Tag Archives: Iran

Mysterious wave of explosions, sudden IRGC death disrupt post-ceasefire calm in Iran

Israel and Iran indirectly agreed to a ceasefire on June 24, yet a wave of explosions and the mysterious death of an IRGC general over the past week have disturbed the relative calm in Iran. The regime has attributed every explosive incident to “gas leaks,” despite contradictory evidence. Israel has remained silent on these events but likely maintains intelligence superiority and the capacity to conduct operations in Iran.


Iran threatens Europe as France, Germany, and UK weigh snapback options

As France, Germany, and the UK weigh triggering snapback sanctions, Tehran has escalated its threats against Europe both rhetorically and operationally. Mohammad Javad Larijani, a senior advisor to the Supreme Leader, warned that Europeans “can no longer move about comfortably,” pointing to Iran’s growing drone capabilities as a tool of deterrence. From supplying Russia with drones for use in Ukraine to cultivating organized crime networks across Europe, the Islamic Republic is leveraging multiple pressure points to dissuade the E3 from restoring UN sanctions under Resolution 2231.


Kurdish government blames Iranian-backed PMF for drone attacks targeting Iraqi Kurdistan

On July 5, northern Iraq’s autonomous Kurdistan Regional Government blamed the Iraqi federal government’s Iranian-backed Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) for drone attacks impacting Iraqi Kurdistan. An Iraqi official rejected the accusations. Since June 30, there have been numerous drone attacks targeting the autonomous Kurdistan Region in northern Iraq. The PMF and Iran have been behind attacks in the area over the past several years, including targeting US forces and Iranian dissident groups.


Israeli forces raid Iran-backed cell in Syria for second time

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) apprehended members of a cell in Syria who were working on behalf of the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force, the IDF said on July 7. It was the second operation in two weeks in which the IDF targeted suspects linked to Iran’s IRGC-QF in southern Syria. Israeli units of the 210th Division continue to carry out operations in Syria, including on Mount Hermon and along the Golan border.


Houthis resume deadly Red Sea shipping attacks

The Houthis resumed targeting Red Sea shipping with two attacks on commercial vessels that killed three crew members and injured two more. The Yemeni terrorist group had not targeted commercial shipping in over half a year.


Israel Defense Forces raid Iran-linked terror cell in Syria

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) apprehended suspects in Syria who are part of “a terrorist cell operated by Iran,” the Israeli military said on July 2, one of several recent raids it has conducted along the border to detain suspects. IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir visited the Golan on July 1 and met with Israeli officers. “We must maintain a high level of alertness and keep our eyes open at all times,” he said.


Treasury targets Houthi oil revenue, building on US sanctions against the group

In late June, the US Treasury Department sanctioned the largest group of Houthi-connected entities, individuals, and vessels so far. The action targets oil importations and sales, which are a key revenue source for the Yemeni terrorist group. It is the latest move to limit the Houthis’ finances since the Trump administration re-designated them as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) on March 4.


Analysis: Iran is severely weakened but remains a regional threat 

In testimony to the Senate Armed Service Committee, incoming CENTCOM Commander Vice Admiral Charles B. Cooper II highlighted the nuclear, conventional, and asymmetrical threats posed by the Iranian regime. While Israel and the US focused their short campaign primarily on Iran’s nuclear program and ballistic missiles, large elements of Iran’s conventional assets survived unscathed.




Trump announces ceasefire, Israel strikes Iranian regime’s repression apparatus (June 23 updates)

After nearly two weeks of high-intensity conflict, US President Donald Trump announced on June 23 that Israel and Iran had reached a ceasefire agreement. The announcement followed a flurry of kinetic activity: Iran launched missiles at the US Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar in response to American strikes on its nuclear infrastructure, while Israel escalated its air campaign against Iran, targeting missile systems and the regime’s core repression institutions.


Israel sees increasing success against Iranian drones, drone and missile attacks continue

Iran has launched over 1,000 drones at Israel, but Israel has succeeded in blunting most of the drone threat in 10 days of conflict. In addition, Iran has launched more than 450 ballistic missiles at Israel. More than 50 have landed, leading to at least 24 deaths and more than 2,800 injuries. Israel has begun reopening its airspace to flights that are repatriating tens of thousands of Israelis stranded abroad due to the conflict.



