Iran, the second-largest country in the Middle East, is a multi-ethnic Islamic theocracy with the ultimate decision maker being the country's prime religious authority, its Supreme Leader. It infuses elements of democracy, such as an elected president. With one of the longest and storied histories of civilization, the current Islamic Republic of Iran was established by Ruhollah Khomeini in 1979 following the Islamic Revolution. Kohmeini became Iran's first Supreme Leader.
Iran is considered authoritarian in its suppression of rights for women and children and the violent squandering of opposing political protests.
Strategically located between the water bodies of the Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Oman and the Caspian sea, it is bordered by key middle-eastern players, such as Turkey, Afghanistan and Iraq.
Iran holds the world's second-largest natural gas supply as well as a massive oil reserve, a key element often discussed in its role in international relations and political leverage.
Before 1979, Iran maintained friendly relations with Israel via pro-Western leader Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. However, after the Islamic Revolution, Iran severed all ties with Israel and by the 1990s relations turned hostile.
Iran has escalated its nuclear technology development over the years while also funding and supporting Islamic-extremist proxy groups much closer to Israel, such as Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) and Hezbollah.
The IDF intercepted a drone headed towards Israel "from the east" overnight.
Passed last month after a lengthy delay following the ‘Woman, Life, Freedom’ protests, a new law in Iran increases punishments for women who don’t wear the hijab.
As Israel faces an increasingly contested regional environment, it is indeed worrying that the government overseen by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appears to lack clear strategic direction.
Transportation Minister Miri Regev gave the first official confirmation that Israel launched a retaliatory strike on Iran following the Islamic Republic's drone and missile attack on April 14.
Gaza deal not secure yet • Hamas delegation in Cairo for hostage deal talks • IDF strikes targets in Gaza • IDF kills terror cell in Tulkarm
Under Khamenei, Iran has experienced an alarming intensification of state control and a severe curtailment of personal freedom, unmatched in its modern history.
As Iran pushes Islamic countries to cut ties with Israel, they may be using Bahraini resistance group to destabilize region.
The meeting took place on the sidelines of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in The Gambia and also included meetings with Saudi Arabia and Indonesia, Iranian media said.
Israel has already tested its air defense against Iranian drones and missiles, but what are Hezbollah's air defense capabilities?
From one day in the Iranian army, D. cannot tell much - except that the food in the IDF has superior food.
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