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Top 5 at 5: Airstrikes in Iran; Gulf in Crisis

Julia Roknifard, Senior Lecturer, Taylor’s University | Clemens Chay, Senior Fellow for Geopolitics, Observer Research Foundation Middle East

02-Mar-26 17:00

Top 5 at 5: Airstrikes in Iran; Gulf in Crisis

US and Israeli airstrikes on Iran, including the killing of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, have triggered waves of Iranian retaliation across the Gulf. We unpack the escalating conflict, its human toll, and the wider regional impact on security and stability with out guests, Julia Roknifard and Clemens Chay. (Starts at 22:40)

• Daim Family accused of plotting against government: A police report alleges that the late Tun Daim Zainuddin’s family attempted to pressure the government and MACC leadership, claims they deny as “false and preposterous.” Constitutional lawyer New Sin Yew explains how such allegations are investigated under Section 124B of the Penal Code and the burden of proof required. (Starts at 16:25)

• Who was Khamenei?: Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader, survived assassination attempts, rose through the revolutionary movement, and held ultimate authority over the country’s military, judiciary, and foreign policy. We discuss whether the late leader will be remembered as a tyrant or a nationalist. (Starts at 9:32)

• Dusky leaf culling ruled unlawful: The Court of Appeal rules Perhilitan’s culling of dusky leaf monkeys unlawful, citing disproportionate action against an endangered species. We speak to lawyer Rajesh Nagarajan on what this means for wildlife protection and government accountability. (Starts at 5:15)

• Flights halted, chaos ensues: US-Israel strikes on Iran and Tehran’s missile retaliation have grounded thousands of flights across the Middle East. We unpack the chaos for global travel, from stranded passengers to disrupted cargo and rising ticket prices. (Starts at 0:23)

Image Credit: Shutterstock

Produced by: Dashran Yohan, Alia Zefri, Sudais Ferhard, Sharaad Kuttan, Sneha Harikannan, Juliet Jacobs

Presented by: Sharaad Kuttan, Dashran Yohan


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Categories:  environmenttravelLaw/Activismcontroversiescorruptioninternationalgovernmentpolitics

Tags:  US Israel airstrikes IranIran Gulf retaliation crisisDaim Zainuddin family investigationIran Supreme LeaderMiddle East flight cancellationsAirspace closurespenal codeAyatollah Ali Khameneidusky leaf monkeysCourt of Appeal ruling





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