Revolutionary Guards seize control of Iran as supreme leader becomes ‘hologram’

“Nobody knows who to talk to,” President Donald Trump said Tuesday at the White House, describing what he portrayed as both chaos and opportunity inside Iran’s leadership. “But we’re actually talking to the right people, and they want to make a deal so badly.” 

His remarks come as the U.S. claims it is engaged in talks with a “top” Iranian figure, even as Tehran publicly denies negotiations are taking place.

The question now is not just whether talks are happening, but whether anyone in Tehran has the authority to deliver. With U.S.-Israel strikes on senior Iranian leadership and growing internal fractures, Iran appears to be operating less like a centralized theocracy and more like a wartime system run by overlapping power centers, with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) at its core.

Here’s who matters now.

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The IRGC: The real power behind the state

Across intelligence assessments and recent reporting, one conclusion is consistent: the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has emerged as the dominant force in Iran’s political system.

Behnam Ben Taleblu, senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies Washington, D.C., think tank, said the current moment is accelerating a long-standing trend. 

“No doubt both the 12-Day war and this current conflict have trimmed the commanding heights of the Islamic Republic’s political and military leadership,” he said.  “But it has also expedited the trend lines inherent in Iranian politics, which is the dominance of the security forces and the ascendance of the IRGC.”

“Yes, there is more IRGC control over the state than ever before, but the state is weaker than ever before and more of a national security rump state than ever before,” he said. 

“It shouldn’t particularly preoccupy Washington, who is and isn’t offering negotiations,” Ben Taleblu added. “The preeminent preoccupation of Washington has to be working toward a military win at a political win, and that does not come by working with the IRGC, but actually beating them on the battlefield and supporting the forces most arrayed against them in Iran, which are the Iranian people.”

The command room: Supreme National Security Council

If the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is the power in Iran, the Supreme National Security Council appears to be the mechanism through which that power is exercised.

The Supreme National Security Council is Iran’s top forum for coordinating military and foreign policy, bringing together senior Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commanders and government officials under the authority of the supreme leader. It was established after the 1979 revolution and has played a central role in managing major crises, from nuclear negotiations to wartime operations.

Iran appointed Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, a former Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commander, as secretary of the council, reinforcing its central role in coordinating military and political decisions, Reuters reported Tuesday.

A Middle Eastern official source with knowledge of the system described the structure. 

“Right now, the power is in the hands of the IRGC,” the source said. “The Supreme National Security Council makes the decisions, of course, with the backing of the majority of IRGC commanders.”

Mojtaba Khamenei: The supreme leader in name

Formally, Iran’s system centers on Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei. But his actual grip on power remains uncertain.

Khamenei inherited the position’s sweeping authority following his father’s death, but “lacks the automatic authority enjoyed by his father,” the Middle Eastern official said.

Moreover, he has not appeared publicly since taking power and only has issued written statements, raising questions about both his health and his ability to govern, after reportedly being injured in the initial Feb. 28 U.S.–Israeli strikes that killed his father and other senior Iranian leaders.

Brig. Gen. (res.) Yossi Kuperwasser, head of the Jerusalem Institute for Strategy and Security, suggested his role may currently be limited: “For the time being, since Mojtaba has been injured, it seems he’s a hologram and not holding power. However, if Mojtaba recovers, he will be involved in ruling Iran. He is not just a figurehead. But anyhow, for the time being, the control of Iran is in the hands of the revolutionary guards.”

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Ghalibaf: The man at the center of Trump’s claim

Trump’s statement that he is speaking to a “top person” has focused attention on one name in particular: Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.

The White House is quietly exploring Ghalibaf as a potential interlocutor and even a possible future leader, Axios reported.

A former Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commander and current parliament speaker, Ghalibaf represents a hybrid figure inside the system, bridging military credentials and political authority.

He was one of the key security figures involved in the crackdown on student protests in July 1999 and has run for president four times since 2005.

