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☆ What We Know About the Iranian Commanders Killed by Israel in Syria
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-02 | by ( Farnaz Fassihi | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Iran’s supreme leader on Tuesday pledged to avenge the deaths of three commanders and four officers in Iran’s armed forces, one day after they were killed in a precision Israeli airstrike on the Iranian embassy compound in Damascus. The leaders, Iranian officials said, were some of the highest ranking leaders in the Quds Force, overseeing Iran’s covert intelligence and military operations in Syria and Lebanon. The strike was the deadliest against Iranian officials in recent memory and has shaken the country’s armed forces establishment. The strike, both the latest in a yearslong shadow war between Iran and Israel and a seeming escalation in that conflict, has again brought attention to Israel and Iran’s conflicting ambitions in the region and the network of proxies Iran employs to fight its battles. “We will make them regret this crime and similar crimes, with the help of God,” Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the supreme leader, said of the Israelis.

Persons: Ayatollah Ali Khamenei Organizations: Quds Force Locations: Damascus, Syria, Lebanon, Iran, Israel

☆ Fears Grow That Syria Strikes Could Spur Retaliatory Attacks on Israel and U.S.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-02 | by ( Eric Schmitt | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Current and former U.S. officials expressed fears on Tuesday that Israel’s airstrikes on an Iranian embassy compound in Syria could escalate hostilities in the region, and prompt retaliatory strikes against Israel and its American ally. Indeed, after the Israeli strike in Damascus, Syria’s capital, on Monday, American troops based in southeastern Syria knocked down an attack drone, a Defense Department official said. It was unclear if the drone was aimed at the U.S. forces, the official said, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss operational details. If it were, it would be the first attack by Iran-backed militias against American troops in Iraq or Syria in nearly two months. The official said there had been no further attacks overnight, but that Pentagon officials were monitoring the situation closely.

Persons: Ralph Goff, Goff Organizations: Israel, Iran’s Quds Force, Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, Defense Department, U.S ., Pentagon Locations: Syria, Iran’s Quds, Iran, Damascus, Syria’s, U.S, Iraq

☆ Strike in Damascus Is an Escalation in Israel’s Undeclared War With Iran
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-02 | by ( Steven Erlanger | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Israel’s bombing of an Iranian Embassy building in Damascus, which killed senior Iranian military and intelligence officials, is a major escalation of what has long been a simmering undeclared war between Israel and Iran. Iran promises major retaliation, but neither Israel nor Iran wants a major shooting war, given the stakes for both countries. Even so, the danger of a miscalculation is ever-present, as both countries press for advantage in Gaza and southern Lebanon. For Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, who presumably approved such a sensitive attack, the successful elimination of such key Iranian military figures is a political coup. It comes at a time when demonstrations calling for his resignation have increased in intensity, as the war against Hamas drags on and Israeli hostages remain in Gaza.

Persons: Iran’s, Benjamin Netanyahu Organizations: Iranian Embassy Locations: Iranian, Damascus, Israel, Iran, Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Yemen

CNN —A top commander in Iran’s Revolutionary Guard was killed among several others in an airstrike on the country’s consulate building in Damascus, Syria, according to Iranian officials and state-affiliated media, which blamed Israel for the attack. Iran’s Foreign Ministry said that senior Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp (IRCG) commander Mohammed Reza Zahedi was killed in the attack. Footage of the aftermath of the blast, published by Iranian state media Press TV, showed extensive damage, fire and smoke at the scene. Iranian embassy staff and military advisers were among the dead, he said. Zahedi, the slain commander, was previously the commander of IRGC’s ground forces, the commander of IRGC’s air force, and the deputy commander of the IRGC’s operations.

Persons: Israel, Mohammed Reza Zahedi, Hossein Akbari, “, ” Akbari, Akbari, ”, Nasser Kanaani, ” Kanaani, Hossein Amir, Faisal Mekdad, Amir, Matthew Miller, ” Miller, we’re Organizations: CNN, Revolutionary Guard, Iran’s, Ministry, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp, Press, Zionist, Israel Defense Forces, Fars News, Iranian, Syrian Foreign, Diplomatic Relations, United States State Department Locations: Damascus, Syria, Iranian, Islamic Republic, Iran, Fars, Syrian, Vienna

At least three senior commanders and four officers overseeing Iran’s covert operations in the Middle East were killed on Monday when Israeli warplanes struck a building in Damascus that is part of the Iranian Embassy complex, according to Iranian and Syrian officials. The strike in Damascus, the Syrian capital, appeared to be among the deadliest attacks in a yearslong shadow war between Israel and Iran that has included the assassinations of Iranian military leaders and nuclear scientists. That covert war has moved into the open as tensions between the countries have intensified over Israel’s military campaign in the Gaza Strip against Hamas, the Iranian-backed militia that led the Oct. 7 attack on Israel. Four Israeli officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive intelligence matters, confirmed that Israel had been behind the strike in Damascus, but denied that the building had diplomatic status.

