U.S. Special Forces soldiers are advising and supporting Ecuadorian commandos on raids across the country against suspected drug shipment facilities and other drug-related sites.

They were from Nebraska, Florida, Iowa and Minnesota. One was wrapping up his final deployment and hoped to open a martial arts studio.

If Mojtaba Khamenei is chosen by Iran’s senior clerics, it may signal a victory for hard-liners, an analyst said.