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Ghalibaf is expected to meet U.S. special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in the capital of Pakistan as early as the end of the week. 

Ben Taleblu said: “Those who see the ascendants of someone like Ghalibaf, who is an IRGC veteran, having extended power outside his traditional civilian rule, have missed the decades of how personality, not profession, has been the driving force in Iranian politics for the past few decades. I would also say those who worry about the IRGC background of the Supreme National Security Council are all that in Iran today, may have missed the fact that the past few Supreme National Security Council Secretaries, Shamkhani, Larijani, Ahmadian, all also had IRGC backgrounds.”

At the same time, Ghalibaf has publicly denied engaging in talks with the United States, and no direct confirmation of negotiations has been provided by either side.

Araghchi: The diplomat carrying messages

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi remains one of the most visible figures internationally.

If talks were to take place, Araghchi likely would be part of the Iranian delegation alongside Ghalibaf, Reuters reported.

But analysts caution that his role is limited. He may act as a channel for communication, but does not set policy independently. 

Strategic decisions, particularly on war and negotiations, are still shaped by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and the broader security establishment.

The wider power circle: generals, clerics and enforcers

Beyond the headline figures, a broader group of officials who continue to shape Iran’s direction can be identified.

These include Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps chief Ahmad Vahidi, Quds Force commander Esmail Qaani, naval commander Alireza Tangsiri, Judiciary Chief Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei, President Masoud Pezeshkian and senior clerical and political figures such as Saeed Jalili and Ayatollah Alireza Arafi.

Each represents a different pillar of the system: military power, regional proxy operations, control of strategic waterways, internal repression and religious legitimacy.

Together, they form what analysts describe as a fragmented but resilient governing network.

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Despite internal divisions, Iran’s leadership remains united on one core objective: survival of the regime.

Kuperwasser described the split: “There are the more pragmatic elites, like Araghchi, Rouhani, and Zarif. There are also the hardliners who have usually held the upper hand … But they are united in one issue — that the regime should survive and stay in power.”

Iran’s U.N. mission did not respond to a request for comment in time for publication. 

Jury reaches ‘historic’ decision in state’s $2,100,000,000 case against Meta

A New Mexico jury on Tuesday ordered Meta to pay $375 million after finding the company violated state law by misleading users about the safety of its platforms and allegedly enabling child sexual exploitation.

Jurors found the Facebook and Instagram parent company violated New Mexico’s consumer protection law following a lawsuit brought by Attorney General Raul Torrez, who accused Meta of failing to protect children from predators.

“The jury’s verdict is a historic victory for every child and family who has paid the price for Meta’s choice to put profits over kids’ safety,” said New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez. “Meta executives knew their products harmed children, disregarded warnings from their own employees, and lied to the public about what they knew. Today the jury joined families, educators, and child safety experts in saying enough is enough.”

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The verdict marks a major legal win for the state and is believed to be the first time a state has prevailed at trial against a major tech company over claims it harmed children through its platforms, according to the New Mexico State Justice Department.

The lawsuit, filed in 2023 by the state, alleged Meta created a “breeding ground” for child predators and misled users about safety protections on Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp.

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The $375 million penalty is significantly lower than the roughly $2.1 billion New Mexico officials had sought, though the jury awarded the maximum allowed under state law of $5,000 per violation.

Meta said it disagrees with the verdict and plans to appeal.

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“We respectfully disagree with the verdict and will appeal,” a Meta spokesperson told FOX Business in a statement. “We work hard to keep people safe on our platforms and are clear about the challenges of identifying and removing bad actors or harmful content. We will continue to defend ourselves vigorously, and we remain confident in our record of protecting teens online.”

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The case is separate from a high-profile Los Angeles trial over claims social media platforms contribute to youth addiction.

Officials reveal key finding in devastating house fire that killed NHL reporter, 3 kids

A deadly house fire in Minnesota that claimed the lives of an NHL reporter and her three children over the weekend does not appear to have been intentional, officials said Monday, citing preliminary investigative findings.

