueling outrage online. Human Rights Watch’s Middle East director has described this approach as “outsourcing oppression,” and as a sign the state may no longer trust its own forces to carry out the harshest tasks.

These claims have also fed anger inside Iran, with some citizens denouncing what they call outside enforcers as a final insult during a national crisis.

Khamenei’s Reported Isolation

At the center of the story is Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Multiple reports describe him as increasingly isolated and in poor health, with claims that he has been staying in an underground complex beneath Lavizan, a heavily secured area of Tehran tied to the military.

Defectors have described the site as a nuclear-hardened bunker built during the 1980s, with command rooms linked to IRGC units. Some accounts call it “Eagle’s Nest.” These details remain difficult to confirm independently, though they continue to circulate in intelligence and opposition circles.

One of the most dramatic claims involves leaked audio, said to be smuggled out by someone with access to the leadership. Western linguists reportedly reviewed it. The recording is described as capturing Khamenei giving orders tied to the crackdown, including harsh language about protesters and religious purity.

Khamenei has not appeared publicly since November, according to these reports. State television has aired pre-recorded speeches, and some critics have accused the government of using heavy editing and visual effects to present him as stronger than he is.

The picture that emerges is of a leadership afraid of its own streets. Succession rumors have also grown louder. Khamenei’s son, Mojtaba, is often mentioned as a possible heir, while other reports suggest internal purges and distrust inside the Revolutionary Guard.

Pressure Builds as Talks Continue

As negotiations move forward, Iran’s internal violence has become the issue that shadows every headline. U.S. and European officials face a hard political test, as any sanctions relief can look like a reward for a government accused of mass killing. Supporters of diplomacy argue that a deal could reduce nuclear risk and curb regional escalation. Critics say it hands Tehran money and time while people die in the streets.

Inside Iran, protesters are still watching the Geneva meetings through spotty connections, satellite phones, and messages passed through trusted networks. Many activists say outside pressure matters, including targeted sanctions and legal action tied to human rights abuses. Without it, they fear the orders coming from Iran’s security leadership will continue with little restraint.

For now, the headlines show two tracks running at once, diplomatic talks on one side, reported bloodshed on the other. The gap between them keeps getting harder to explain away.

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NEW YORK – Neville Roy Singham is a US-born tech entrepreneur who sold his software firm, Thoughtworks, for close to $1 billion in 2017. Since then, he has moved to Shanghai and has become a key name in claims of foreign influence tied to US activism.

Critics and congressional investigators say he has sent millions of dollars to left-leaning groups in the United States, including groups involved in protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Investigators allege the funding supports goals aligned with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), and they point to public reporting that describes Singham attending CCP workshops focused on overseas messaging. Other reports say he has shared office space with organizations such as the Maku Group, a media company that has displayed banners praising Xi Jinping.

Singham has been active in political causes since the 1970s, but his work after 2017 has drawn the most attention. Reports describe money moving through layers of shell companies, donor-advised funds, and nonprofits, including the United Community Fund and the Justice Education Fund.

These groups have little public presence, which critics say makes it easier to move money quietly into activist and media efforts. One example raised in public reporting is that nearly $1.8 million from related funding streams went to Chinese media outlets that echo CCP messaging. His wife, Jodie Evans, a co-founder of Code Pink, is also connected to this ecosystem, and Code Pink has reportedly received a large share of its donations from sources tied to Singham.

Supporters of Singham-funded groups often describe the network as values-driven, not just financial. Some groups have called him a “Marxist comrade,” and critics say the model matches a CCP approach sometimes described as a “Strategy of Sowing Discord,” meant to deepen divisions inside rival countries.

The concern is that money and organizing support can amplify protests, strain local systems, and harden social conflict, while still flowing through tax-exempt structures that reduce oversight.

Claims Around Singham Funding Anti-ICE Protests

The biggest flashpoint is Singham’s alleged role in bankrolling anti-ICE protests across the US. Reports and committee statements have named organizations such as The People’s Forum, Code Pink, and the Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL) as major beneficiaries.

The People’s Forum is said to have received more than $20 million from Singham between 2017 and 2022, with funds routed through intermediaries that keep the source hard to trace. The New York-based group has been accused by critics of encouraging aggressive protest tactics aimed at ICE, including disruptions in large cities and actions on college campuses.

