The clerical body tasked with selecting the next supreme leader has reached a decision but the name hasn’t been announced, Iranian media reported.
Day: March 8, 2026
#CIA #news this week – Google Search google.com/search?q=cia+news…
This week, the CIA has been heavily involved in the intensifying conflict with #Iran, tracking top leadership prior to U.S.-Israeli strikes and dealing with security threats to its own facilities. A CIA station in Saudi Arabia was hit by a suspected Iranian drone on March 2, amid reports of intelligence operatives exploring talks to end the war. [1, 2, 3]
Key CIA News (Week of March 2, 2026):Iran Operations: The CIA tracked Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei for months, providing intelligence for the U.S.-Israeli attack on March 7 that resulted in his death ABC7 San Francisco.
Saudi Arabia Station Attack: A CIA station at the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh was damaged by a suspected Iranian drone on March 2. The incident occurred during retaliatory strikes following the initial U.S.-Israeli operation U.S. News & World Report.
Backchannel Talks: Amidst the escalation, reports indicated that some Iranian intelligence operatives signaled an openness to talks with the CIA to end the conflict U.S. News & World Report.
Regional Instability: Following the attacks on Iran, The Washington Post reports widespread retaliatory strikes against U.S. and regional targets.
Leadership Changes: In early January 2026, John Ratcliffe welcomed Josh Simmons as the new CIA General Counsel CIA (.gov). [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]AI can make mistakes, so double-check responses
[1] usnews.com/news/world/articl…
[2] washingtonpost.com/national-…
[3] usnews.com/news/world/articl…
[4] abc7news.com/live-updates/ir…
[5] cia.gov/stories/press-releas…— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) Mar 8, 2026
#FBI #KashPatel
Internal Personnel Changes: Reports indicated that FBI agents working in #counterintelligence, including Iran-related cases, were fired.
share.google/aimode/IqJRyK2Z…FBI Director Kash Patel fired or removed approximately a dozen agents and staff from the CI-12 counterintelligence unit, which specializes in monitoring threats from Iran. These firings occurred shortly before U.S. military operations against Iran, raising concerns about the loss of expertise. The employees were reportedly dismissed for their previous involvement in investigations regarding1 President Trump. [1, 2]
Key details regarding these personnel changes include:Targeted Unit: The dismissals focused on the CI-12 unit, which handles Iran-related intelligence.
Reasoning: Reports indicate the staff were fired due to their participation in the investigation into1 President Trump’s handling of classified documents at Mar-a-Lago.
Context: The actions took place just before U.S. strikes on Iran, causing concerns about weakened national security capabilities.
Defense: FBI spokesperson Ben Williamson stated the agents were fired for acting “unethically” and violating their mission. [1, 2, 3]AI can make mistakes, so double-check responses
[1] instagram.com/reel/DVfZZLjAS…
[2] meng.house.gov/media-center/…
[3] washingtonpost.com/national-…— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) Mar 8, 2026
Ukraine on Sunday called on the Venice Biennale to keep Russia out of the prestigious art event after organizers said it could participate for the first time since launching its all-out invasion in 2022. “We call on the organizers of the Venice Biennale to reconsider their decision to allow the Russian Federation to return and to maintain the principled position demonstrated in 2022–2024,” Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga and Culture Minister Tetyana Berezhna said in a statement.
