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.
Salehi's case has received worldwide attention as the Islamic regime in Iran continues to threaten activists with severe sentences.
Iran wants US-China relations to get worse and it is also seeking to exploit the war in Gaza to create a new regional and world order.
He was quoted as saying the crew would be turned over to their ambassadors in Tehran. The reports did not say when this would occur.
Washington also targeted two companies and a vessel involved in the shipment of Iranian commodities.
On Thursday, the EU parliament voted to condemn Iran, showing its support for Israel and acknowledging the role Iran plays in destabilizing the region.
Iran appears to have replaced a damaged radar with a different, incompatible radar in order to hide the impact of the strike.
Former Shin Bet officer Yossi Amrosi discussed the Iran attack, emphasizing the need for a heavy and powerful response.
A few days after the attack attributed to Israel in Isfahan, the Iranian president sent a threat towards the Jewish state if they carry out an attack against the IRGC.
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.