— 🇮🇷/🇾🇪 NEW: Yemen announces it has used its first hypersonic missile 'Hatem 2' against an Israeli ship

Recently, the Yemeni Armed Forces announced they had started domestic production of Iran's 'Kheybar Shekan' MRBM, under the name 'Palestine' (فلسطين).

Those among us with knowledge about Iran's missile program know that there exists an upgraded version of the Kheybar Shekan, namely the Kheybar Shekan-2, which is outfitted with a special cone tip. The Kheybar Shekan-2 is a hypersonic missile due to its upgraded design.

So, it seems that Iran has not only given Yemen the blueprints and expertise to build the regular Kheybar Shekan, but its most advanced, hypersonic brother: the 'Kheybar Shekan-2', under the Yemeni name 'Hatem-2'.

No Iranian hypersonic missiles were used in its attack on Israel, so the fact that they allow the Yemenis to possess such advanced equipment that even they themselves have not used, speaks volumes about how comitted Iran is to the Axis of Resistance and its allies.

@Middle_East_Spectator

— 🇮🇷 BREAKING: Presidential candidate Amirhossein Ghazizadeh-Hashemi drops out of the race

In a statement, Ghazizadeh-Hashemi says he withdrew in order to strengthen and unite the Conservative front.

He also called on the three other Conservative candidates to unite and agree upon a single candidate in order to defeat the Reformists led by Masoud Pezeshkian.

@Middle_East_Spectator

— 🇮🇱/🇸🇾 NEW: Israeli airstrike in Damascus

@Middle_East_Spectator

— 🇮🇷 Regarding this poll:

With Pezeshkian now clearly in the lead, the Conservatives need to decide what to do; both remain in the race, risking a second round, or dropping out and uniting behind a single candidate. To win the Presidency in the first round, one candidate needs at least 51% of the vote.

If Ghalibaf steps down in favor of Jalili, the Conservatives could possibly even win the election in the first round, with a bit of luck. If nobody steps down, there will be a second round.

Allowing Pezeshkian to reach the second round, probably against Jalili, would risk higher voter turnout and a Reformist win in the second round.

@Middle_East_Spectator

— 🇮🇷 NEW: Dr. Saeed Jalili announces he will NOT withdraw from the race

A private meeting was held today between Ghalibaf, Jalili and supposedly Ismael Qaani, leader of the IRGC's Quds Force, in which they pressured Jalili to withdraw for Ghalibaf, despite Jalili polling higher.

Jalili did not give in to the pressure, and refuses to withdraw. Only two options remain now: Ghalibaf withdraws for Jalili, or both candidates remain and one of them will go to the second round against Pezeshkian.

@Middle_East_Spectator

— 🇮🇷 Dr. Saeed Jalili in a work meeting with Martyr President Ebrahim Raisi

He was raising concerns about Iran's farmers and the lack of attention to rural areas and the simple working man.

Iran's rural voters should not be underestimated. They are often not represented properly in the polls.

@Middle_East_Spectator

The election is going to be extremely close.

Personally, I think this is good, it restores people's trust in the system.

A high turnout will be very positive. As Imam Khamenei said, 'every vote in the election is a vote for the Islamic Republic'.

People who fundamentally oppose Iran's system (the Islamic Republic) usually never vote, so voter turnout is a decent indicator of the % of the population's support for IR.

About the coup in Bolivia, I have nothing to say.

A friend of mine said it best.

— 🇮🇷 BREAKING: Presidential candidate Alireza Zakani drops out of the race

Zakani: 'I stayed until the end of the legal time of the competition, but the continuation of Martyr Raisi's path is more important.

I ask Jalili and Qalibaf to unite and not leave the revolutionary forces' rightful demands unanswered, and to prevent the formation of a Reformist government.'

@Middle_East_Spectator

— 🇵🇰/🇮🇷 The Minister of Defense of Pakistan, Khawaja Mohammad Asif:

'Our country is determined to eradicate terrorism in its southwestern border areas, and it has gained the support of the Islamic Republic of Iran in fighting against this sinister phenomenon.

We have no challenges nor any obstacles in anti-terrorism cooperation with the Islamic Republic of Iran, and we firmly believe that we have Tehran's full support in eradicating terrorism.

Our countries will remain brotherly nations and we will work together on a path of strong friendship and cooperation in the military field.'

@Middle_East_Spectator

— Fun fact: Iranian Presidential candidate Dr. Saeed Jalili advocated for Iran actively enriching up to 90% (weapons grade) uranium, when the United States pulled out of the Iran Nuclear Deal, as a retaliation