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.
Iran's stock of uranium enriched to up to 60% has continued to grow and is now roughly enough for two nuclear bombs, one of the two confidential quarterly reports to member states showed.
Iran’s goal in this case appears to be to extend its influence to more countries in Africa.
If Iran escalates conflict, Israel would be forced to retaliate, leading to a potentially devastating full-scale war.
Before analyzing how these moves mix together, one must look closely. As is often with the ayatollahs, there is more than meets the eye.
The journalist took a photo of Mahsa Amini's parents huffing each other in a Tehran hospital where their daughter was lying in a coma.
The drone wars unfolding over the skies of Ukraine and Moscow illustrate how drones are the go-to weapon now for use in complex future wars.
Azerbaijan is “a friendly state, a key state with a lot of areas of cooperation,” said Herzog.
Saudi Arabia, the kingpin of OPEC, and Iran announced in March that they would restore diplomatic relations after years of hostility, in a deal brokered by China, the world's No. 2 oil consumer.
Iran has supplied hundreds of armed kamikaze drones to Russia, which Moscow uses to terrorize Ukrainian civilians.
A source in the Iranian justice system told the Iranian outlet "Tasnim" that the group planned to carry out terrorist acts and assassinations on various targets.
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