International
Ali Khamenei calls for participation in Iran elections to “make our friends happy and disappoint our enemies”
Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, called for participation in parliamentary elections on Friday to “disappoint the enemies,” marking the country’s first elections since the protests sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini in 2022.
“Many people around the world, whether ordinary individuals or politicians and authorities, have their eyes on Iran, on you, to see what you will do in these elections,” said Khamenei in a message to Iranians after casting his vote shortly after the opening of polling stations, in an event televised by Persian channels.
“Make our friends happy and disappoint our enemies. Please vote,” urged the religious leader, who in recent days has appealed to Iranians to vote given the popular indifference. Iranian authorities often use the term “enemies” to generally refer to the United States, Israel, and opposition groups.
Some 60,000 polling stations opened at 08:00 local time (4:30 GMT) and will remain open for 10 hours nationwide, with over 61 million people called to the polls, as reported by the official IRNA news agency.
Around 15,200 candidates – 1,713 of whom are women – are competing for the 290 seats in Parliament, while 144 clerics are running for the 88 seats in the Assembly of Experts, which selects Iran’s Supreme Leader in case of vacancy. This body is elected every eight years and the outcome of these elections could be crucial for the future of the Islamic Republic, given the advanced age of Khamenei, 84 years old.
Electoral Process in Iran
The elections are dominated by the conservative bloc, which now holds a parliamentary majority, following the disqualification of numerous reformist candidates, raising doubts about the freedom of elections and, in some cases, calling for a boycott.
The electoral process is marked by some indifference and apathy among voters due to the country’s poor economic situation, the disqualification of many reformist candidates, and political detachment, which was exacerbated by the protests sparked by Amini’s death after being arrested for not wearing the veil properly.
For months, young Iranians protested in the streets of the country chanting “woman, life, freedom,” demanding freedoms and an end to the Islamic Republic, in protests that subsided after the death of about 500 protesters at the hands of security forces.
Polls estimate participation between 30% and 41%, compared to the 42% turnout in the 2020 legislative elections, the lowest level in the history of the Islamic Republic.
Hundreds of activists, politicians, student associations, teachers, as well as Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi, consider boycotting as “a moral obligation for Iranians who love freedom and seek justice.”
International
UK braces for potential CO₂ shortage amid Middle East tensions
The government of United Kingdom is preparing contingency measures amid fears of a potential shortage of carbon dioxide (CO₂), which could impact the agri-food industry if the Strait of Hormuz remains blocked due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, The Times reported on Thursday.
According to the newspaper, officials assessed this scenario during a recent crisis meeting aimed at evaluating the consequences of a prolonged conflict, triggered on February 28 by joint attacks from United States and Israel against Iran.
Under this scenario, CO₂ supplies—primarily a byproduct of fertilizer production using natural gas—could fall by up to 18%, affecting multiple sectors including agriculture and food production.
The gas is widely used in the slaughter of pigs and poultry, as well as in extending the shelf life of packaged foods. Breweries could also face disruptions due to reduced availability.
“I don’t want to comment on a leak, but now that the information is out there, I hope people feel reassured knowing we are working on it,” said Peter Kyle, Secretary of State for Business and Trade, in remarks to Sky News.
While a drop in CO₂ supply is not expected to cause major shortages in supermarkets, it could limit product variety, The Times noted, citing access to internal government documents.
To mitigate the impact, authorities are considering prioritizing CO₂ supply for critical sectors such as healthcare and civil nuclear energy, where it is used in cooling systems for blood reserves, organs, vaccines, and electricity generation. The government may also request domestic producers to increase output.
Central America
El Salvador and Paraguay approve 2026–2028 cooperation program
The governments of El Salvador and Paraguay approved the 2026–2028 Cooperation Program, which includes six joint development projects, according to Salvadoran Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Adriana Mira.
Mira stated that El Salvador will act as the “main provider of cooperation,” contributing five initiatives focused on road infrastructure, tourism, and local development. She also noted that one of the projects will be led by the Paraguayan side, although no further details were disclosed.
The agreement was reached during the Second Meeting of the Joint Commission on Technical and Scientific Cooperation between both countries.
According to Paraguay’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the First Meeting of the Political Consultation and Bilateral Coordination Mechanism was also held, with the participation of Vice Minister Víctor Verdún.
In an official statement, the Paraguayan government reported that both delegations agreed to identify mechanisms to promote competitiveness, economic growth, and market access. They also committed to signing agreements related to air transport cooperation.
International
Macron meets Machado, stresses need for democratic transition in Venezuela
Emmanuel Macron met on Monday at the Élysée Palace with Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado, where they discussed the importance of advancing a democratic transition in Venezuela.
In a message shared on social media, Macron highlighted Machado’s commitment to freedom and stressed the need to achieve a transition that is peaceful and respects the will of the Venezuelan people.
“I received María Corina Machado, Nobel Peace Prize laureate. Together, we discussed her commitment to freedom and the importance of achieving a democratic, peaceful transition in Venezuela that respects the will of its people,” he wrote.
For her part, Machado expressed her “deep gratitude” to Macron and to France for their support of democracy and freedom in Venezuela.
“We have gone through a long and painful journey, and we are now very close to freedom. Venezuela will become a nation of free and equal men and women—prosperous, safe, and united,” she said.
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