The Islamic Republic of Iran today is a Shiite Islamic republic with a Sunni minority under a theocratic regime which is ruled by President Hassan Rouhani since 2013. Historically, it is home to some of the world's oldest civilizations including the Persian empire. Since the 1979 Islamic revolution Iran has become more and more conservative.
North Korea and Iran have long been suspected of cooperating on ballistic missile programs, possibly exchanging technical expertise and components that went into their manufacture.
Iran has also seized other vessels in international waters in recent years, heightening risks for merchant shipping in the area.
Essa Al-Nassr, member of the Gulf state’s legislative body and a brigadier general at the Emiri Guard, gets ovation as he makes bigoted accusations against Jews and promises the end of Israel.
An Iranian politician, a former lawmaker, said "it is not just about cracking down on women who violate the dress code.
The Iranian attack threatened to escalate into a regional war between the two arch-foes, Iran (and its proxies) and Israel (with the backing of its main ally, the United States).
Iran launched more than 300 drones and missiles on Israel in what it said was retaliation against a suspected Israeli bombing of its embassy compound in Damascus.
"Long live the resistance. Long live freedom. Long live the indomitable brave women of Iran," said Iranian activist Narges Mohammadi.
The message was reiterated in both French and Hebrew. Tagged on the post were US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, along with the French, Italian, German, and British foreign ministers.
Tehran openly targeted Israel for the first time on April 13 with more than 300 missiles and drones in what it said was retaliation for Israel's suspected deadly bombing of its embassy compound.
The Iranians scheduled each of the separate launches so the weapons would arrive at the same time to overwhelm Israel’s defense systems.