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.
In the unfolding drama of US–Iran diplomacy, Israel again plays the role of anxious bystander.
"I told him this would be inappropriate to do right now because we're very close to a solution now," Trump told reporters.
This comes after five rounds of nuclear talks between the US and Iran, where the two powers have clashed over red lines.
Iran is increasingly seeking to be part of this new world order, in which non-Western countries work together against America and the West.
Moldova's Foreign Minister Mihai Popsoi also accused Russia of testing its destabilization tactics in Moldova before exporting them elsewhere.
A United Nations report from January stated that the number of people executed in Iran rose to 901 in 2024, including 31 women.
Iranian domestic instability should be allowed to continue without interference from the US or rescue diplomacy.
Trump’s message to Netanyahu was that “this is not the time to escalate the situation while he is trying to resolve the issues.”
Gholamreza Qassemian posted a video in which he heavily criticized Saudi Arabia for enabling moral corruption in the kingdom.
IDF announces deployment of new drone boats • Houthi missiles trigger sirens in W. Bank • Father of released hostage says Trump must put pressure on Netanyahu
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