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.
All the suspects are originally from Iran, but some hold additional citizenship, Dutch and Danish, according to statements they gave to the police, but refused to comment on their charges.
In the wake of Sunday's Houthi missile attack on central Israel, here are five challenges Israel faces as it continues to confront Iran and its regional proxies.
Iran wants to push its pawns closer to Israel’s center, and throughout 2024 it has continued to accomplish this strategy.
Egypt is allegedly seeking to consolidate its strategic interests amid Houthi maritime attacks, which have significantly affected the Egyptian economy.
Araqchi said on Wednesday that Tehran had not delivered any ballistic missiles to Russia and sanctions imposed on Iran by the US and three European powers would not solve any problems between them.
Tehran denies its satellite activities are a cover for ballistic missile development and says it has never pursued the development of nuclear weapons.
Iran has reportedly commissioned criminal networks in Eastern Europe and Canada to attack targets throughout the West and Middle East.
The Theodore Roosevelt carrier strike group has now departed the Middle East and is headed to the Asia-Pacific region.
The IDF's General Staff Reconnaissance Unit destroyed a Syrian underground missile factory built by Iran, a significant blow to their covert operations.
Iran's foreign minister denied supplying ballistic missiles to Russia, criticizing US and E3 sanctions as ineffective.
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