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.
Returning to the accords and animating the idea of shared prosperity would unify Arab countries and break down the resistance of those who were skeptical.
The intelligence community assessed that the one-way attack drone was Iranian in origin.
The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff told a House panel that “from a time of Iranian decision,” the Islamic Republic could produce fissile material for a nuclear weapon in less than two weeks.
The US recently targeted Iran's unmanned aerial vehicle industry over its supply of drones to Russia.
Netanyahu and his British counterpart Rishi Sunak are expected to discuss strengthening the strategic ties between Israel and the United Kingdom and increasing security and intelligence cooperation.
The defendants, all fugitives at large, used their companies the Iran-based Aran Modern Devices Kish Company, and UAE-based Modern Technologies for the conspiracy.
My fifth annual list of favorite books on Israeli, Jewish and other matters, ranging from diplomacy to Torah commentary.
The re-establishment of ties between Riyadh and Damascus would mark the most significant development yet in moves by Arab states to normalize ties with Assad
Iran-Saudi deal doesn’t necessarily signal a whole new ball game in the Middle East, as some folks might claim; however, there has been a shift in the balance of power.
Earlier this month, Iran and Saudi Arabia agreed to re-establish relations.
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