Iran's Ambassador to the UN, Amir Saeid Iravani, described Israel's promise of a significant response to Iran's weekend attack as a threat and not an action. Following an emergency UN Security Council meeting in New York, Iran launched over 300 drones and missiles into Israel in retaliation to a strike on an Iranian consular building in Syria. Israel's war cabinet discussed possible retaliation, with Iran warning of further decisive actions if provoked. The conflict has raised fears of wider escalation in the Middle East region.
Israel and Iran accused one another at the United Nations of being the main threat to peace in the Middle East, with Israel calling on the Security Council to impose sanctions on Iran after Tehran's unprecedented attack on Israel. Iran launched a direct attack on Israel for the first time, firing over 300 missiles and drones in response to an air strike on Tehran's consulate building in Syria. Israel's UN Ambassador requested the designation of Iran's Revolutionary Guards as a terrorist organization and the reimposition of sanctions against Tehran.
Tensions between Israel and Iran have heightened following an airstrike on Iran's diplomatic compound in Damascus by Israel. Iran has vowed retaliation, prompting an exchange of threats between the two nations. The United States, Israel's ally, has also warned Iran of potential consequences.
Iran promises a response following a suspected Israeli missile attack on its consulate in Damascus, killing seven people including top commanders Mohammad Reza Zahedi and Mohammad Hadi Hajriahimi of the IRGC's Quds Force. This attack marks the first targeting of the embassy compound itself by Israel, a country known for targeting Irans military installations and proxies in Syria. Iran's Ambassador to Syria mentioned that Tehrans response would be decisive, with Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian calling it a violation of international obligations and blaming Israel for the attack.
Israel is on high alert following an airstrike on the Iranian consulate in Syria that killed several senior Iranian military officers. Iran blames Israel for the attack and has vowed to retaliate. Tensions are rising in the region, with many countries warning their citizens against visiting due to fears of an imminent Iranian attack and potential escalation of the war in Gaza. Iranian leaders have strongly criticized Israel's military actions in Gaza, with Tehran openly supporting attacks on Israelis. Human Rights Watch has verified videos showing Hamas violence, prompting calls for an investigation into war crimes.
The U.S. military has shot down dozens of ballistic and cruise missiles, along with attack drones, launched by Iran towards Israel. Leaders from countries like the UK, Canada, Germany, and the U.S. have condemned Iran's actions and expressed support for Israel's right to defend itself. President Biden announced a G7 meeting to coordinate a diplomatic response, and China expressed deep concern over the escalating situation, calling for calm and restraint to prevent further conflict.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant stated that Israel would respond directly to any attack by Iran, emphasizing that they will not tolerate an Iranian attack on their territory. This comes amidst concerns of a possible Iranian retaliatory attack following the killing of seven Iranians in an Israeli airstrike on Iran's consulate in Syria. US officials, including Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Commander of the US Central Command Michael Kurilla, have been in talks with Israeli counterparts to coordinate responses to a potential Iranian attack.
Iran conducted the largest drone attack in history and its biggest missile strike targeting Israel, in retaliation for an Israeli strike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus. This marked the first direct Iranian attack on Israel in almost 50 years, aiming to strengthen Iran's deterrence and fulfill vows of punishing aggressors. The operation, named True Promise, was carried out by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to demonstrate Tehran's resolve. The attack raises fears of a larger regional conflict and could impact Israel's war on Gaza.
Iran launched a large-scale attack with over 300 drones and missiles at Israel, resulting in some damage and injuries. The attack was in response to an airstrike that hit Iran's consulate in Damascus. Tensions remain high in the Middle East as Israel contemplates its response to the escalation, with approved operational plans for both offensive and defensive actions.
The US State Department restricts travel for government employees and their families outside major cities in Israel due to fears of an imminent Iranian attack following the destruction of the Iranian consulate in Syria. Iran's Supreme Leader vows to retaliate against Israel, prompting US General Michael Kurilla to visit Israel and review military capabilities. Missiles are feared to be launched on Israeli territory within 48 hours, escalating tensions. Russian and German airlines suspend flights to Iran, and global leaders express concern over the potential for wider conflict in the Middle East.
A 7-year-old girl named Amina al-Hassouni from Al-Fur'ah in southern Israel is in critical condition after being hit by shrapnel in an Iranian missile strike that escalated tensions in the Middle East. Iran launched 170 drones, 30 cruise missiles, and 120 ballistic missiles, with 99% intercepted by Israel. The attack, in response to an earlier strike in Syria, marks Iran's first direct military assault on Israel, sparking global concern. Western leaders including the US President condemned the attack, and the UK's RAF shot down Iranian drones. G7 leaders are coordinating a diplomatic response to prevent further escalation.
The United States has restricted travel for its employees in Israel due to concerns of a potential attack by Iran. Iran has blamed Israel for a recent strike on its consulate in Syria, prompting fears of retaliation. UK's Foreign Secretary has urged Iran to avoid further escalation. The US President has expressed support for Israel, warning of a possible significant attack from Iran. Diplomatic efforts are ongoing to prevent conflicts in the region. US officials have engaged in talks with Israeli counterparts on security threats, amidst heightened tensions.
The US has moved 'additional assets' to the Middle East amid growing threats of an attack on Israel from Iran following the killing of a senior officer in Iran's embassy in Syria. Joe Biden has warned Iran against an attack, with fears of retaliation escalating. Countries like France, Russia, and India have updated travel advice due to the threat. Israel braces for a potential Iranian response, with concerns over direct attacks. Iran's supreme leader has vowed punishment for Israel, escalating tensions in the region.
Iran launched armed drones and missiles at Israel in retaliation for a strike in Syria, resulting in most projectiles being intercepted with minor damage and injuries, prompting a phone call between US President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Iran claimed the attack was a defensive response and warned the US to stay away from the conflict. Multiple alarms sounded in Israeli cities, and US forces in the region successfully shot down Iranian-launched drones targeting Israel.
Israel cancels school trips and youth activities, places armed forces on full alert due to potential Iranian attack. President Biden cuts short weekend trip to discuss Middle East events after predicting Iranian attack against Israel. Tensions escalated after Iran vowed retaliation for Israel's attack in Damascus. Biden meets with national security team in response to ongoing airborne attack from Iran.
Iran vows to attack Israel in retaliation for an Israeli strike in Syria, leading to airlines canceling flights to and from Israel. United Airlines cancels flights and reevaluates future flights to Tel Aviv, while international airlines like El Al and Air France also cancel flights. Israeli aviation authorities close airspace in preparation for potential Iranian drone strike.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin expressed dissatisfaction to his Israeli counterpart over Israel's lack of prior notification before carrying out a strike on an Iranian site in Syria, heightening risks for American forces in the Middle East. The ongoing Israel-Gaza war, escalating tensions in the region, and the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip are major concerns. The US continues to support Israel despite tensions between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and some US politicians. The historical roots of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict fuel deep mistrust and complexity in the region.
{{User:RMCD bot/subject notice|1=2024 Iranian consulate airstrike in Damascus|2=Talk:2024 Israeli bombing of the Iranian embassy in Damascus#Requested move 2 April 2024}On 1 April 2024, an Israeli airstrike destroyed the Iranian consulate annex building adjacent to the Iranian embassy in Damascus, Syria, killing 14 people, including a senior Quds Force commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Zahedi and seven other IRGC officers.The airstrike occurred at a time of heightened tensions between Israel and Iran, and amid the formers war with Hamas and Hezbollah. Iran has vowed revenge for the attack.
AMMAN -- Jordan's Civil Aviation Regulatory Commission announced on Saturday a temporary closure of the country's airspace to all incoming, outgoing, and transit flights. The decision, effective from 11:00 pm local time (2000 GMT), aimed to maintain the safety and security of civil aviation within Jordanian airspace, following a comprehensive risk assessment based on international standards, according to state broadcaster Al Mamlaka TV. The commission stated that the closure would last for several hours and be subject to continuous updates and reviews in response to ongoing developments. The United States said it anticipated that, in response to the recent assault on its consulate in Damascus, Syria, Iran may execute retaliatory strikes against targets within Israel. Although Iran has declared its intent for retribution, it has not disclosed specific details regarding the timing or strategy of its "revenge.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin urged Israel to halt plans for a major ground offensive in southern Gaza to address the escalating humanitarian crisis and protect Palestinian civilians. Tensions have risen between the US and Israel over differing approaches to the conflict with Hamas, with the Biden administration emphasizing the importance of civilian safety and seeking alternative strategies to address the threat. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu's decision to cancel a high-level delegation visit in protest of a UN Security Council resolution has further strained relations. Discussions focus on finding solutions other than a ground invasion of Rafah.
Former Israeli Ambassador to the U S Ron Dermer discussed Israeli officials' dissatisfaction with the U S failure to veto a UN Security Council resolution calling for a cease-fire in Gaza, leading to strained U S -Israel relations. Israeli expert Caroline Glick criticized the U S for abandoning Israel during its conflict with Iran and proxies. The State Department referred to Matthew Miller's remarks explaining their concerns about the UN resolution. Meanwhile, the Israeli delegation left Qatar negotiations after Hamas rejected a hostage release proposal.
President Biden, surrounded by a small group of advisers, watched over 100 Iranian ballistic missiles heading towards Israel in real time, a moment of intense tension as the attack unfolded. The scope of the attack, including the use of ballistic missiles, surprised US officials. Despite anticipating an Iranian strike and preparing to defend Israel to the maximum extent, the potential for uncontrolled escalation was dangerously high. The Israeli ambassador was quickly brought to the White House during the attack, highlighting the close relationship between America and Israel despite disagreements over Gaza.
Iran launched a barrage of drones and missiles in its first direct attack on Israeli territory, with Israel successfully intercepting the majority of launches using the Arrow Aerial Defense System alongside its strategic allies The Arrow Defence System, developed in collaboration with the US, forms an upper tier in Israel's multi-layered air defence system, capable of intercepting short and medium-range missiles The objective of these defence systems is to neutralize incoming missiles before they reach Israeli territory The Iron Dome system was also actively deployed to intercept drones and short-range threats
The United States is warning Iran that if it or its proxies attack the United States or Israel, it will be held responsible. The warning came during a UN Security Council meeting Sunday in which the US condemned what it called Irans unprecedented drone and missile attack on Israel..
US and Israeli officials, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken and national security advisers, discussed concerns about a possible invasion of Rafah in Gaza during a virtual meeting. Israel agreed to consider US concerns and continue discussions, despite wanting to defeat Hamas in Rafah. Talks were initially delayed after Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu protested a UN Security Council resolution. Biden administration has faced backlash for arms transfers to Israel amid increasing criticism of civilian casualties in Gaza.
The relations between Iran and Israel are divided into four major phases: the ambivalent period from 1947 to 1953, the friendly period during the era of the Pahlavi dynasty from 1953 to 1979, the worsening period following the Iranian Revolution from 1979 to 1990, and the ongoing period of open hostility since the end of the Gulf War in 1991. In 1947, Iran was among 13 countries that voted against the United Nations Partition Plan for the British Mandate of Palestine. Two years later, Iran also voted against Israel's admission to the United Nations.Iran was the second Muslim-majority country to recognize Israel as a sovereign state after Turkey. After the 1953 coup d'état, which reinstalled the pro-Western leader Mohammad Reza Pahlavi as the Shah of Iran, relations between the two countries significantly improved.After the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Iran severed all diplomatic and commercial ties with Israel, and its theocratic government does not recognize the legitimacy of Israel as a state. The turn from cold peace to open hostility began in the early 1990s, shortly after the collapse of the Soviet Union and the defeat of Iraq in the Gulf War, after which relative power in the Middle East shifted to Iran and Israel. The conflict escalated in the early 1990s, as Yitzhak Rabin's government adopted a more aggressive posture on Iran. Rhetorical conflict heated up during the presidency of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who made inflammatory statements against Israel. Other factors that have contributed to the escalation of bilateral tensions include Iran's development of nuclear technology relative to Israel's long-stated Begin Doctrine, Iran's funding of Islamist groups such as Hezbollah, Palestinian Islamic Jihad and Hamas, as well as alleged involvement in terrorist attacks such as the 1992 attack on Israeli embassy in Buenos Aires and the 1994 AMIA bombing, and Israel's alleged support for militant groups such as the People's Mujahedin of Iran and Jundallah as well as alleged covert Israeli operations in Iran including multiple assassinations and bombings.Since 1985, Iran and Israel have been engaged in an ongoing proxy conflict that has greatly affected the geopolitics of the Middle East, and has included direct military confrontations between Iranian and Israeli organizations, such as in the 2006 Lebanon War. The conflict has played out in various ways, including through support for opposing factions in conflicts in Syria and Yemen. Iran has provided support to the Syrian government, while Israel has supported opposition groups. In Yemen, Iran has provided support to the Houthi rebels, while Israel has provided support to the Saudi-led coalition fighting the rebels. The conflict has also involved cyber attacks and sabotage against each other's infrastructure, including attacks on nuclear facilities and oil tankers. Overall, the Iran-Israel proxy conflict is a complex and ongoing conflict that has had a significant impact on the political and security dynamics of the Middle East.
The Iran–Israel proxy conflict, also known as the Iran–Israel proxy war or Iran–Israel Cold War, is an ongoing proxy conflict between Iran and Israel. In the Israeli–Lebanese conflict, Iran has supported Lebanese Shia militias, most notably Hezbollah. In the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Iran has backed Palestinian groups such as Hamas. Israel has supported Iranian rebels, such as the People's Mujahedin of Iran, conducted airstrikes against Iranian allies in Syria and assassinated Iranian nuclear scientists. In 2018 Israeli forces directly attacked Iranian forces in Syria.Motivated by the periphery doctrine, Imperial Iran and Israel had close relations, seeing Arab powers as a common threat. After the 1979 Islamic revolution, Iran cut off relations, but covert ties continued during the subsequent Iran–Iraq War. Iran trained and armed Hezbollah during Israel's 1982 invasion of Lebanon, and continued to back Shia militias throughout the Israeli occupation of Southern Lebanon. Even before 1979, Iranian Islamists had materially supported the Palestinians; after 1979 Iran attempted relations with the Palestine Liberation Organization, and later with Palestinian Islamic Jihad and Hamas. Israel fought a war with Hezbollah in 2006. Israel has fought several wars with Palestinians in and around the Gaza Strip: in 2008-2009, 2012, 2014, 2021 and 2023-2024. The 1982 Lebanon War and Israel–Hamas war have been the deadliest wars of the Arab–Israeli conflict.Various reasons have been given for the Iran-Israel conflict. Iran and Israel had previously enjoyed warm ties due to common threats, but by 1990s the USSR had dissolved and Iraq had been weakened. Iranian Islamists have long championed the Palestinian people, whom they perceive as "oppressed". Scholars believe that by supporting the Palestinians, Iran seeks greater acceptance among Sunnis and Arabs, both of whom dominate the Middle East. Ideologically, Iran seeks to replace Israel with a one-state solution (though Iran has at times also supported the two-state solution) and has predicted Israel's demise. Israel sees Iran as an existential threat, and accuses its regime of harboring genocidal intentions. Consequently, Israel has sought sanctions and military action against Iran to stop it from acquiring nuclear weapons.
This video can not be played This video has been removed for rights reasons. This video has been removed for rights reasons. Video, 00:00:10 This video has been removed for rights reasons Up Next. BBC Verify examines video from Iran's attack on Israel. Video, 00:00:58 BBC Verify examines video from Iran's attack on Israel 'A very long night for Israel and a dangerous moment' Video, 00:00:58 'A very long night for Israel and a dangerous moment' The view from Israel as Iran launches dozens of missiles.
President Joe Biden praised American forces for assisting Israel in intercepting nearly all of the drones and missiles launched by Iran. This marked the first direct military assault by Iran on Israel, escalating regional tensions. Biden assured unwavering support for Israel's defense, deploying military assets and coordinating with global allies. The conflict stemmed from retaliatory threats after an alleged Israeli strike in Syria killed Iranian generals. Biden held meetings with his national security team, increasing military presence in the region, emphasizing commitment to Israel's security against Iran and its proxies.
Iran's government celebrated a missile and drone attack on Israel, with supporters chanting 'Death to Israel' while lawmakers cheered in parliament. Ordinary Iranians experienced terror and panic, with many fleeing Tehran amid fears of retaliation. Streets in Tehran were filled with celebratory scenes, while residents queued at petrol stations and packed up belongings to escape potential targets. A resident expressed fear, calling the government's actions a gamble that could backfire, leaving the public to suffer the consequences.
President Biden reaffirmed US support for Israel amidst reports of an imminent Iranian attack following Israel's killing of a top Iranian commander in Syria. Fears of escalation in the Israel-Gaza conflict to a wider Middle East conflict persist. Israeli PM Netanyahu's statements added to concerns. General Michael 'Erik' Kurilla of US Central Command visited Israel to coordinate with defense officials after Iran threatened retaliation for an attack in Syria, where a top Iranian officer was killed. Iran's Supreme Leader called for punishment of Israel.
Six months into Israel's war on Gaza, the UN Security Council passed a ceasefire resolution with US abstention, signaling Israel's international isolation. US-Israel tensions are strained due to differing approaches to Gaza's future and humanitarian issues. India prepares to vote, with PM Modi expected to secure a historic third term. Israel's mass surveillance on Palestinians using facial recognition has been exposed. While US and Israel navigate domestic political pressures, there are signs of mature statesmanship in addressing the Gaza conflict.
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commandeered the Portugal-flagged MSC Aries near the Strait of Hormuz following tensions after an Israeli attack in Syria. The vessel, associated with the London-based Zodiac Maritime owned by Israeli billionaire Eyal Ofer, was guided towards Iranian territorial waters. Footage showed IRGC soldiers rappelling from a Soviet-designed helicopter. The UK-flagged ship, carrying 25 crew members, was en route from the UAE to India. Another Israeli-linked ship was recently attacked in the Indian Ocean, attributed to Iran, prompting international condemnation.
WASHINGTON -- US President Joe Biden told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a call on Saturday that the United States will oppose any Israeli counterattack against Iran, US news portal Axios reported, citing a senior White House official. "You got a win. Take the win," Biden told Netanyahu, thanking Israel, the United States, and other countries for their joint efforts, which failed Iran's attacks, according to the official. The official was quoted as saying that when Biden told Netanyahu that the United States would not participate in any offensive operations against Iran and would not support such operations, Netanyahu said he understood. Also on Saturday night, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke for the second time with his Israeli counterpart, Yoav Gallant, during which the Pentagon chief reiterated Washington's "ironclad" support for Israel's defense, Pentagon press secretary Pat Ryder said in a statement.
President Biden's policies of appeasing Iran and withholding consequences for its actions have emboldened Tehran to launch a massive attack on Israel, including ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and suicide drones. The US pressure on Israel to show restraint against Iran's proxies and the lack of severe consequences for Iran-backed groups like Hezbollah and the Houthis have normalized their attacks. Meanwhile, the US continues to provide sanctions relief to Iran, allowing its oil to flow freely to destinations like China.
TEHRAN - Head of the Hamas Political Bureau Ismail Haniyeh said on Tuesday that Israel's "unprecedented political isolation" was evident in the resolution adopted the day before by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, according to Iran's official news agency IRNA. He made the remarks at a joint press conference with Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian following their meeting in the Iranian capital Tehran earlier in the day. "The recent UN Security Council resolution is indicative of Israel's unprecedented political isolation and the United States also no longer has the will and ability to impose its demand on the international community. These show the unparalleled resistance of the Islamic resistance and Palestinian people," Haniyeh said. The Hamas leader stressed that despite heavy expenditures, Israel had failed to achieve its military objectives in Gaza and "is losing its political and international support".
Iran has supported Russia both diplomatically and militarily since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. It has voted against United Nations resolutions condemning Russia and has regularly delivered loitering munitions, chiefly the Shahed 131 and Shahed 136, to the Russian military. Several countries have accused Iran of violating United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231, which was adopted with full support of the sitting members in July 2015 and seeks to inspect the Iranian nuclear program in preparation for ending United Nations sanctions against Iran. Additionally, Ukraine and the United States, among others, have stated that Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has had a presence in Russian-occupied Crimea for the purpose of operating Shahed drones in attacks against Ukrainian cities. Some of these IRGC personnel have reportedly been killed by Ukrainian military strikes against Russian-occupied territory; the Iranian involvement in Russia's invasion has negatively impacted Iran–Ukraine relations while intensifying existing tensions between Iran and the United States.
Iran's recent drone and missile attacks on Israel have spurred a congressional effort to secure more aid for US allies. The House faces divisions on what type of aid package to consider, with a $95 billion national security package including aid to Ukraine, Taiwan, and Israel awaiting approval. Speaker Mike Johnson aims to pass some form of aid package for Israel, but uncertainties lie in garnering support within the GOP conference and addressing border security and Ukraine funding conditions.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has voiced worries about the high civilian death toll and insufficient humanitarian aid reaching Gaza during a meeting with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant in Washington. The UN Security Council recently passed a resolution for a ceasefire in Gaza, with the US abstaining from the vote. Despite tensions, Israel seeks more US weapons for its war efforts in Gaza, while the Biden administration considers conditioning military aid to Israel. More than 32,000 people have been killed in Gaza since October, with ongoing concerns about international humanitarian law violations.
Israeli forces conducted intense bombardment in the southern Gaza Strip overnight, with attacks in Rafah and Gaza City. The health ministry reported casualties including deaths and injuries, with thousands trapped in hospitals. Despite UN Security Council's resolution for immediate ceasefire, the fighting persists, leading to a high death toll and injuries in Gaza since October.
The House of Representatives, led by House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, is changing its legislative agenda to address the crisis in the Middle East. This shift includes considering legislation to support Israel in response to Iran's recent drone attack on Israel from Iranian soil. There are discussions on potential aid packages for Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan. Bipartisan calls for aid to Israel have emerged, urging swift action from the House.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cancelled a visit to Washington after the US did not veto a UN Security Council resolution on a Gaza ceasefire. The US and Israel are working to reschedule a meeting to discuss Israel's military operation in Gaza's Rafah. Netanyahu approved plans for a ground invasion of Rafah, despite concerns about civilian casualties. Tensions have escalated between the US and Israel, with disagreements over the Gaza conflict and an impending invasion of Rafah.
Former Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe joins Sunday Morning Futures to provide analysis of Irans unprecedented attack on Israel. Republicans have taken aim at President Biden in the wake of Iran's unprecedented attack on Israel, claiming the presidents "dont deterrence" has only emboldened Iran. "So much for President Biden telling bad guys Dont actually being an effective deterrent. Every time he says Dont,' they do," Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.
Former MI6 head Alex Younger expressed concerns over the collateral risks of Israel's actions in Gaza and criticized the UK government for continuing arms sales to Israel, despite calls to suspend them. Senior lawyers and judges warned of breaches of international law, and Conservative MPs advocated for stopping arming Israel after international aid workers, including British citizens, were killed in an Israeli airstrike. Former national security adviser Mark Lyall Grant highlighted the changing facts, including a potential risk of genocide in Gaza. The UN Security Council's ceasefire resolution was not adhered to by Israel, leading to a humanitarian crisis in the region.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office has agreed to reschedule a planned meeting with US and Israeli officials to discuss a possible operation in Rafah, confirmed by the White House. The rescheduled meeting, originally canceled by Netanyahu, is considered an urgent priority, following objections to the US abstaining from a UN Security Council vote for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
CAIRO -- Egypt, Jordan, and France on Monday urged an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, which has been under deadly Israeli siege and bombardment over the past six months. In a joint article, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi, Jordanian King Abdullah II, and French President Emmanuel Macron called for an immediate and unconditional implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2728, which demands an immediate ceasefire in the conflict-stricken enclave. "We warn against the dangerous consequences of an Israeli offensive on Rafah, where more than 1.5 million Palestinian civilians have sought refuge. Such an offensive will only bring more deaths and suffering, heighten the risks and consequences of mass forcible displacement of the people of Gaza and threaten regional escalation," said the leaders.
On 16 January 2024, Iran conducted a series of missile strikes in Pakistan, asserting that it had targeted militants of the Baloch separatist group Jaish ul-Adl in the Pakistani province of Balochistan. This attack occurred one day after a similar series of Iranian missile strikes in Iraq and Syria, which the Iranian government had stated were in response to the Kerman bombings by the Islamic State on 3 January. Pakistan's government condemned the strikes as an "unprovoked violation" of Pakistani airspace and stated that two children had been killed.Two days later, on 18 January, Pakistan conducted a retaliatory series of missile strikes in Iran, asserting that it had targeted militants of the Balochistan Liberation Army and the Balochistan Liberation Front in the Iranian province of Sistan and Baluchestan. Iran's government condemned the strikes and stated that nine people had been killed, including four children.Communicating through diplomatic channels on 19 January, both countries agreed to de-escalate and cooperate along the Iran–Pakistan border. Pakistan recalled the Iranian ambassador to Islamabad and reinstated the Pakistani ambassador in Tehran.Foreign Minister of Iran Hossein Amir-Abdollahian visited Pakistan on 29 January 2024 at the invitation of Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani in a push to diffuse the standoff.
Despite Israel's claims of a record number of aid trucks entering Gaza, UN and aid officials report little change on the ground as access to aid remains complicated and insufficient, with the majority of the population at risk of famine. Promised measures such as reopening crossings and coordinating with aid workers have yet to show significant results. The urgency for aid delivery is emphasized by the dire situation in Gaza, where over 33,500 people have been killed and 76,000 injured, with a majority of casualties being women and children.
An armed conflict between Israel and Hamas-led Palestinian militant groups has been taking place chiefly in and around the Gaza Strip since 7 October 2023, when Hamas launched a surprise attack on southern Israel from the Gaza Strip. After clearing Hamas militants from its territory, the Israeli military embarked on an extensive aerial bombardment of the Gaza Strip followed by a large-scale ground invasion beginning on 27 October. Clashes have also occurred in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and with Hezbollah along the Israel–Lebanon border. The hostilities constitute the fifth war of the Gaza–Israel conflict since 2008 and are part of the broader Israeli–Palestinian conflict. They are considered to be the most significant military escalation in the region since the Yom Kippur War 50 years earlier.The Hamas offensive involved 3,000 militants breaching the Gaza–Israel barrier and attacking Israeli communities and military bases. During this attack, 1,139 Israelis and foreign nationals were killed, while 253 Israelis and foreigners were taken captive to the Gaza Strip. The attack was proclaimed as a response to the continued Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories, the expansion of illegal Israeli settlements, the prospect of Arab–Israeli normalization, and the plight of Palestinian refugees and prisoners. In response, Israel declared a state of war, tightened its existing blockade of Gaza and launched one of the most severe bombing campaigns in history, before commencing the ground invasion on 27 October. Israeli forces laid siege to Gaza City on 2 November and moved south to attack Khan Yunis a month later on 3 December; both sieges remain ongoing. Israel's next objective is the capture of Rafah. An estimated 6,000-12,000 militants have been killed during the conflict, and Israel has lost over 200 soldiers during its invasion. A United Nations resolution calling for a humanitarian pause passed on 15 November; the seven-day truce took effect at the end of that month.A humanitarian crisis has developed in the Gaza Strip, with healthcare in a state of collapse, shortages of food, clean water, medicine and fuel due to the blockade, electricity and communications blackouts, and potential famine conditions. More than 30,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza during the conflict, including over 12,300 children and 8,400 women. Nearly all of Gaza's 2.3 million population have been internally displaced. The widespread civilian deaths have led to accusations of war crimes against both Israel and Hamas. In February 2024 576,000 people were "facing catastrophic levels of deprivation and starvation", stated The United Nations. More than 100 Palestinians were killed by Israeli troops that opened fire when huge crowds raced to pull goods off an aid convoy.The war has had significant international repercussions. Popular protests that primarily call for a ceasefire have occurred across the world. Israel's actions have been denounced by the Islamic world and much of the Global South; South Africa launched an International Court of Justice case alleging that Israel committed genocide. Israel has however received significant support from its traditional Western allies, especially the United States, which vetoed multiple UN Security Council resolutions calling for an immediate ceasefire. In response, Iran-backed militias have attacked American military bases in the Middle East, while the Yemeni Houthi movement attacked commercial ships they alleged were linked to Israel, incurring a military response from a number of countries.
The UN Security Council is reviewing the Palestinian Authority's application for full UN membership, a bid opposed by the US without statehood negotiations with Israel. Despite previous failed attempts, the PA seeks to be treated as equals among nations. The US remains staunch in its stance that a deal with Israel must precede full UN membership for Palestine. The application requires at least nine votes in the UNSC and a two-thirds majority in the UNGA for approval. Israel argues Palestinian statehood should only come through negotiations, with recent years seeing a shift away from a two-state solution.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has approved a new round of Gaza ceasefire talks to take place in Doha and Cairo amidst stalled negotiations following a UN Security Council resolution for an immediate ceasefire. The war between Hamas and Israel, initiated by Hamas' attack on Israel resulting in casualties on both sides, continues with little progress in negotiations. Meanwhile, tensions rise as the U.S. expresses concerns over Israel's plans to invade Rafah and the situation escalates at the Gaza-Egypt border crossing and in the diplomatic efforts to prevent full-scale war between Israel and Lebanon.
Prior to Iran's attack on Israel, a poll revealed that 34% of Americans think President Biden is not tough enough on Israel, with Democrats more likely to want him to toughen up. Additionally, 47% of the public support a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war, and 29% of respondents sympathize with Israel while 14% sympathize with the Palestinians. Furthermore, there is increasing pressure for Biden to encourage Israel to stop military actions in Gaza, and most Americans prefer the U.S. to support Israel in case of an Iranian attack.
John Kirby, White House national security communications adviser, attributed Iran's recent attacks on Israel to the policies of former President Trump, while the Biden administration has urged Israel against retaliatory strikes. Israel successfully defended itself from over 300 drones and missiles from Iran, with assistance from the US and other allies. Biden's team has permitted waivers on sanctions, including a recent approval for Iraq to purchase energy from Iran, potentially granting the terrorist regime access to $10 billion. Kirby defended Biden's approach, countering claims of being soft on Iran by pointing out Trump's withdrawal from the Iran deal and Iran's progress towards nuclear capabilities during his presidency.
Iran and the United States have had no formal diplomatic relations since 7 April 1980. Instead, Pakistan serves as Iran's protecting power in the United States, while Switzerland serves as the United States' protecting power in Iran. Contacts are carried out through the Iranian Interests Section of the Pakistani Embassy in Washington, D.C., and the US Interests Section of the Swiss Embassy in Tehran. In August 2018, Supreme Leader of Iran Ali Khamenei banned direct talks with the United States.Relations between the two nations began in the mid-to-late 19th century, when Iran was known to the west as Persia. Persia was very wary of British and Russian colonial interests during the Great Game. By contrast, the United States was seen as a more trustworthy foreign power, and the Americans Arthur Millspaugh and Morgan Shuster were even appointed treasurers-general by the Shahs of the time. During World War II, Persia was invaded by the United Kingdom and the Soviet Union, both US allies, but relations continued to be positive after the war until the later years of the government of Mohammad Mosaddegh, who was overthrown by a coup organized by the Central Intelligence Agency and aided by MI6. This was followed by an era of close alliance between Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi's regime and the US government, Persia being one of the US's closest allies, which was in turn followed by a dramatic reversal and disagreement between the two countries after the 1979 Iranian Revolution.Iranian explanations for the animosity with the United States include “the natural and unavoidable conflict between the Islamic system” and “such an oppressive power as the United States, which is trying to establish a global dictatorship and further its own interests by dominating other nations and trampling on their rights”, as well as the United States support for Israel (“the Zionist entity”). In the West, however, different explanations have been considered, including the Iranian government's need for an external bogeyman to furnish a pretext for domestic repression against pro-democratic forces and to bind the government to its loyal constituency. The United States attributes the worsening of relations to the 1979–81 Iran hostage crisis, Iran's repeated human rights abuses since the Islamic Revolution, different restriction by using spy methods on democratic revolution by US, its anti-Western ideology and its nuclear program.Since 1995, the United States has had an embargo on trade with Iran. In 2015, the United States led successful negotiations for a nuclear deal (the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) intended to place substantial limits on Iran's nuclear program, including IAEA inspections and limitations on enrichment levels. In 2016, most sanctions on Iran were lifted. The Trump administration unilaterally withdrew from the nuclear deal and re-imposed sanctions in 2018, initiating what became known as the "maximum pressure campaign" against Iran. In response, Iran gradually reduced its commitments under the nuclear deal and eventually exceeded pre-JCPOA enrichment levels.According to a 2013 BBC World Service poll, 5% of Americans view Iranian influence positively, with 87% expressing a negative view, the most unfavorable perception of Iran in the world. On the other hand, research has shown that most Iranians hold a positive attitude about the American people, though not the US government. According to a 2019 survey by IranPoll, 13% of Iranians have a favorable view of the United States, with 86% expressing an unfavorable view, the most unfavorable perception of the United States in the world. According to a 2018 Pew poll, 39% of Americans say that limiting the power and influence of Iran should be a top foreign policy priority. Relations tend to improve when the two countries have overlapping goals, such as repelling Sunni militants during the Iraq War and the intervention against ISIS.