In Los Angeles, riots linked to PSL, described by some reports as Singham’s “main backer,” led President Trump to deploy the National Guard after federal officers were attacked. In Minneapolis, investigators and critics have also pointed to activists tied to these funding lines, saying they coordinated efforts to pressure or harass ICE during enforcement actions.

Protests in Minnesota and other places, including Buffalo, have featured calls to abolish ICE. Some participants have discussed tactics on encrypted apps, according to reporting cited by critics.

These actions are not limited to immigration. They also overlap with pro-Palestine campus occupations and wider anti-capitalist organizing. Critics argue that some messaging in these circles lines up with CCP-friendly narratives, including defenses of China’s actions toward Uyghurs.

The overall funding totals cited in public claims are large, with reports saying Singham has directed as much as $250 million into connected organizations and projects. The People’s Forum has also hosted events that praise China and promote Leninist ideas, which critics say support the argument that this is coordinated influence work, not simple grassroots activism.

Capitol Hill Pressure: Multiple Investigations

Singham and his network have drawn attention from several congressional committees. The House Ways and Means Committee, chaired by Rep. Jason Smith (R-MO), has pointed to The People’s Forum as a possible CCP-linked propaganda hub operating under tax-exempt status.

In a September 2025 letter, Smith requested records and described the group as tied to unrest while receiving large sums linked to Singham. The committee framed the issue as protecting the tax code from abuse and keeping nonprofit benefits from being used against US interests.

The House Oversight Committee, led by Rep. James Comer (R-KY) and joined by Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL), opened an inquiry in June 2025 focused on funding connected to the Los Angeles riots. The committee subpoenaed Singham for records tied to his relationship with PSL and warned that failure to comply could trigger contempt steps.

Oversight also raised concerns about possible Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) violations, which can apply when someone acts in the US on behalf of a foreign principal. In September, the committee went further and asked Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to review options such as sanctions, asset freezes, or seizures tied to Singham-connected entities.

The Senate Judiciary Committee, led by Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA), has also focused on The People’s Forum and Code Pink. Grassley’s April 2025 letter raised concerns about possible FARA duties tied to CCP-linked funding and influence. He also pointed to appearances by leaders of these groups in state-owned Chinese media as part of the broader picture.

Together, these inquiries show growing concern about foreign influence, even if the loudest push has come from Republicans in the current Congress.

Why the Story Hasn’t Broken Through in Mainstream Media

Despite the seriousness of the claims, coverage in major outlets has been limited. Critics point out that CNN, MSNBC, and The Washington Post have spent extensive time on Donald Trump’s policies and personal controversies, while giving far less attention to the Singham story. They argue that this gap is not random. Anti-ICE protests often fit into progressive political narratives, and a deeper look at possible CCP ties could complicate the way those protests are framed in public debate.

A few outlets have given the topic more airtime. Bill O’Reilly’s No Spin News has run segments focused on Singham and featured Rep. Jason Smith discussing claims that violence is being fueled through tax-exempt channels. NewsNation has also covered the subpoenas and the broader claims about money supporting campus actions and anti-ICE protests.

Critics say the uneven attention leaves the public with an incomplete picture. They argue that when headlines focus on familiar political drama, quieter stories about foreign meddling can fade into the background, even when the national security stakes are high.

Bessent Signals a Push for Oversight

As congressional pressure builds, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has moved toward stronger enforcement. Appointed in the Trump administration, Bessent has been recruiting a senior enforcement official, described as a new “top cop,” to watch for nonprofits that misuse 501(c)(3) status.

The plan includes an interagency task force aimed at groups that cross legal lines through heavy political activity, improper lobbying, or fraud. Supporters of the effort say this approach speaks directly to concerns raised in the Singham-related probes.

This shift follows requests from congressional Republicans, including lawmakers on Ways and Means, who have called for tougher action against nonprofits they say promote “anti-American” goals or help fund terrorism. Oversight’s letter to Bessent also pressed Treasury to review steps like sanctions or asset actions tied to Singham-linked entities. Bessent has framed the effort as a way to trace money flows and reduce waste, fraud, and abuse.

If Treasury follows through, the impact could extend well past one donor network. A more aggressive review could disrupt how political money moves through nonprofit structures. Legal fights may still follow, including disputes over FARA requirements and any attempt to freeze or seize assets.

US Sovereignty and Public Trust

The Singham story highlights pressure points in US systems, including tax rules, free speech protections, and the way political movements are covered. Committees can investigate, and Treasury can tighten enforcement, but the public also depends on clear reporting to understand what is happening and why.

