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.
FBI: While there are no indications of a coordinated Iranian-linked malicious cyber campaign so far, organizations should ensure their defenses are up to date.
Hours before Operation Rising Lion, Israel was making additional preparations -- secretly moving its fleet of planes from Ben-Gurion to airports in Cyprus, Greece, and the US.
The six-word post — “قاآنی جاسوس ما نیست.” (“Qaani is not our spy.”) — appeared under the handle @MossadSpokesman early Monday afternoon.
It is also suspected that they were instructed to assassinate a person whose details are not known.
IAEA chief Rafael Grossi on Sunday said that Iran could be producing enriched uranium within a few months, raising doubts about the impacts of US strikes.
Trump also reiterated his assertion that the United States had "totally OBLITERATED" Tehran's nuclear facilities.
Reza Pahlavi lacks the internal support structure and organizational mechanisms required to coordinate a successful uprising from within.
What Blinken’s essay leaves out is that Obama employed weak negotiating tactics that allowed Tehran to evade several key issues.
Rockets attack targets Iraqi military airbase in Kirkuk • Iran says usual cooperation with UN nuclear watchdog cannot go forward • US State Dept OKs sale of $510 million for Israel
The Mossad message cautioned ordinary Iranians: “You may keep watching our content, but for your own safety, please avoid following the page or reacting to our posts.”
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![Iranian flag and cyber code [Illustrative]](https://images.jpost.com/image/upload/q_auto/c_fill,g_faces:center,h_178,w_290/433124 "Iran-linked hackers threaten to release Trump aides' emails")
