NBC News · updated 2026-07-14

Financial Times: 2024 Acquisition of Chinese Satellite Gave Iran Unprecedented Visibility of Potential Targets

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“Iran "has emerged as a military power after years of effort”

covered 2026-07-14 ▶ Be on the air with NBC News

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Mojtaba Khamenei is widely seen as Iran's most powerful unelected figure.

Son of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, Mojtaba holds no official state title yet reportedly commands deep influence over the IRGC and Basij. Western analysts and Iranian opposition sources frequently name him as his father's likely successor.

Trump was the first U.S. president with no prior political or military service.

Every prior U.S. president had served in elected office or the military before reaching the White House. Trump came directly from real estate and reality TV, hosting NBC's 'The Apprentice' for 14 seasons before his 2016 run.

The 2015 Iran nuclear deal freed over $100B in frozen assets!

The JCPOA, signed under Obama, froze Iran's nuclear program for sanctions relief. Trump withdrew the U.S. in 2018. Full history at Wikipedia

Topic poll · all networksHow should the U.S. respond to Iran's growing military power?

  • Pursue direct diplomacy now 0%
  • Tighten economic sanctions 0%
  • Strengthen regional alliances 0%
  • Let allies take the lead 0%

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Topic poll · all networksWho bears most responsibility for Iran's 2024 satellite acquisition?

  • China — sold the technology 0%
  • Iran — drove the agenda 0%
  • Western intel failures 0%
  • All parties equally 0%

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Topic poll · all networksHow credible is Iran's claim it has become a military power?

  • Very credible — backed by facts 0%
  • Somewhat credible, but overstated 0%
  • Mostly propaganda, little proof 0%
  • Too soon to assess 0%

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