The White Bear Lake Fire Department released a statement Monday following the Saturday morning fire that claimed the life of 37-year-old Minnesota Wild correspondent Jessi Pierce and her three children. 

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“We are in the very early stages of the investigation, and our preliminary findings have not led to any evidence that the fire was set intentionally,” the press release read. “The cause of the fire is still under investigation. The official cause and further information will be released once the investigation is complete.”

Officials said that in addition to the Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office, they are “dedicating all possible resources to this investigation.” 

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Officials said Pierce and her children were found deceased in the single-family home, which bystanders reported seeing flames coming through the roof early Saturday morning. Pierce’s husband, Mike Hinrichs, was reportedly out of town on a work trip at the time of the fire.

Their children, Hudson, Cayden and Avery, were 8, 6 and 4 years old.

Minnesota Wild general manager Bill Guerin remembered Pierce as a “ray of sunshine.” 

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“Words just can’t express how devastated we all are,” Guerin said.  “But, as I mentioned to some of you the other night, it doesn’t matter if you’re in the media, if you’re a player, if you’re in management, a coach, we are all in the sports world and the hockey world, and we’re all in this together.”

Pierce covered the Wild for 10 seasons with NHL.com. She also had her work featured in The Athletic, B1G Ice Hockey blog, the Minnesota Hockey Journal and Massachusetts Hockey.

Dem governor attends mosque led by Imam once accused of Hamas ties in deportation case

New Jersey Democratic Gov. Mikie Sherrill attended a Ramadan event at a Paterson mosque led by an Imam who fought deportation for years over alleged ties to Hamas.

Sherrill posted photos of her visit to the Islamic Center of Passaic County on social media, wearing a hijab and taking selfies. In one image, she is seen speaking with the mosque’s longtime leader, Imam Mohammad Qatanani.

“Thank you to the Islamic Center of Passaic County for welcoming me to join their celebration as the holy month of Ramadan comes to a close,” she wrote. “I wish our Muslim neighbors a safe, joyous, and peaceful Eid al-Fitr.”

Qatanani, a Palestinian-born cleric, has been at the center of a decades-long immigration battle after federal authorities sought to deport him, citing alleged ties to Hamas and claims he failed to disclose a prior detention in Israel. He has denied those allegations, saying he was detained but never convicted.

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As Fox News previously reported, the federal government moved to remove Qatanani from the U.S. beginning in the mid-2000s, arguing he made misrepresentations on his green card application and raising national security concerns tied to Israeli records.

An immigration judge ruled in Qatanani’s favor in 2008, finding the government’s evidence unreliable and giving little weight to Israeli court documents used to support the allegations, according to court records . The judge also found the government had not proven Qatanani engaged in terrorist activity.

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Court records further raised concerns about the reliability of statements attributed to Qatanani, including whether they may have been obtained under coercive conditions. Subsequent rulings over the years continued to favor him.

A federal appeals court ultimately blocked his deportation in 2025, ruling immigration officials acted improperly in attempting to reverse his legal status.

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The [Board of Immigration Appeals] exceeded its authority when it attempted to undo Qatanani’s adjustment to LPR status by using an agency regulation in a manner inconsistent with the procedures set out by Congress,” the court wrote.

The decision focused on legal process rather than resolving the underlying allegations, finding federal authorities failed to follow required procedures after missing deadlines to challenge a key ruling granting him permanent residency.

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It is unclear whether Sherrill was aware of Qatanani’s legal history at the time of her visit. Fox News Digital has reached out to the governor’s office for comment.

‘Reacher’ star divides fans with cryptic post after front yard fight video surfaces

“Reacher” star Alan Ritchson left fans divided after seemingly sharing a cryptic message in the wake of his front yard brawl.

Ritchson can allegedly be seen throwing punches at his Tennessee neighbor as his kids watch from the street in video obtained by TMZ. 

