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"Iranian national football team held training session ahead of their friendly match against Costa Rica in Antalya. Footage filmed on Monday shows players performing warm-up exercises, as well as playing a scrimmage on a full-size pitch. Iran is taking part in a four-team friendly tournament in Turkey as part of its preparations for the 2026 World Cup, amid significant controversy surrounding its participation in the edition to be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The friendly tournament also features Nigeria, Jordan, and Costa Rica. Tensions in the Middle East have escalated following joint military operations carried out by the US and Israel against Iran on February 28, at a time when diplomatic talks were underway aimed at 'limiting Iran’s nuclear and missile programs'. Tehran responded by launching strikes targeting Israeli and US military sites across the region, with reports of explosions in several Gulf countries. It was announced that Iran's Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, had been killed, and his son, Mojtaba Khamenei, was chosen as a successor. The confrontations also extended to Hezbollah in Lebanon, after it announced its intervention in the war 'in vengeance' for the Iranian leader, while shipping routes in the region, including the Strait of Hormuz, became exposed to risks following its closure. The escalation also drove oil prices above 100 USD per barrel, increasing pressure on global markets and sparking protests in several countries. "
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