Investigative journalist Matthew Vadum joined anchor Ruby Barlow on NewsX World’s World Report on July 5, 2026, to break down the enormous funeral processions for Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Trump’s candid reaction to the scale of public mourning.

Vadum described Khamenei as an “evil man” and noted it was unfortunate the recent conflict could not be pressed further. He addressed the surprise among many observers that large crowds turned out despite long-standing predictions of widespread discontent with the regime.

The panel also included Professor Aftab Kamal Pasha, who discussed Iranian national unity, resilience against sanctions and external pressure, and implications for future U.S.-Iran negotiations.

Watch the full segment here:

Matthew Vadum returned to NewsX World, appearing with anchor Asuma Kataoka, to analyze President Trump’s trip to the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, his bilateral meetings, and the prospects for peace in Ukraine.

Vadum outlined Trump’s optimism following recent discussions with Putin and Zelenskyy, while noting the summit’s backdrop of fresh Russian strikes on Kyiv. He assessed Trump’s working relationships across the alliance—positive with Secretary General Mark Rutte and host Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, workable with Starmer and Macron, but strained with others amid disputes over defense spending, the Iran conflict, and the Greenland controversy.

Watch the full segment here: