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.
The US sanctioned a Houthi network tied to Iran and Russia for smuggling "tens of millions of dollars worth" of weapons and stolen Ukrainian grain, from Crimea to Yemen.
Macron held a meeting on Iran’s nuclear program amid rising US tensions. Europe is pushing for a new deal with Iran by August.
Moscow may think that it can link a Ukraine deal to a deal that will also help Iran.
Khazali claims the goal of the ‘David Corridor’ is to “reach the Kurdish lands in Iraq and Syria, considering the ongoing cooperation [between Israel and the Kurds]."
The Trump administration believes direct talks would have a higher chance of success but does not rule out the format proposed by the Iranians.
Initial American strikes have already eroded Houthi military capabilities while the Houthi leadership structure suffers from inherent weaknesses.
Parts that had been procured through the scheme were reportedly found in a drone used by Russian forces in Ukraine.
The finance network centers around Muhammad Qasir, the brother of Nasrallah's son-in-law Hassan Qasir.
This comes as both countries are at a crossroads. Syria is trying to unify itself after years of civil war while both countries face threats from ISIS.
Iran is saying it has a right to develop all the components to build a bomb, and if the US tries to stop it, then Iran will build a bomb.
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