Tokyo International News Agency

Joe Kent, the Director of the U.S. National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC), announced his resignation on March 17, expressing opposition to the Trump administration's military operations against Iran. Kent stated that he "cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran" and asserted that Iran does "not pose an imminent threat" to the United States. According to multiple media reports, Director Kent is the highest-ranking official in the administration to resign over military action against Iran. He also cited as a reason for his resignation, "It is clear that this war was initiated by Israel and its powerful lobby." Kent is a veteran who served in the U.S. Army Special Forces (Green Berets) and the CIA. He was nominated by President Trump to head the NCTC in February 2025. While initially known as an ardent Trump supporter, his career also showed a facet of advocating for a restrained foreign policy, contrary to his initial alignment. In resp...

On March 5, Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) announced it had raised its travel warning to "Level 3: Do Not Travel (Travel Cease Advisory)" for six Middle Eastern countries: Kuwait, eastern Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Oman. The U.S. government has issued a similar highest-level travel advisory, urging "immediate departure" for its citizens in the area, underscoring the severe escalation of tensions. This travel cease advisory comes against a backdrop of destabilization across the entire Middle East region, fueled by the worsening situation involving Iran. On social media, information about attacks on U.S. tankers and the destruction of Iranian naval headquarters is circulating, fueling widespread concern about the expansion of the conflict. One user commented that this crisis is "on a different dimension" from previous ones, expressing alarm that March 5, 2026, "might become a turning point that will...

On March 5, 2026, as the convening of the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee became a focal point amidst the escalating situation in Iran, the largest opposition party, the Centrist Reform Alliance (commonly known as Chudo), opposed its holding and refused to engage in scheduling discussions. This stance has drawn strong criticism from both the ruling and opposition parties. In particular, a series of remarks posted on social media platform X by Foreign Minister Taro Kono ignited the debate, causing widespread repercussions among the public. Mr. Kono posted, "With the situation in Iran as it is, one would naturally expect the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee to be held. Yet, the opposition is against it and refusing to discuss the schedule. What exactly is Kazuya Kondo, the chief director of the opposition's Chudo, thinking?" This post immediately went viral on X, prompting an outpouring of criticism against the opposition from many users...

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed on February 28 in an attack by U.S. and Israeli forces, Iranian state media and NHK news alerts reported on March 1. This sudden loss of the supreme leader is likely to introduce uncertainty into Iran's political system and further escalate tensions in the already volatile Middle East region. According to multiple sources, Ayatollah Khamenei was attacked in his office, and his death has been confirmed by the U.S. government, the Israeli government, and Iranian state television. The attack also reportedly killed Khamenei's daughter, grandson, daughter-in-law, and son-in-law. Following the death of its supreme leader, Iran announced 40 days of national mourning. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has vowed retaliation for Khamenei's assassination, and their subsequent actions are awaited with keen interest. Xinhua News Agency reported that following Khamenei's martyrdom, the nation would be led by Irani...

The term “Hussein” has recently trended on social media, sparking discussions that draw parallels between Iran’s current situation and the aftermath of Saddam Hussein’s regime collapse in Iraq. Specifically, videos reportedly showing leaders' statues being toppled in Iran have reminded many users of the “historic moment” in 2003 when Saddam Hussein’s statue was pulled down in Baghdad. However, this memory is tinged not only with hope but also with deep concern. Users are pointing to the historical fact that post-Saddam Iraq did not establish a pro-American government but instead descended into a quagmire of sectarian conflict, chaos, and the rise of ISIS. Similarly, referencing the 2011 “Arab Spring,” where anti-American and anti-Israeli forces emerged victorious in democratic elections after Egypt’s Mubarak regime fell, skepticism is being cast on the logic that “if evil leaders are removed, freedom-loving people will establish democratic governments favorable to America.” Some po...

The United States and Israel have launched a joint military operation against Iran, with former U.S. President Donald Trump urging the Iranian populace to "take over your government" after the operation concludes, explicitly calling for regime change. This appeal has ignited a flurry of responses on social media from many Iranians, expressing deep dissatisfaction with the current Khamenei regime and hopes for liberation from oppression. Announcing the initiation of a large-scale military operation, Trump emphasized to the Iranian people, "Take over your government. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity." He warned them to remain indoors due to the bombings and explained that the joint U.S.-Israeli objective is to eliminate the threat posed by the Iranian regime and its nuclear development program. French President Emmanuel Macron has also voiced his support for the Iranian people to build a free future. Posts on X (formerly Twitter) frequently feature sentiment...