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The clash between the US and Iran is not just a matter of conflicting interests, but a deeper ideological divide. The US, representing the West's vision of wealth and opportunity based on material ownership, is at odds with Iran's regime, which is built on a creed enmeshed in an ideology that is dogmatically enforced. The US and Israel are attempting to exterminate an ideology through destruction, but ideology can only be defeated by confronting it with ideas and beliefs that have greater resonance and are based on sound ethics. If we believe in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as set out in 1948, we have to stop the US and Israel. The US and Israel's actions are a stark reminder that ideology can only be defeated when confronted with ideas and beliefs that have greater resonance and are based on sound ethics. Nesrine Malik is correct that Donald Trump does not understand Iran's leaders, but the reason lies in Iran's leaders acting on religious and national principles, which Trump, lacking principles himself, fails to comprehend. This lack of understanding has significant implications, contributing to global economic instability as Trump's actions, driven by a lack of principles, lead to reckless decisions that impact not just the Middle East but the world economy.

Following US and Israeli strikes that killed senior Iranian figures, concerns have emerged about the power dynamics within Iran's leadership. The country's response to these actions and the implications for the region are significant.This episode of 'The Take' examines the key players in Iran's system, how decisions are made, and the potential impact of losing top figures on Iran's response to the ongoing conflict with the US and Israel.Key topics include:The structure of Iran's leadership and decision-making processesThe role of senior figures and their influence on policyThe potential consequences of their loss for Iran's stance on the US-Israel conflictThe analysis features insights from Ali Hashem, a senior Al Jazeera correspondent, providing a deeper understanding of the complexities at play.

The ongoing conflict between the United States and Israel against Iran has entered its first month, marked by escalating tensions and critical strategic developments. The situation remains fluid, with both sides engaging in a complex dance of military actions and diplomatic maneuvers.As the conflict continues, international attention is focused on the potential for further escalation and the implications for regional stability. The US and Israel have been coordinating their efforts to counter Iranian influence, while Iran has been resisting external pressures.The coming weeks are expected to be crucial in determining the trajectory of the conflict and its impact on the broader Middle East region.

The conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran has expanded into Iraqi territory, creating what analysts describe as the most fragile front in the ongoing regional war. Recent strikes by US and Israeli forces have targeted Iran-backed groups operating within Iraq, prompting retaliatory attacks from Iraqi militias against Western interests. The strategic implications of this escalation are profound, with oil flow through the critical Strait of Hormuz completely halted, disrupting global energy markets. This development comes as Iraq's central government already struggles to maintain control over its territory and resources. As hostilities intensify, concerns mount about Iraq's ability to preserve its sovereignty and prevent the country from becoming a battlefield for proxy conflicts between regional and international powers. The fragile state of Iraqi institutions, combined with external military interventions, threatens to destabilize an already volatile region. International observers warn that the prolonged conflict could have lasting consequences for Iraq's political landscape, potentially fragmenting the country further along sectarian lines and weakening the central government's authority beyond recognition. The situation remains fluid, with diplomatic efforts seemingly unable to de-escalate tensions as the conflict enters a dangerous new phase with direct military confrontation on Iraqi soil.

Iran's men's football team, Team Melli, has been training in southern Turkiye as they prepare for two upcoming friendly matches before the FIFA World Cup. The team's preparations come against the backdrop of the US-Israel war on Iran, which is likely to attract heightened attention during the World Cup.The team held a training session in Belek, Antalya, with tightly restricted media access. Officials stated that they wanted to avoid distractions before the matches, which are critical to their World Cup preparations.Iran's football federation is in discussions with FIFA about moving its World Cup matches to Mexico from the US due to concerns over player safety. The friendly matches were originally scheduled to take place in Jordan but were moved to Turkiye following the outbreak of the war on Iran.The team will play against Nigeria on Friday and Costa Rica on Tuesday. Striker Sardar Azmoun was omitted from the squad after posting a picture on his Instagram feed of a meeting with Dubai's ruler Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Iranian media reported that Azmoun had been expelled from the national team for a perceived act of disloyalty to the government.

US markets witnessed a significant downturn on Thursday, marking their biggest slump since the onset of the US-Israel war with Iran. The Dow closed 450 points down, while the S&P 500 dipped 1.7%. The tech-heavy Nasdaq fell 2.3%, plunging into correction territory, which occurs when an index falls at least 10% below its most recent peak. The conflict has led to a surge in oil prices, reaching levels not seen since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. At the end of the day on Thursday, Brent crude oil, the global benchmark, was about $107 a barrel, while US crude hit $93 a barrel. Average US gas prices at the pump reached $3.98 a gallon, according to AAA. Despite the soaring prices, Donald Trump said that oil prices “have not gone up as much as I thought” during a cabinet meeting on Thursday. He predicted that prices would “come back down to where it was, and probably lower,” and that the impact on the stock market would reverse once the conflict ends. Markets have been growing weary of Trump's mixed signals on the US's stance in negotiations with Iran. Stocks dipped on Thursday morning after Trump posted a warning to Iranian negotiators that they “better get serious, before it’s too late.” However, later in the morning, Trump said that there were “very substantial talks” happening with Iran and that the country allowed 10 oil tankers to pass the blocked strait of Hormuz. The White House announced it will extend a pause on Iranian energy infrastructure strikes by 10 days, until 6 April. A new report estimates US inflation will average 4.2% this year, compared with an average of about 2.6% in 2025, according to the Organization for Economic and Cooperation and Development (OECD). The increase in inflation reverses what was expected to be strong growth for the global economy before the conflict began.

Iran has assured that 'non-hostile' vessels can safely pass through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route for about one-fifth of the world's oil and liquified natural gas supplies. The assurance comes amid a significant collapse in maritime traffic through the strait, which has contributed to a major global energy crisis.In a statement released through its mission to the United Nations, Iran specified that ships would be allowed to transit the strait 'provided that they neither participate in nor support acts of aggression against Iran and fully comply with the declared safety and security regulations.'The development follows a sharp decline in shipping traffic through the strait, with only about 5 vessels passing through daily, compared to an average of 120 daily transits before the US-Israel conflict began. This reduction has led to a surge in global energy prices, with Brent crude experiencing significant fluctuations.Iran's statement also mentioned that ships will be allowed to transit 'in coordination with the competent Iranian authorities.' The country has shared similar assurances with the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the UN body responsible for international shipping safety and security.The move comes as US President Donald Trump mentioned ongoing negotiations to end the conflict with Iran, despite Tehran's previous denials of talks. The situation remains complex, with global markets closely watching for any signs of resolution.