Hamas presented a counter-proposal for a hostage deal in indirect negotiations in the Gaza war, demanding the release of Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, a gradual withdrawal of Israeli troops, and a ceasefire. The proposal includes phases for ceasefire, troop withdrawal, hostage-prisoner exchange, and reconstruction. In response, Israel rejected Hamas' demands for complete troop withdrawal. Mediators from Egypt, Qatar, and the US are involved in ceasefire negotiations. The conflict has resulted in over 33,000 deaths in Gaza and about 1,200 in Israel.
Iran has several research sites, two uranium mines, a research reactor, and uranium processing facilities that include three known uranium enrichment plants.Commencing in the 1950s with support from the United States (under the Atoms for Peace program), Iran's nuclear program was initially geared toward peaceful scientific exploration. In 1970, Iran ratified the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), subjecting its nuclear activities to IAEA inspections. After the 1979 Iranian Revolution, cooperation ceased and Iran pursued its nuclear program clandestinely.An investigation by the IAEA was launched as declarations by the National Council of Resistance of Iran in 2002 revealed undeclared Iranian nuclear activities. In 2006, Iran's noncompliance with its NPT obligations moved the United Nations Security Council to demand Iran suspend its programs.In 2007, the United States National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) stated Iran halted an alleged active nuclear weapons program in 2003. In November 2011, the IAEA reported credible evidence that Iran had been conducting experiments aimed at designing a nuclear bomb, and that research may have continued on a smaller scale after that time. On 1 May 2018 the IAEA reiterated its 2015 report, saying it had found no credible evidence of nuclear weapons activity after 2009.Operational since September 2011, the Bushehr I reactor marked Iran's entry into nuclear power with Russia's assistance. This became an important milestone for Rosatom to become the largest player in the world nuclear power market. Anticipated to reach full capacity by the end of 2012, Iran had also begun constructing a new 300 MW Darkhovin Nuclear Power Plant and expressed plans for additional medium-sized nuclear power plants and uranium mines in the future.Despite the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) aimed at addressing Iran's nuclear concerns, the U.S. withdrawal in 2018 prompted renewed sanctions, impacting diplomatic relations. The IAEA certified Iran's compliance up until 2019, but subsequent breaches strained the agreement. In a 2020 IAEA report, Iran was said to have breached the JCPOA and faced criticism from signatories.In 2021, Iran faced scrutiny regarding its assertion that the nuclear program was exclusively for peaceful purposes, especially with references to growth in satellites, missiles, and nuclear weapons.In April 2022, Atomic Energy Organization of Iran head Mohammad Eslami announced a strategic plan for 10 GWe of nuclear electricity generation.In October 2023, an IAEA report estimated Iran has increased its uranium stockpile twenty-two times over the 2015 agreed JCPOA limit.
Qantas has redirected its long-haul flights between Perth and London to avoid Iranian airspace due to escalating tensions in the Middle East. Flights from Perth to London will now include a stopover in Singapore while the return service from London to Perth will remain non-stop with a readjusted path. Qantas joins other airlines like Lufthansa and Austrian Airlines in avoiding Iranian airspace. Australia has updated travel advice for citizens going to Israel, warning of increased threats of military and terrorist attacks. The US and other countries have urged Iran to refrain from retaliating against Israel.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF; Hebrew: צְבָא הַהֲגָנָה לְיִשְׂרָאֵל , lit. 'The Army for the Defense of Israel'), alternatively referred to by the Hebrew-language acronym Tzahal (צה״ל), is the national military of the State of Israel. It consists of three service branches: the Israeli Ground Forces, the Israeli Air Force, and the Israeli Navy. It is the sole military wing of the Israeli security apparatus. The IDF is headed by the Chief of the General Staff, who is subordinate to the Israeli Defense Minister.On the orders of David Ben-Gurion, the IDF was formed on 26 May 1948 and began to operate as a conscript military, drawing its initial recruits from the already-existing paramilitaries of the Yishuv—namely Haganah, the Irgun, and Lehi. It was formed shortly after the Israeli Declaration of Independence, and has participated in every armed conflict involving Israel. In the wake of the 1979 Egypt–Israel peace treaty and the 1994 Israel–Jordan peace treaty, the IDF underwent a significant strategic realignment. Previously spread across various fronts—Lebanon and Syria in the north, Jordan and Iraq in the east, and Egypt in the south—the IDF redirected its focus towards southern Lebanon and its occupation of the Palestinian territories, the Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. In 2000, the IDF withdrew from Southern Lebanon and in 2005 from Gaza. Conflict between Israel and Islamist groups based in Gaza, notably Hamas, has continued since then. Moreover, notable Israeli–Syrian border incidents have occurred frequently since 2011, due to regional instability caused by the Syrian civil war.Since 1967, the IDF maintains a close security relationship with the United States, including in research and development cooperation, with joint efforts on the F-15I, the Tactical High-Energy Laser, and the Arrow defense systen, among others. The IDF is believed to have maintained an operational nuclear weapons capability since 1967, possibly possessing between 80 and 400 nuclear warheads.
US House Speaker Mike Johnson intends to push for a bill providing wartime aid to Israel following Iran's recent attack, without specifying if aid for Ukraine will be included. Political tensions have stalled US assistance to both nations, with Johnson blocking an earlier $95 billion aid package for Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan sought by President Joe Biden. Johnson faces pressure from fellow Republicans divided on supporting Ukraine, as some are hesitant to allocate billions towards Kyiv's conflict with Russia. The White House and bipartisan Senate leaders urge Johnson to approve the aid package.
The Greater Middle East is a political term introduced in March 2004 in a paper published by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace as part of the U.S. administration's preparatory work for the Group of Eight summit of June 2004. The area denotes a vaguely defined region called the "Arab world" together with Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan, and Turkey with the speculation of including other Muslim-majority countries such as Indonesia, Bangladesh and the Central Asian countries of Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan. The paper presented a proposal for sweeping change in the way the West deals with the Middle East and North Africa.Adam Garfinkle of the Foreign Policy Research Institute defined the Greater Middle East as the MENA region together with the Caucasus and Central Asia.The future of the Greater Middle East has sometimes been referred to as the "new Middle East", first so by U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who presented the second-term Bush administration's vision for the region's future in June 2006 in Dubai. Rice said would be achieved through "constructive chaos", a phrase she repeated a few weeks later during a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert when the 2006 Lebanon War had broken out; the meaning of this phrase and the Bush administration's vision have been much debated since. The efforts to achieve this new Middle East are sometimes called "The Great Middle East Project".Former U.S. National Security Advisor Zbigniew Brzezinski stated that a "political awakening" is taking place in this region which may be an indicator of the multipolar world that is now developing. He alluded to the Greater Middle East as the "Global Balkans", and as a control lever on an area he refers to as Eurasia. According to Andrew Bacevich's book America's War for the Greater Middle East (2016), this region is the theater for a series of conflicts dating back to 1980, which heralded the start of the Iran–Iraq War.
