Iran
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.
From Tehran to Moscow: How antisemitic regimes weaponize anti-Zionist Jews - opinion
Their goal is to sever identity from peoplehood and peoplehood from sovereignty. Iranian Jews today are walking a tightrope similar to the one Soviet refuseniks walked decades ago.
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Why Hamas can keep fighting without Iran, and what that means for Israel - opinion
Iranian reformists request Israel's help with regime change - report
Several members of Iran's reformist movement reportedly requested Israel's support for a regime change process during the first week of Operation Rising Lion.
Khamenei survived, but he shouldn’t have: why Israel’s Iran campaign remains incomplete - opinion
Given the two missteps Israel made in what was otherwise a golden moment of historic triumph, there is a sense that the job, is not done.
From Tel Aviv shelters to Venice biennale: Fred Kuwornu’s global mission to tell forgotten stories
2025 Dan David Prize laureate Fred Kudjo Kuwornu rewrites history with his documentary ‘We Were Here’.
Iran's Khamenei attends event, in first public appearance in weeks, Iranian state media shows
This is the first time that the supreme leader has been seen since the start of the 12 day war.
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Iran has that Iranian dissident groups are present in the Kurdistan region.
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You are God’s army, bringing justice against Iran’s evil rulers, as foretold in Jeremiah 49:38-39, which promises judgment on Elam (modern Iran) and the restoration of its people.
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The reality is that the silent majority of Israelis have either been neutralized by the government’s published justifications of the war or are not prepared to face the consequences of their inaction
Iran's secular Persian identity is reawakening - opinion
Since the revolution, Iran has tried to portray itself as a “moral state,” opposing “Zionist occupation” and “Western imperialism.”
Khamenei seen in first public appearance since war, Hostage negotiation team to fly to Doha Sunday
Cabinet meets to discuss hostage negotiations • Ben-Gvir decries hostage deal proposal • Hamas requests 'unacceptable' changes to Gaza deal, PMO says
IRGC kills one woman, wounds 12 in Iran while looking for 'Israeli spies,' human rights group says
The report from the Islamic Republic-backed news source claims that the five spies were foreign nationals and "directly affiliated with the Zionist regime's intelligence services."
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