While Gulf capitals welcomed the U.S.-Iran ceasefire as a chance to ease tensions, their statements showed they see it not as the end of the crisis, but as a test of Iran’s regional behavior amid fears their security concerns could be sidelined.

Ghalibaf’s appointment as Iran’s special envoy to China signals tighter, security-driven coordination with Beijing and highlights his role as a pragmatic hardliner bridging key Iranian power institutions amid sanctions and regional tensions.

As Pakistan presses ahead with an all-out diplomatic push to broker a lasting deal between the United States and Iran—one that could finally bring the war to a close—its sudden urgency to act as a go-between is raising pointed questions.

High-level sources say that Iran’s IRGC has tightened its grip on wartime decision-making despite the deaths of its top commanders.

Pezeshkian’s apology for the targeting of neighboring countries, along with the temporary leadership council’s approval to suspend the strikes, has raised questions about the council’s ability to control the IRGC overseeing military operations against the U.S. and "Israel."