Supporters of the investigations say the goal is simple: protect lawful protest while stopping foreign-backed influence campaigns that use US freedoms as cover. With the Treasury building new enforcement capacity and Congress asking sharper questions, the next phase may bring more records into the open and more accountability for groups that used secrecy to avoid scrutiny.

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TEHRAN –  Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the 86-year-old cleric who has led the Islamic Republic for more than three decades, is reportedly taking extra steps to protect himself.

Several accounts, including opposition-linked outlets such as Iran International and reporting repeated across international media, say Khamenei has shifted to a reinforced underground bunker in Tehran. The move reportedly came after senior military and security officials warned him that the risk of US airstrikes is rising, as American naval and air forces continue a major buildup in the Persian Gulf and nearby areas.

Sources describe the site as a hardened facility with heavy security and a network of tunnels, built to protect high-value figures during air attacks. The reports also point to sharper language from US President Donald Trump, who has again threatened military action unless Iran accepts strict limits on its nuclear program and ballistic missiles.

Trump has spoken about a “massive armada” moving into the region, including the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group, guided-missile destroyers, F-35 fighters, and more air defenses, including Patriot and THAAD systems positioned at bases in allied countries.

US Buildup Brings Back 2020 Fears Inside Tehran

This posture brings back memories of January 2020, when Trump ordered a drone strike that killed Qasem Soleimani, the head of Iran’s Quds Force, at Baghdad International Airport.

That strike stunned Iran’s leadership and showed that Washington was willing to target top figures directly. Analysts say the current buildup, described as larger than earlier deployments, has raised anxiety at the top of the Iranian system. Some reports claim Khamenei has even named potential successors in case he’s targeted.

Iran’s state media and officials have pushed back on the bunker claims. They have also shared photos and coverage of Khamenei at public events, including prayers at the tomb of Ruhollah Khomeini, to signal calm and control. Still, the speculation hasn’t faded. Opposition sources keep saying the move is about personal security and fear of a direct US strike.

Soleimani’s killing remains a turning point for the Iranian regime. The Trump administration defended the action at the time as a step to stop imminent threats to US personnel. In Iran, the strike was seen as a major blow and a public embarrassment that exposed gaps in the country’s security. Iranian leaders promised retaliation, but the episode also showed how quickly the situation could shift.

Now, with US warships closer and Trump warning that any future response would be “far worse” than before, including references in reporting to alleged 2025 strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, the supreme leader appears to be acting on the assumption that the risk is real. In that context, reports of bunker living fit a leadership preparing for worst-case scenarios.

Claims of Mass Killings as Protests Spread

Even as outside pressure grows, the Iranian government is also facing intense anger at home. Nationwide protests tied to the economy, currency decline, and long-running frustration with repression have reportedly met a harsh response. Human rights groups, medical sources, and opposition media describe security forces, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Basij units, using extreme force to shut down demonstrations.

Because of censorship, internet shutdowns, and limits on reporting, death toll estimates vary widely. Iran International has cited internal documents that claim more than 36,500 people were killed during a two-day crackdown in early January 2026, calling it one of the deadliest civilian protest crackdowns ever reported.

Time magazine has published accounts attributed to senior health ministry officials that suggest up to 30,000 deaths in similar clashes, with morgues and burial systems pushed past capacity. Other trackers, including HRANA, have confirmed more than 6,000 deaths, with many more cases still being reviewed, including reports involving children and other non-combatants.

Rising Global Anger and Isolation Around the Islamic Republic

These claims build on a pattern seen during earlier unrest, including the 2022 Women, Life, Freedom protests after Mahsa Amini died in morality police custody. Critics say the government is using live fire, aimed shots to the head and torso, and mass arrests to end dissent. Families of victims also report disappearances, torture, and attempts to hide the scale of the killings, including alleged mass burials.

Outside Iran, patience with the Islamic Republic appears to be wearing thin. Years of support for proxy forces, missile work, and ongoing nuclear disputes have left the country isolated in many forums.

The current crackdown, paired with warnings of regional conflict if Iran is attacked, has added to the outrage from human rights groups and many governments. Many observers now describe the regime as weaker than it looks, held together more by force than broad public support.

With US forces positioned for possible action and protests continuing inside Iran, reports of Khamenei living underground have become a symbol of a leadership under pressure on two fronts. Whether this leads to a wider confrontation or pushes new concessions is still unclear, but the moment is tense for Iran and for the region.

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