Persons: Israel Organizations: Iranian Embassy, Hamas, Israel . Locations: Damascus, Iranian, Israel, Iran, Gaza

The alleged strike targeted the Mazzeh neighborhood in Syria’s capital, home to several diplomatic missions including the Iranian embassy, according to Syrian authorities. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) identified the four others killed as military advisors Ali Aghazadeh, Hossein Mohammadi, Saeed Karimi and Mohammad Amin Samadi. Their presence in Syria had been “at the official invitation of the Syrian government,” Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson, Nasser Kanaani, noted in a statement on social media. Louai Beshara/AFP/Getty ImagesRegional spillover fearsThe attack in Damascus comes amid concerns that Israel’s war with Hamas in Gaza is spiraling into a regional war. Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi on Saturday vowed to “punish” Israel for the Damascus missile strike.

Persons: Israel “, “, Hojjatollah Omidvar, Iran’s, Ali Aghazadeh, Hossein Mohammadi, Saeed Karimi, Mohammad Amin Samadi, Nasser Kanaani, Louai Beshara, Tehran’s, Hossein Amir, Abdollahian, CNN’s Fareed Zakaria, Matt Miller, ” Miller, Ebrahim Raisi, ” Israel, ”, CNN’s Kareem Khadder Organizations: CNN, Hamas, Syrian Ministry of Defense, Israel Defense Forces, Network, Quds Force, Revolutionary Guards, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Security, Getty, Economic, Israel, Palestinian Ministry of Health, State Locations: Damascus, Syria’s, Iranian, Mazzeh, Syria, AFP, Gaza, Iraq, Tehran, Lebanon, Yemen, Red, Davos, Palestinian, Ramallah, The, Israel

☆ Iran just warned of imminent 'preemptive action' against Israel if the IDF launches a ground invasion of Gaza
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-17 | by ( Matthew Loh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Iran's foreign minister said on Monday that Israel could face "preemptive action" if it invades Gaza. AdvertisementAdvertisementIran's government said on Monday that Israel can "expect a preemptive action" if Israel launches its anticipated invasion of Gaza. "In the coming hours, we can expect a preemptive action by the resistance front," he added, per Reuters. While Amirabdollahian did not specify what he meant by "preemptive action," he also said Israel's enemies are "capable of waging a long-term war," according to Reuters. Around 1,300 people were killed in the attacks, Israel estimated.

Persons: Israel, —, Hossein Amirabdollahian, Amirabdollahian, Hossein Amir, Abdollahian, KHALED DESOUKI, Mostafa Alkharouf, Axios, It's, Israel —, Gerald R, Ford, Andrej Tarfila Organizations: Israel, Service, Reuters, Iranian Embassy, Getty, Al, Hamas, Israel Defense Forces, Getty Images, United Nations, Pentagon, —, Hezbollah, Street Journal, Palestinian Health Ministry Locations: Gaza, Iran, Israel, Lebanese, Beirut, AFP, Al Jazeera, Doha, Qatar, Anadolu, Getty Images Iran

☆ How Hamas secretly built a 'mini-army' to fight Israel
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-13 | by ( Samia Nakhoul | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +9 min

[1/2] Palestinian Hamas militants take part in a rally marking the 31st anniversary of Hamas' founding, in Gaza City December 16, 2018. In the 2008 Gaza war, Hamas rockets had a maximum range of 40 km (25 miles), but that had risen to 230 km by the 2021 conflict, he added. For Iran, Hamas has helped it realise a years-long ambition to encircle Israel with legions of paramilitaries, including other Palestinian factions and Lebanon's Hezbollah, according to Western officials. After Israel withdrew from Gaza in 2005, Hamas began importing rockets, explosives and other equipment from Iran, Western intelligence sources have said. Iran seized the opportunity to co-opt Hamas in 1992 when Israel deported about 400 Hamas leaders to Lebanon, the source close to Hamas said.