United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231 was a 20 July 2015 resolution endorsing the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action on the nuclear program of Iran. It sets out an inspection process and schedule while also preparing for the removal of United Nations sanctions against Iran. The 15 nations on the Security Council unanimously endorsed the resolution, which had been negotiated by the permanent members of the United Nations Security Council—China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States—plus Germany, the European Union, and Iran.
The Arab–Israeli conflict is the phenomenon involving political tension, military conflicts, and other disputes between various Arab countries and Israel, which escalated during the 20th century. The roots of the Arab–Israeli conflict have been attributed to the support by Arab League member countries for the Palestinians, a fellow League member, in the ongoing Israeli–Palestinian conflict; this in turn has been attributed to the simultaneous rise of Zionism and Arab nationalism towards the end of the 19th century, though the two national movements had not clashed until the 1920s.Part of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict arose from the conflicting claims by these movements to the land that formed the British Mandatory Palestine, which was regarded by the Jewish people as their ancestral homeland, while at the same time it was regarded by the Pan-Arab movement as historically and currently belonging to the Arab Palestinians, and in the Pan-Islamic context, as Muslim lands. The sectarian conflict within the British Mandate territory between Palestinian Jews and Arabs escalated into a full-scale Palestinian civil war in 1947. Taking the side of the Palestinian Arabs, especially following the Israeli Declaration of Independence, the neighbouring Arab countries invaded the by-then former Mandate territory in May 1948, commencing the First Arab–Israeli War. Large-scale hostilities mostly ended with ceasefire agreements after the 1973 Yom Kippur War. Peace agreements were signed between Israel and Egypt in 1979, resulting in Israeli withdrawal from the Sinai Peninsula and the abolition of the military governance system in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, in favor of Israeli Civil Administration and consequent unilateral annexation of the Golan Heights and East Jerusalem.The nature of the conflict has shifted over the years from the large-scale, regional Arab–Israeli conflict to a more local Israeli–Palestinian conflict, which peaked during the 1982 Lebanon War when Israel intervened in the Lebanese Civil War to oust the Palestinian Liberation Organization from Lebanon. With the decline of the 1987–1993 First Intifada, the interim Oslo Accords led to the creation of the Palestinian National Authority in 1994, within the context of the Israeli–Palestinian peace process. The same year, Israel and Jordan reached a peace accord. In 2002, the Arab League offered recognition of Israel by Arab countries as part of the resolution of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict in the Arab Peace Initiative. The initiative, which has been reconfirmed since, calls for normalizing relations between the Arab League and Israel, in exchange for a full withdrawal by Israel from the occupied territories (including East Jerusalem) and a "just settlement" of the Palestinian refugee problem based on UN Resolution 194. In the 1990s and early 2000s, a ceasefire had been largely maintained between Israel and Syria, while limited warfare continued in Lebanon against Iranian proxy militias. Despite the peace agreements with Egypt and Jordan, the interim peace accords with the Palestinian Authority and the generally existing ceasefire, until the mid-2010s the Arab League and Israel had remained at odds with each other over many issues. Among Arab belligerents in the conflict, Iraq and Syria are the only states who have reached no formal peace accord or treaty with Israel, with both supporting Iran.The Syrian civil war reshuffled the situation near Israel's northern border, putting the Syrian Arab Republic, Hezbollah and the Syrian opposition at odds with each other and complicating their relations with Israel, upon the emerging warfare with Iran. The conflict between Israel and Hamas-ruled Gaza, is also attributed to the Iran–Israel proxy conflict. By 2017, Israel and several Arab Sunni states led by Saudi Arabia formed a semi-official coalition to confront Iran. This move and the Israeli normalization with Gulf states was marked by some as the fading of the Arab–Israeli conflict.
Royal Marines are preparing for a potential evacuation mission to rescue UK nationals in the Middle East following a drone and missile attack by Iran on Israel. The operation, codenamed Operation Meteoric, involves reconnaissance along the Lebanese coast and may include the use of Royal Navy and Royal Air Force support. The UK, a close ally of Israel, is on standby to assist stranded Britons as tensions rise in the region.
Prior to 1944, Iran was not served by a United States ambassador; instead, a diplomatic minister was sent. The first ambassador was named in 1944.After the Iran hostage crisis in 1979, the United States terminated diplomatic relations with the Iranian government, therefore no ambassadors have since been appointed. The United States government has since then been represented in Iran by the United States Interests Section of the Embassy of Switzerland in Tehran.
The Israeli–Palestinian conflict is an ongoing military and political conflict in the Levant. Beginning in the mid-20th century, it is one of the world's longest-continuing conflicts. Key areas of the conflict include the Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip, the status of Jerusalem, Israeli settlements, borders, security, water rights, Palestinian freedom of movement, and the Palestinian right of return.The conflict has its origins in the arrival of Jewish immigrants and settlers to Palestine in the late 19th and 20th centuries and the advent of the Zionist movement. The local Arab population opposed Zionism, primarily out of fear of territorial displacement and dispossession. The Zionist movement garnered the support of an imperial power in the 1917 Balfour Declaration issued by Britain, which promised to support the creation of a "Jewish homeland in Palestine". Following World War I, Mandatory Palestine was established, and tensions grew into open sectarian conflict between Jews and Arabs. In 1936, an Arab revolt erupted demanding independence, which the British suppressed.The 1947 United Nations Partition Plan for Palestine triggered the 1948 Palestine war, which saw the expulsion and flight of most Palestinian Arabs, the establishment of Israel on most of the Mandate's territory, and the control of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank by Egypt and Jordan, respectively. In the 1967 Six-Day War, Israel occupied the West Bank and the Gaza Strip (which became known as the Palestinian territories), which is now considered to be the longest military occupation in modern history, and has drawn international condemnation for violating the human rights of the Palestinians.The conflict has claimed many civilian casualties, mostly Palestinian, since its inception. Various attempts have been made to resolve the conflict as part of the Israeli–Palestinian peace process, alongside efforts to resolve the broader Arab–Israeli conflict. Progress towards a negotiated solution between the Israeli government and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) was made with the Oslo Accords of 1993–1995. The majority of recent peace efforts have been centred around the two-state solution, which involves the establishment of an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel. Public support for a two-state solution, which formerly enjoyed support from both Israeli Jews and Palestinians, has dwindled in recent years. Official negotiations are mediated by the Quartet on the Middle East, which consists of the United Nations, the United States, Russia, and the European Union. The Arab League, which has proposed the Arab Peace Initiative, is another important actor, along with Egypt and Jordan. Since 2006, the Palestinian side has been split between Fatah dominating the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank and Hamas that gained control of the Gaza Strip. Attempts to remedy this have been repeated and continuing. Since 2019, the Israeli side has also been experiencing political crisis. The latest round of peace negotiations began in July 2013 but were suspended in 2014. Since 2006, Hamas and Israel have fought five wars, the most recent of which began in 2023 and is ongoing as of March 2024.
