New Delhi, March 11 -- Iran has officially ruled out competing in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali delivering a firm rejection tied to the ongoing conflict with the United States and Israel.

In a statement broadcast on state television Wednesday, Donyamali pointed directly to the US-led actions that resulted in the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. "Considering that this corrupt regime [the US] has assassinated our leader, under no circumstances can we participate in the World Cup," he declared.

The minister highlighted severe safety issues amid the war, which started February 28 with joint US-Israeli strikes. Casualties have mounted rapidly, with over 1,255 killed and more than 12,000 wounded ...