Persons: Abu Mustafa, Ali Baraka, Baraka, Israel, Gazans, Ismail Haniyeh, SHEIKH YASSIN, Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, It's, Jonathan Saul, John O'Donnell, William Maclean, Pravin Organizations: REUTERS, Israel, Hamas, Britain's Royal United Services Institute, Jewish Institute for National Security of, European Union, Al Jazeera, U.S . State Department, Front, Liberation of Palestine, General Command, Brotherhood, Hezbollah, U.S, Thomson Locations: Gaza City, DUBAI, Gaza, Iran, Israel, Iranian, Lebanon, Jihad, U.S, United States, Canada, Egypt, Japan, Qatar, Tehran, Syria, Sudan, Iraq, Yemen, Islam, Damascus, Lebanese, Al Aqsa, Britain, London

☆ Ex-Army sergeant charged with trying to pass US secrets to China
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-06 | by ( Holmes Lybrand | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —A former US Army sergeant who allegedly lived in China for several years was arrested Friday on charges of keeping national defense information and attempting to share it with the Chinese government. If convicted, the two charges Schmidt faces – attempting to deliver national defense information and retention of national defense information – each carry up to 10 years in prison. While in China, Schmidt allegedly created other documents detailing US Army intelligence practices over training, intelligence collection, interrogations methods as well as a hand-drawn diagram of an Army computer network. The former Army sergeant allegedly contacted Chinese companies run by the government there to advertise his services and access to sensitive material. The arrest comes after several members of the US armed forces have been charged this year with retaining or sharing military information with others, including China.

Persons: CNN —, Joseph Daniel Schmidt, –, Schmidt, ”, “, hadn’t Organizations: CNN, US Army, Human Intelligence, Justice Department, ’, Government, Army, US, National Locations: China, California, Beijing, Turkey, San Francisco, Japan

☆ New Zealand says it is aware of China-linked intelligence activity in country
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-10 | by ( Lucy Craymer | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

JADE GAO/Pool via REUTERS/File PhotoWELLINGTON, Aug 11 (Reuters) - New Zealand is aware of intelligence activity linked to China in and against the island nation and the Pacific region, it said in a report released on Friday. "This is a complex intelligence concern for New Zealand," the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS) said in the annual report. The report also highlighted "foreign interference" activity from Iran and Russia. The report added that, more broadly, the international security environment in which New Zealand operates is now more challenging and less predictable than in recent decades. The intelligence report also noted that technological innovation, global economic instability and declining social trust also posed threats.

Persons: Chris Hipkins, Premier Li Qiang, JADE, Alexei Navalny, Andrew Hampton, NZSIS, Lucy Craymer, Richard Chang, Muralikumar Organizations: Zealand, Premier, of, People, JADE GAO, New Zealand, New Zealand Security Intelligence Service, New, Russian Embassy, Thomson Locations: Beijing, New Zealand, China, New, Wellington, Australia, Britain, Canada, United States, Iran, Russia, Iranian, Russian

☆ Iran's embassy in Riyadh opens gates for first time in years
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-12 | by ( Aziz El Yaakoubi | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The heavy gates of the Iranian embassy's compound were open in Riyadh with a team inspecting its premises, a Reuters reporter said. The diplomatic mission opened hours after the Iranian foreign ministry said a technical delegation arrived in the kingdom. "The Iranian delegation will take the necessary measures in Riyadh and Jeddah to set up the embassy and consulate general," Iranian foreign ministry spokesman, Nasser Kanaani, said in a statement. Riyadh accused Iran of arming the Houthis, who went on to attack Saudi cities with armed drones and ballistic missiles. Saudi officials also arrived in Iran to discuss procedures for reopening Riyadh's embassy in Tehran and consulate in Mashhad, the Saudi foreign ministry said on Saturday.

☆ Exclusive: Iran to start revamp at Venezuela's largest refining complex within weeks - sources
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-03 | by ( Mircely Guanipa | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

The companies are now expected to sign in the coming weeks a 460-million-euro contract to revamp the 955,000-bpd Paraguana refinery complex on the coast of western Venezuela, according to the sources. Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian arrived in Caracas on Friday and met Venezuela's oil minister Tareck El Aissami, according to tweets from the Iranian embassy in Caracas and Venezuela's oil ministry. PDVSA, NIORDC and Venezuela's oil ministry did not reply to requests for comment. A QUARTER OF CAPACITYA project to restore the complex's dilapidated power supply is also planned as part of the revamp, according to the sources. During the El Palito revamp, PDVSA sent home hundreds of Venezuelan workers to make way for the Iranian technicians, which triggered protests.

