Max Blumenthal

The Grayzone's Max Blumenthal interviews Tehran Mayor Alireza Zakani after he presided over the funeral of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei – the largest gathering in human history, where millions clamored for revenge for their leader's assassination.

Zakani is a leading conservative politician who campaigned for the presidency as an opponent of the JCPOA nuclear deal, and has since emerged as top critic of the MOU between Iran and the US.

In this exclusive interview with The Grayzone, Zakani addressed the popular calls for vengeance against Trump and Netanyahu during Khamenei's funeral, and whether they expressed an official policy.

As a former friend and ally of Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani and former President Ebrahim Raisi, Zakani discussed the impact of their deaths on the Iranian nation, and addressed whether Iran responded strongly enough to Soleimani's assassination.

Zakani explained his critical views on the MOU, and provided his perspective on the deadly riots that rocked Iran this January as well as the devastating US-Israeli military campaign that followed.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thegrayzone.substack.com/subscribe

The Grayzone’s Wyatt Reed documents the arrival of the body of Iranian leader Sayyid Ali Khamenei to the Iraqi city of Karbala — the spiritual capital for over 200 million Shias — and explains why so many are drawing parallels between his killing at the hands of Trump and Netanyahu, and the slaying of the foundational figure of Shia Islam, Imam al-Hussein.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thegrayzone.substack.com/subscribe

The Grayzone's Max Blumenthal interviews Setareh Sadeqi of the University of Tehran about calls by average Iranians and some politicians for targeting Trump and Netanyahu as revenge for their assassination of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

Dr. Setareh Sadeqi can be found at @leelako on X/Twitter

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thegrayzone.substack.com/subscribe

The Grayzone's Max Blumenthal joins Prof. Mohammad Marandi on his trip to Tehran's Mosalla to pay respects to Seyyed Ali Khamenei.

The public mourning which began on July 4th for the martyred Iranian leader comprises the largest funeral in human history.

Marandi analyzes the significance of Khamenei's life and legacy, and discusses his role in forging the Islamic Republic.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thegrayzone.substack.com/subscribe

Max Blumenthal visits a rally in Engelhab Square where masses of citizens chanted against Iran’s assailants to the rhythm of Dammam music.

Rallies like these have been held in squares across Iran for over 120 days. Participants see them as an important component in their country’s successful mobilization against the joint US-Israeli military assault.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thegrayzone.substack.com/subscribe

The Grayzone's Oscar Leon spoke with close colleagues and friends of Ecuadorian activist Monika Silva, whose killing has shocked the nation, and deepened questions about the government's ties to narco cartels.Monika Silva was one of Ecuador’s most tireless anti-corruption and environmental activists. On June 8, she was found dead in her home in Montañita, Ecuador. The government claims she was depressed, and had committed suicide. This was misleading at best. A recent postmortem investigation revealed that Silva had been killed by a blunt trauma to the head, and strangulation.In the months leading up to her death, Silva had repeatedly warned that her life was in danger. She also revealed that she had presented evidence to the US Embassy in Quito of Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa’s links to the international drug trade. Noboa happens to be a key Trump ally, a billionaire son of Miami, who is rapidly transforming Ecuador into a militarized bulwark of US control.Silva's killing, and the government’s deceptive statements about it, demonstrate the harsh reality that forced so many Ecuadorians into silence. It is not safe to investigate corruption in this country.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thegrayzone.substack.com/subscribe

After news emerged that the US and Iran had finally reached an agreement to cease hostilities, thousands of civilians raced to return to their homes in Southern Lebanon.Days later, Israel responded to the elimination of its occupying soldiers by carrying out some of the worst massacres in its war on Lebanon, forcing civilians back to an uncertain future in the north — and forcing Iran to close the Strait of Hormuz again.In this on-the-ground report for The Grayzone, Wyatt Reed traveled to Southern Lebanon to speak to the families in the line of fire, and see the destruction wrought by Israel firsthand.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thegrayzone.substack.com/subscribe

Max Blumenthal joins Mario Nawfal to discuss the fallout from Trump's MOU with Iran

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thegrayzone.substack.com/subscribe

The Grayzone's Max Blumenthal breaks down recent reports emanating from US intelligence warning that Israeli spying has reached "critical" levels since President Donald Trump initiated negotiations with Iran.Blumenthal explains who Israel is reportedly targeting, and how the NY Times confirmed his own reporting about Israeli spying on the White House from one year ago.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thegrayzone.substack.com/subscribe

In his latest on the ground report for The Grayzone, Wyatt Reed travelled to the ancient city of Tyre to document the aftermath of a brutal wave of Israeli strikes on residential buildings and local businesses.Despite Israel’s claims that their attacks target Hezbollah, he found no evidence of militant activity. Instead, he only encountered civilians attempting to rebuild their lives — and, in many cases, refusing to obey a forced evacuation notice imposed by Israeli forces seeking to ethnically cleanse southern Lebanon.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thegrayzone.substack.com/subscribe