The 43-year-old model-turned-actor took to social media Monday as conflicting accounts of what led to the physical altercation emerged.

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“Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake,” a quote shared by Ritchson on Instagram read.

Ritchson’s cryptic message didn’t sit right with some in his comments.

“Kind of like getting CAUGHT on camera being a bully,” one user wrote. “Man. Shame on you. True masculinity defends the weak and serves those around us. Not what you do. I stand against bullies. Come on over. You are welcome to try and bully me.”

“Bro beat a guy’s a– and aura farms afterward,” another added.

“Disgusting,” a user wrote. “Don’t talk about Church and Jesus ever again. You should be 100% canceled.”

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However, the “Titans” star also received support.

“@alanritchson I know you’re way too good of a dude to do that unprovoked,” a commenter wrote. “I’m with Alan all the way on this one.”

“Need more guys like you around brother,” another added.

“True fans love you @alanritchson i don’t for a second believe you would have acted that way without being provoked or assaulted first,” one said.

Brentwood, Tennessee police have closed the investigation, concluding that the star acted in self-defense, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

No charges will be pursued, per the outlet. 

The actor also declined pressing charges against Taylor.

“After reviewing available evidence, including video footage and witness statements, authorities determined that no criminal charges will be pursued. Mr. Ritchson’s actions were found to be in self-defense,” Captain Steven Pepin of the Brentwood Police Department told THR.

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The actor’s neighbor and alleged victim, Ronnie Taylor, claimed the drama began Saturday, TMZ reported.

According to Taylor, Ritchson was seen riding his green Kawasaki bike through the neighborhood Saturday at an excessive rate of speed. The actor returned Sunday around noon, this time with his two kids in tow on their own motorbikes. Taylor confronted Ritchson, leading to a physical altercation.

Sources close to Ritchson told TMZ that the actor did not instigate the fight. While riding motorbikes around the neighborhood, Taylor allegedly ran into the street in a “really aggressive” manner to stop Ritchson.

The insiders claimed Taylor pushed Ritchson off the motorbike twice before the brawl ensued. According to the outlet’s sources, Taylor allegedly “initiated and instigated” the entire confrontation.

Taylor told the Daily Mail that he did not know who the neighbor was and only found out after the altercation. The actor declined to respond when asked if he started the alleged fight.

“I can’t answer questions about that right now, there’s an active investigation,” he told the outlet.

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Trump reveals monarch’s genius move that left him completely amazed

A preview of the upcoming book, “The Queen and Her Presidents: The Hidden Hand That Shaped History,” revealed a key quality President Donald Trump envied about the late Queen Elizabeth II.

While America was born from a rebellion against the British Crown in the 18th century, enduring historic ties between the United States and the United Kingdom have lasted through the centuries. Elizabeth’s 70-year reign coincided with the tenure of 14 presidents across the Atlantic, some of whom made specific state visits to meet her specifically.

President Donald Trump was one of those presidents, and he spoke about his experience there with author Susan Page in a book that will be published on April 14. In the book, Trump told Page about one conversation with Queen Elizabeth he never forgot. 

“I said, ‘So could I ask you who was your favorite president?'” Trump recalled.

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The Queen purportedly replied, “Why? They were all so good.”

“I know, but did you like Ronald Reagan the best?” Trump pushed.

“Oh, yes, I liked him very much, but they were all good,” she said.

After asking her about former President Richard Nixon as well and getting a similar response, Trump asked, “So what do you mean, you liked them all?”

“I liked them all. I can’t say anything bad about any of them. They were great,” the Queen said.

Trump then recalled pivoting to ask about British prime ministers, asking if Winston Churchill was her favorite.

“No, no, no. He was wonderful, Winston. But they were all so good. They worked so hard. They were very different, but they worked so hard. They were all so good,” the Queen replied.

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Trump was reportedly dazzled by her graceful social tact.

“I said to myself, ‘How genius is this?’” he told the author. “I couldn’t get her to say a bad thing about anybody. She was amazing, actually. And not for any reason other than I don’t think she wanted to create controversy. It was unnecessary.”

