Iran begins long farewell to former supreme leader with calls for Trump’s death | First Thing

• Journalist Jeremy Kuzmarov reports in *Covert Action* that U.S. military bases globally are experiencing a surge in protests from an emboldened antiwar movement. • The report highlights specific demonstrations and actions targeting U.S. military installations in Ireland, Germany, Holland, South Korea, the Philippines, and Australia.

• The US and Iran signed an interim agreement on June 17 aimed at ending a three-month conflict that has severely disrupted global energy markets. • The agreement seeks to secure one of the world’s most critical shipping lanes, which has been under threat due to ongoing geopolitical tensions.

• Russia launched a missile and drone attack on Ukraine's capital, resulting in at least 12 deaths. • In Venezuela, acting President Delcy Rodríguez is struggling to manage a humanitarian crisis following two powerful earthquakes.

• Global economies have largely absorbed the historic loss of Iranian oil supplies, a resilience attributed to a long-term decline in "oil intensity" since the 1970s. • World Bank data indicates that oil's role in economic activity has dropped by over 50% in most advanced economies and approximately 20% in emerging and developing nations.

• Iran is holding a massive funeral for its late supreme leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, triggering urgent geopolitical questions regarding the country's future leadership. • Khamenei's successor, his son Mojtaba, has remained out of the public eye since being injured in a US-Israeli bombing during the war.

• An analysis of the launch of five international news channels emphasizes that leadership, diplomacy, and trust are more critical to success than technology. • The process highlights the importance of effective team management and the cultivation of strong stakeholder relations to ensure operational viability.

• Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni is scheduled to lead a high-level delegation on a crucial visit to Islamabad, Pakistan, in the coming days. • The visit is planned to take place following the funeral proceedings for Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

• The United Nations is preparing for the selection of its next Secretary-General, a role critical for navigating current global instability. • African nations are expected to advocate strongly for the position, noting that the continent has not held the post since Boutros Boutros-Ghali served from 1992 to 1996.

• The United Nations is considering several candidates for the next Secretary-General, with a strong possibility that the position will be filled by a woman from South America. • Key nominees include Michelle Jeria, a former President of Chile nominated by three countries, and Rebeca Mayufis, the current Secretary-General of the UN Conference on Trade and Development and former Vice President of Costa Rica.

• Research by the Institute for the Future of Journalism (IBT) indicates a significant decline in the quantity and range of international news coverage within the BBC's flagship bulletins. • The study suggests the broadcaster may be failing to meet its international news remit, potentially narrowing the public's perspective on global events.

• UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has warned that artificial intelligence poses a "Hiroshima"-style existential threat to humanity if global regulations are not established. • Cooper highlighted AI as part of a broader set of systemic risks, including the climate crisis, irregular migration, and foreign interference.

• India is evaluating four critical geopolitical shifts resulting from the ongoing conflict in Iran to mitigate economic and strategic risks. • To reduce energy vulnerability, India is advised to expand its strategic petroleum reserves from the current eight-day capacity to between 30 and 60 days.