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.
Recent strikes into central Israel hint that Iran has refined its attack strategy, leveraging both direct launches and supplying missiles to Yemen's Houthis.
The Houthis are one example where precision strikes on infrastructure such as ports may not work to win the conflict.
Houthis fire missile at Tel Aviv • Netanyahu says Hamas must be removed before ceasefire • US pushes for stabilization in Syria
"You will never be alone again in your fight for freedom and to preserve the country and the land and the heritage that God gave you," Huckabee said.
Netanyahu is set to cement his strategic goals: tightening his military control over Gaza, thwarting Iran's nuclear ambitions, and capitalizing on the dismantling of Tehran's allies.
IDF operates in West Bank • Katz not present at IDF HQ during Yemen strike • CAIR leader praised October 7 massacre • IDF ordered to conclude October 7 probes by end of January
"Ihre Geste ist tiefgreifend, ihr Opfer ist bahnbrechend," sagt der Künstler Alexsandro Palombo.
Die IDF bestätigten, dass sich die Operation ausschließlich auf militärische Ziele konzentrierte und Atom- und Ölanlagen mied, um eine Eskalation des Konflikts zu verhindern.
“The United States is committed to targeting Iran’s key revenue streams that fund its destabilizing activities,” Bradley Smith.
IRGC founder to 'Post': “Khamenei is actually the same as Bashar Assad - a brutal dictator who has war crimes on his hands."
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