“For Trump, she prompted a rare moment of self-reflection,” Page wrote.

“I hate to say this because it’s very disparaging to myself. She was sort of the opposite of me. She didn’t mix it up,” Trump admitted. “She was there for so many decades, and she literally never made a mistake, if you think about it. I mean, everyone was making mistakes around her, but she never made a mistake.”

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Keith Hernandez reveals startling amount of annual ‘Seinfeld’ residuals

If Keith Hernandez ever decides to stop calling New York Mets games, he will always have another source of income.

The team’s legendary former first baseman became a broadcaster for the team in 1999 and is a multi-time local Emmy winner for his skills on the mic. But after he hung up the cleats, he tested out his acting skills.

Hernandez was one of numerous New York baseball stars to appear on “Seinfeld,” playing himself in three episodes. His most famous appearance, though, came in the two-part episode, “The Boyfriend,” in 1992, when he becomes a love interest to Elaine despite Kramer’s and Newman’s grudge against him stemming from a spitting incident on June 14, 1987.

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The episode prompted Hernandez’s infamous line, “I’m Keith Hernandez.” Two documentaries about him have even used the line for the title.

Due to the massive success of the episode, Hernandez still receives some nice residuals.

“It varies, but I can tell you that on an annual basis I’m getting close to $5,000 still. It’s the gift that keeps giving,” Hernandez told the “SI Media Podcast.” “Remember one thing: I was the guest star.”

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Former New York Yankees outfielder Paul O’Neill also appeared in a famous episode, “The Wink,” in Season 7, where Kramer (played by Michael Richards) promises a boy in the hospital that he would get the right fielder to hit two home runs in a game in an effort to get back a birthday card for George Steinbrenner, signed by members of the Yankees, that he had sold.

O’Neill revealed in 2024 that he, too, still gets residuals, but they’re not nearly on the same level as Hernandez’s.

“Yeah, they’re like 57 bucks,” O’Neill said while calling a Yankees game. “It’s not big time. It’s a good reminder, though, that you were on the show. It’s kinda cool.”

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In addition to O’Neill, Yankees players Derek Jeter, Bernie Williams and Danny Tartabull and manager Buck Showalter also appeared on the series, while a stunt double was used for Steinbrenner, who was voiced by co-creator Larry David — the real Steinbrenner did film a scene that was never used.

Social media erupts after Pritzker video resurfaces amid college student’s murder

Illinois’ Democratic Governor JB Pritzker recently highlighted the calm of Chicago’s shore with Lake Michigan in a video he posted across his social media platforms — a nearby area where an illegal alien shot and killed a college student last week.

“Lots of runners coming by,” Pritzker said in a video he posted to Facebook last September.

“Lakefront path, Lakefront Trail — absolutely gorgeous. Just gorgeous. Look at that overpass. A great lakefront.”

The tone of the resurfaced clip clashes with the death of Sheridan Gorman, an 18-year-old Loyola University student who was shot to death near Tobey Prinz Beach Park, an area included in Chicago’s Police District 24.

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Pritzker’s walk went viral on social media when several viewers online criticized the governor for his characterization of the shoreside area.

“Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker & Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson haven’t posted anything about the murder of Sheridan Gorman, allegedly at the hands of a Venezuelan illegal alien,” Fox News Congressional Correspondent Bill Melugin posted on X. “Last year, Pritzker made a video from the lakefront she was killed at, mocking claims that it wasn’t safe.”

“Governor JB Pritzker posted this video of the Chicago lakeside to brag about how safe it is. Sheridan Gorman was just killed there by a Venezuelan immigrant his state law PROTECTED,” End Wokeness, a popular conservative account, wrote in a X post.

“> crosses the border illegally > released into the country by Biden > arrested for shoplifting > released back onto the street > murders an innocent girl,” former Trump White House staffer Greg Price wrote.