The Iran–Iraq War was an armed conflict between Iran and Iraq that lasted from September 1980 to August 1988. Active hostilities began with the Iraqi invasion of Iran and lasted for eight years, until the acceptance of United Nations Security Council Resolution 598 by both sides. Iraq's primary rationale for the attack against Iran cited the need to prevent Ruhollah Khomeini—who had spearheaded the Iranian Revolution in 1979—from exporting the new Iranian ideology to Iraq. There were also fears among the Iraqi leadership of Saddam Hussein that Iran, a theocratic state with a population predominantly composed of Shia Muslims, would exploit sectarian tensions in Iraq by rallying Iraq's Shia majority against the Baʽathist government, which was officially secular and dominated by Sunni Muslims. Iraq also wished to replace Iran as the power player in the Persian Gulf, which was not seen as an achievable objective prior to the Islamic Revolution because of Pahlavi Iran's economic and military superiority as well as its close relationships with the United States and Israel.The Iran–Iraq War followed a long-running history of territorial border disputes between the two states, as a result of which Iraq planned to retake the eastern bank of the Shatt al-Arab that it had ceded to Iran in the 1975 Algiers Agreement. Iraqi support for Arab separatists in Iran increased following the outbreak of hostilities; Saddam disputedly may have wished to annex Iran's Arab-majority Khuzestan province. While the Iraqi leadership had hoped to take advantage of Iran's post-revolutionary chaos and expected a decisive victory in the face of a severely weakened Iran, the Iraqi military only made progress for three months, and by December 1980, the Iraqi invasion had stalled. The Iranian military began to gain momentum against the Iraqis and regained all lost territory by June 1982. After pushing Iraqi forces back to the pre-war border lines, Iran rejected United Nations Security Council Resolution 514 and launched an invasion of Iraq. The subsequent Iranian offensive within Iraqi territory lasted for five years, with Iraq taking back the initiative in mid-1988 and subsequently launching a series of major counter-offensives that ultimately led to the conclusion of the war in a stalemate.The eight years of war-exhaustion, economic devastation, decreased morale, military stalemate, inaction by the international community towards the use of weapons of mass destruction by Iraqi forces on Iranian soldiers and civilians, as well as increasing Iran–United States military tensions all culminated in Iran's acceptance of a ceasefire brokered by the United Nations Security Council. In total, around 500,000 people were killed during the Iran–Iraq War, with Iran bearing the larger share of the casualties, excluding the tens of thousands of civilians killed in the concurrent Anfal campaign that targeted Iraqi Kurdistan. The end of the conflict resulted in neither reparations nor border changes, and the combined financial losses suffered by both combatants is believed to have exceeded US$1 trillion. There were a number of proxy forces operating for both countries: Iraq and the pro-Iraqi Arab separatist militias in Iran were most notably supported by the National Council of Resistance of Iran; whereas Iran re-established an alliance with the Iraqi Kurds, being primarily supported by the Kurdistan Democratic Party and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan. During the conflict, Iraq received an abundance of financial, political, and logistical aid from the United States, the United Kingdom, the Soviet Union, France, Italy, Yugoslavia, and the overwhelming majority of Arab countries. While Iran was comparatively isolated to a large degree, it received a significant amount of aid from Syria, Libya, China, North Korea, Israel, Pakistan, and South Yemen.The conflict has been compared to World War I in terms of the tactics used by both sides, including large-scale trench warfare with barbed wire stretched across fortified defensive lines, manned machine-gun posts, bayonet charges, Iranian human wave attacks, Iraq's extensive use of chemical weapons, and deliberate attacks on civilian targets. The discourses on martyrdom formulated in the Iranian Shia Islamic context led to the widespread usage of human wave attacks and thus had a lasting impact on the dynamics of the conflict.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC; Persian: سپاه پاسداران انقلاب اسلامی Sepāh-e Pāsdārān-e Enqelâb-e Eslâmī, lit. 'Army of Guardians of the Islamic Revolution'), also called Sepah or Pasdaran, is a multi-service primary branch of the Iranian Armed Forces. It was officially established by Ruhollah Khomeini as a military branch in May 1979, in the aftermath of the Iranian Revolution. Whereas the Iranian Army protects the country's sovereignty in a traditional capacity, the IRGC's constitutional mandate is to ensure the integrity of the Islamic Republic. Most interpretations of this mandate assert that it entrusts the IRGC with preventing foreign interference in Iran, thwarting coups by the traditional military, and crushing "deviant movements" that harm the ideological legacy of the Islamic Revolution. Currently, the IRGC is designated as a terrorist organization by Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Sweden and the United States.As of 2011, the IRGC had at least 250,000 total personnel. The IRGC Navy is now Iran's primary force exercising operational control over the Persian Gulf. The IRGC's Basij, a paramilitary volunteer militia, has about 90,000 active personnel. It operates a media arm, known as "Sepah News" within Iran. On 16 March 2022, it adopted a new independent branch called the "Command for the Protection and Security of Nuclear Centres" involved with Iran's nuclear programme.Originating as an ideological militia, the IRGC has taken a greater role in nearly every aspect of Iranian politics and society. In 2019, Reuters described the organization as "an industrial empire with political clout". IRGC's expanded social, political, military, and economic role under Mahmoud Ahmadinejad—especially during the 2009 presidential election and the suppression of post-election protests—has led many Western analysts to argue that it has surpassed even the country's ruling clerical class in terms of political power.Since 2019, Hossein Salami has served as the IRGC's incumbent commander-in-chief.
U S Cardinal Timothy Dolan visited Israel to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Catholic Near East Welfare Association (CNEWA) and had to seek shelter during an Iranian missile attack on Israel while in Bethlehem. Despite the tense situation, Cardinal Dolan expressed gratitude for safety and security, led mass, met with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, and plans to engage with various religious and human rights groups during his visit in Israel and the Palestinian-controlled territories.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, along with leaders from Ireland and Norway, expressed intentions to recognise Palestine as a state, with plans to coordinate with other European nations. The move aims to support a two-state solution in the Israel-Palestine conflict amid growing international criticism of Israel's actions in Gaza. Norway, part of the Schengen zone, also stands ready to recognise Palestine and has a history of hosting peace talks in the region. Spain and Ireland have been vocal critics of Israel's war in Gaza, supporting Palestinian statehood and advocating for a peaceful future.
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