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.
"We in the Islamic Republic of Iran are aware of the danger of this conspiracy ... we warn others not to fall into the trap of enemies," Iran's ambassador to Beirut wrote on X.
Iran is hedging and hopes China and shore up its support for the Islamic Republic.
As Azerbaijan’s regional influence grows, Iran sees a threat to its strategic axis from the Levant to the Caucasus.
The secretary of state emphasized that peace with the Islamic Republic was still a ways off, but that the US was committed to preventing the spread of a wider conflict in the Middle East.
Whilst Amina's condition is stable and she is speaking freely, she has limited use of her left leg and her left hand is non-functional, her father said.
JPost reveals for the first time the full extent of the debates between Israel's political and security echelons over striking in Tehran.
The US and Iran prepare to hold a third round of talks this weekend on a possible deal to reimpose restraints on Tehran's nuclear program.
Iraq is having elections in November, and even though the day is far off, chaos is unfolding in the discussion about the lists ahead of the vote.
The new agreement comes after Iran and Russia also signed one as well. This is how Iran hedges in its current posture. The country has re-oriented itself toward the east.
Former foreign ministry official says the talks are a “litmus test” for diplomacy and “an opportunity for both sides to gauge each other’s positions beyond media narratives and rhetoric.”
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