“Pritzker posted this video bragging about how safe Chicago’s lakeside is — right where Sheridan Gorman was just killed by a Venezuelan illegal his state law protected. Unreal,” another account wrote.

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The area has improved in the categories of thefts, burglary and motor vehicle theft in recent years, according to recent police reports. However, reporting for murder, sexual assaults and aggravated battery have gone up, according to crime stats from March.

District 24 has reported three murder cases, 19 sexual assaults and 32 aggravated battery incidents so far in 2026.

The district has the second-most murders of any district of the six districts included in Chicago’s Area 3, which covers a significant chunk of the city’s northern side.

In Gorman’s case, authorities charged Jose Medina, a Venezuelan national, with her murder.

According to the Department of Homeland Security, Medina had already been apprehended for shoplifting in Chicago but had been released in June 2023.

Even before that, Medina had been apprehended by U.S. Border Patrol in May 2023. He was also allowed to walk free then.

“Sheridan Gorman had her whole life ahead of her before this cold-blooded killer decided to end her life. She was failed by open border policies and sanctuary politicians who RELEASED this illegal alien TWICE before he went on to commit this heinous murder,” Acting Assistant DHS Secretary Lauren Bis said in a statement.

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“We are calling on Governor J.B. Pritzker and Chicago’s sanctuary politicians to commit to not releasing this criminal illegal alien from jail back into American neighborhoods.”

The office of Governor Pritzker did not respond to a request for comment on the Chicago shoreside area and its crime rates.

Ryan Gosling shoutout sends small-town bakery into frenzy with overwhelming orders

A small Florida bakery is having a Hollywood moment — and a surge of orders — after actor Ryan Gosling gave it an unexpected plug on late-night television.

The buzz began when Gosling appeared on “Late Night with Seth Meyers” and raved about a Tallahassee shop known for its homemade pastries.

The actor singled out The Cake Shop — praising its Pop Tart-style treats and urging viewers to try them.

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Gosling’s connection to the bakery came through a personal link: The sister of “Saturday Night Live” wardrobe supervisor Donna Richards owns the shop. 

During his interview with Meyers, Gosling joked that the pastries were a staple behind the scenes when he hosted “Saturday Night Live.”

“She owns a bakery in Florida in Tallahassee, and they make the most incredible Pop Tarts,” Gosling said. “You have to order these Pop Tarts.”

Gosling added that Richards “gives them to you at the beginning of the show, like when you start hosting, so you’re just running on Pop Tarts the whole time.”

“It was a total shock.”

The unexpected endorsement quickly turned into a business boom.

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The bakery was flooded with calls and requests for the sweet treats, Tallahassee TV station WCTV reported.

“It was a total shock,” owner Linda Richards told WCTV, describing the sudden spike in attention and demand.

The Cake Shop’s pastry is called the “Popped” Tart.

Richards said Gosling asked for the strawberry flavor; but the treats also come in blueberry, cinnamon, and peanut butter and jelly.

The Cake Shop has been operating in Florida’s capital city for over 25 years. The bakery is known for its homemade desserts and classic recipes, with a menu ranging from cakes and cookies to specialty pastries.

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Richards is the daughter of a chef who cooked for their family of six, sparking her interest in baking, according to the bakery’s website.

She “has brought many family recipes to the bakery’s repertoire,” including oatmeal raisin cookies, “Monkey Pies” and her “famous” chocolate chip cookies “just like Grandma used to make.”

But even for a well-established business, a celebrity mention can act like rocket fuel.

Mom-and-pop shops don’t often get this kind of national exposure — and when they do, the results can be immediate.

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In this case, timing added another twist: The bakery had been closed for spring break in the college town when Gosling’s comments aired, so staff returned to a wave of pent-up demand.

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For The Cake Shop, it’s a sweet problem to have.

“I was blown into another universe,” Richards told WCTV. 

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“I mean, that’s huge.”

Fox News Digital reached out to Richards for further comment.