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.
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.
US tells Qatar to boot Hamas if deal rejected • US hands Gaza dock to Israel • Bibi reveals vision for future Gaza • IDF is operating north of Tulkarm, Gaza
Academic Seyed Hossein Mousavian has been accused of having a role in assassinations of over 20 Iranian dissidents.
According to the report, repositioning forces will allow the US to avoid restrictions on conducting airstrikes from an air base used by the US in the United Arab Emirates.
Iran seized the container ship, MSC Aries, with a crew of 25, in the Strait of Hormuz in April, days after Tehran vowed to retaliate for a suspected Israeli strike on its consulate in Damascus.
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