Israel eliminates a key link between Hamas and Iran

Israel killed a key Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force (IRGC-QF) official who coordinated between Iran, Hamas, and other members of the Iran-led Axis of Resistance. The elimination is among the most notable high-ranking Iranian military officials killed in the current war.


Analysis: How might Iran retaliate against the US?

Following US strikes on three nuclear sites, Tehran has threatened to target American bases in the Middle East, continue missile attacks on Israel, and close the Strait of Hormuz. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claims the strikes were anticipated, uranium was moved from Fordow in advance, and Iran is preparing for a potential six-month war.




Israel targets IRGC officials, nuclear scientist, and missile bases in Iran (June 22–21 updates)

Over the past 72 hours, Israel has intensified its air campaign across Iran, striking missile and drone infrastructure in Esfahan, Bushehr, Ahvaz, Yazd, and Qom. Targets included the Imam Hossein missile base in Yazd, IRGC drone and air defense facilities, and the Shahid Mostafa Khomeini military base. Senior IRGC and IRGC-Qods Force commanders tied to weapons transfers, regional proxy coordination, and nuclear development were killed. Despite Tehran’s calls for retaliation, Hezbollah, Hamas, and other allied militias have mostly stayed out of the fight so far.


General Dan Caine

US strike inflicts “severe damage and destruction” on 3 Iranian nuclear facilities, CJCS Caine states

Operation Midnight Hammer, planned and practiced in near secrecy for several weeks, was “designed to severely degrade Iran’s nuclear weapons infrastructure,” Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine stated. The US Air Force hit the Iranian nuclear facilities at Fordow and Natanz with 14 Massive Ordnance Penetrators launched from B-2 bombers. Separately, a US Navy submarine struck the Esfahan site with “dozens” of cruise missiles.


US strikes Iranian nuclear facilities

Just two days after US President Donald Trump said he would decide about striking Iran’s nuclear program within two weeks, US B-2 bombers hit Iranian nuclear facilities in Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan. Attacking the hardened Fordow facility via air is a mission only the US Air Force could execute.



Iran flag with nuclear symbol

Israel reportedly eliminates nuclear scientist, expands messaging campaign (June 20 updates)

Israel expanded its campaign against Iran with strikes on Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) sites, missile infrastructure, and nuclear-linked facilities, reportedly killing a nuclear scientist in Tehran. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) framed the attacks as targeting the Iranian regime’s repression and appealing to public discontent. Talks between Iran and EU officials on June 20 brought no breakthrough, as Tehran ruled out abandoning uranium enrichment.



Israel targets nuclear sites, Iran appoints new officials (June 19 updates)

Israel has expanded its military campaign against Iran with targeted strikes on nuclear facilities, missile infrastructure, and security institutions. Leadership changes within Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) point to a tightening of internal control, while cyberattacks have disrupted Iran’s banking system and fueled public anxiety. Tehran’s threats toward US regional bases continue as Washington weighs possible military involvement.




Israel strikes Tehran police HQ, hacks live broadcast (June 18 updates)

Israel struck key Iranian military sites across Tehran, Karaj, and Kermanshah, destroyed air defenses, and hacked state TV, urging protests. Iran responded with internet shutdowns and claims of foiling Israeli plots. Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s recent emergency video reflects rising tensions after Trump’s demands for Iran’s surrender.


Israeli jet

The Houthis join Iran’s attacks on Israel

Yemen’s Houthis have continued their campaign against Israel, but now in coordination with and support of Iran. Other Iranian proxies within the Tehran-led Axis of Resistance have chosen not to involve themselves in the conflict openly and directly, so far. Israel carried out a targeted strike in Yemen in response to Houthi attacks.



Israel targets Iranian ballistic missile launchers and infrastructure

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) focused on targeting Iranian ballistic missiles and their launchers since Israel’s military operation against Iran began on June 13. In the first days of the conflict, the IDF targeted missile production facilities as well as launch sites and underground storage sites. By June 16, the IDF estimated that it had destroyed a third of Iran’s ballistic missile launchers.