☆ Iran says it shipped drones to Russia before Ukraine war
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-06 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

"The drone part is true and we provided Russia a small number of drones months before the Ukraine war," he said. Russia denies its forces have used Iranian drones to attack Ukraine. In a video address, Zelenskyy dismissed talk of limited Iranian supplies to Russia, saying Ukraine had downed 11 drones on Friday alone. Separately, U.S. Special Envoy for Iran Robert Malley tweeted it was untrue that Iran had sent a few drones. Amirabdollahian repeated Tehran would "not remain indifferent" if it were proven Russia had used Iranian drones against Ukraine.

☆ U.S. wants to oust Iran from U.N. women's body
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-02 | by ( Michelle Nichols | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Iran has been gripped by protests since the death of 22-year-old Kurdish woman Mahsa Amini in police custody last month. "Iran has demonstrated through its denial of women's rights and brutal crackdown on its own people that it is unfit to serve on this Commission," Harris said. Iran has accused the United States and it allies of abusing their U.N. platform "to further their political agenda" and urged countries not to attend the meeting. Iran's mission to the United Nations did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the U.S. bid to oust it from the CSW. Russia and the United States are both ECOSOC members.

☆ Day after U.S. drone accusations, Iran advises citizens not to visit Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Oct 21 (Reuters) - Iran advised its citizens on Friday not to travel to Ukraine and urged Iranians already there to leave, semi-official news agencies reported, a day after the United States accused Iran of helping Russia operate drones against Ukraine. "Due to the military escalation in Ukraine, all Iranians are strongly advised to refrain from travelling to Ukraine. Also, Iranians living in Ukraine are advised to leave the country for their own safety," the ministry statement said. The United States is now concerned that Russia may seek to acquire advanced conventional weapons from Iran such as surface-to-surface missiles for use against Ukraine, White House national security spokesperson John Kirby told reporters. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Register<a href="mailto:dubai.newsroom@thomsonreuters.com" target="_blank">dubai.newsroom@thomsonreuters.com</a>; Editing by Frank Jack Daniel and Nick MacfieOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Iranian climber Elnaz Rekabi returns to cheering crowds after competing without hijab
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-19 | by ( Hyder Abbasi | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +5 min

An Iranian rock climber who drew global headlines and concerns after competing abroad without the Islamic Republic's compulsory headscarf arrived home early Wednesday to cheering crowds. The Islamic headscarf has become a focus of weeks of social unrest that have engulfed Iran and developed into the most serious challenge to the government in more than a decade. Rekabi did not wear the hijab during Sunday’s final at the International Federation of Sport Climbing’s Asia Championship, in which she finished fourth. Rekabi is not the first female Iranian involved in competitions abroad to face issues after appearing in attire that violates the dress code. The International Federation of Sport Climbing said in a statement Tuesday that it has been in contact with Rekabi and the Iranian Climbing Federation.

☆ Ukraine’s Zelenskyy urges troops to take more prisoners; Russian plane crash death toll rises to 13
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-18 | by ( Sam Meredith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Ukrainian youth activists protest at the Iranian embassy over the use of "Kamikaze" drones after an attack early this morning on Oct. 17, 2022 in Kyiv, Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned a new Russian drone strike, calling on international allies to help Kyiv strengthen its air defense systems after a day of drone attacks on cities in which at least four people are known to have died. Zelenskyy also urged Ukrainian troops to take more Russian prisoners, saying this would make it easier to free those held by Russia. His comments came shortly after Kyiv and Moscow carried out the largest prisoner swap of the war to date. Meanwhile, a senior Russian health official reportedly said 13 people have died as a result of a military aircraft crash into a residential building in the southern Russian town of Yeysk.

☆ Iran warns the West over protests as international backlash grows
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-26 | by ( Rhoda Kwan | Rhoda Kwan Is A Taipei-Based Journalist. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +4 min

The warning came amid widespread protests triggered by the death of Mahsa Amini, 22, and increasing international support for the demonstrations demanding wider freedoms and women's rights. AFP - Getty ImagesJosep Borrell, the European Union's foreign policy chief, has said Iran should “immediately stop the violent crackdown on protests and ensure internet access." Women across Iran have been protesting the country’s mandatory dress codes, with videos posted online showing women burning their hijabs and cutting their hair on public streets. People take part in a demonstration in support of Iranian protesters in Paris on Sunday. "The regime feels threatened, and we know from previous occasions ... it is willing to use any means to end such protests," Esfandiari said.

☆ Iran will make 'proportional' response to Ukraine reducing ties
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A national Iranian flag waves in the wind over a building of the Iranian embassy, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine September 24, 2022. REUTERS/Valentyn OgirenkoRegister now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterSept 24 (Reuters) - Iran is planning "proportional action" in response to Ukraine's decision to downgrade diplomatic ties over the reported supply of Iranian drones to Russia, the Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson said on Saturday. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterKanaani said Ukraine's decision was "based on unconfirmed reports and resulted from a media hype by foreign parties". Iran has previously denied supplying drones to Russia, but the hardline daily Kayhan said on Saturday "hundreds of armed drones" have been sold. These included - for the first time in Ukraine - a Mohajer-6, a larger Iranian drone, the southern military command said.

☆ Iran says U.S. move to ease internet sanctions is part of its hostile stance
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterA national Iranian flag waves in the wind over a building of the Iranian embassy, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine September 24, 2022. REUTERS/Valentyn OgirenkoDUBAI, Sept 24 (Reuters) - Iran on Saturday criticised a U.S. move to make exceptions to sanctions in order to help provide internet to Iranians during nationwide protests, state media reported. read moreIt said this was in line with Washington's hostile stance towards Tehran. read more"By reducing the severity of a number of communications sanctions - while maintaining maximum pressure - the U.S. is seeking to advance its goals against Iran," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani was quoted by state media as saying. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterReporting by Dubai newsroom; Editing by Angus MacSwanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Iran regrets Ukraine's downgrading of ties over drones
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

REUTERS/Valentyn OgirenkoRegister now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterSept 24 (Reuters) - Iran regrets Ukraine's decision to downgrade ties over the reported supply of Iranian drones to Russia, the Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson said on Saturday. Ukraine said on Friday that it would downgrade diplomatic ties with Iran over Tehran's decision to supply Russian forces with drones, a move President Volodymyr Zelenskiy called "a collaboration with evil". Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterKanaani said Ukraine's decision was "based on unconfirmed reports and resulted from a media hype by foreign parties". Military authorities in southern Ukraine said on Saturday they had shot down at least seven Iranian drones, including six Shahed-136 "kamikaze" craft over the sea near the ports of Odesa and Pivdennyi on Friday. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterReporting by Dubai newsroom and Pavel Polityuk in Kyiv Writing by Dominic Evans Editing by Frances KerryOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Iran ready to send fuel ships to Lebanon in a week or two -Iranian embassy in Beirut
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Sept 19 (Reuters) - Iran is ready to send ships loaded with fuel to Lebanon within one or two weeks to help run the country's power plants, the Iranian embassy in Beirut told Al-Manar TV as a Lebanese delegation was in Tehran to discuss energy cooperation. A Lebanese energy ministry spokesperson said they were unaware whether a fuel import deal had been struck but said "any gift from anywhere is welcome". Iran had previously proposed providing fuel to the Lebanese state in the form of a donation in an effort to avoid U.S. sanctions on Iran's energy sector, two government sources told Reuters earlier this month. read moreRegister now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterLebanon and Iran are also discussing the construction of new power plants and fixing electrical power networks, the embassy said. Lebanon has struggled with outages for decades but its economic meltdown since 2019 has drained state coffers, slowing down imports of fuel for government plants.

☆ The world's 5 best special-operations forces besides those of the US
▼ + stars: | 2020-09-01 | by ( Stavros Atlamazoglou | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

SOF units offer a low-cost, high-reward option, and their small footprint makes them more politically acceptable for policymakers when the public is wary of large military commitments. The US military boasts some of the best SOF units in the world, such as the Army's Delta Force and the Navy's SEAL Teams. One of their most famous operations was in 1980, when an SAS unit stormed the besieged Iranian embassy in London and freed several hostages. Philippine ArmyA quiet but deadly Filipino SOF unit that has seen lots of combat in recent years. Israeli Defense ForcesA number of other SOF units have distinguished themselves but didn't make the list.

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