Iran, the second-largest country in the Middle East, is a multi-ethnic Islamic theocracy with the ultimate decision maker being the country's prime religious authority, its Supreme Leader. It infuses elements of democracy, such as an elected president. With one of the longest and storied histories of civilization, the current Islamic Republic of Iran was established by Ruhollah Khomeini in 1979 following the Islamic Revolution. Kohmeini became Iran's first Supreme Leader.
Iran is considered authoritarian in its suppression of rights for women and children and the violent squandering of opposing political protests.
Strategically located between the water bodies of the Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Oman and the Caspian sea, it is bordered by key middle-eastern players, such as Turkey, Afghanistan and Iraq.
Iran holds the world's second-largest natural gas supply as well as a massive oil reserve, a key element often discussed in its role in international relations and political leverage.
Before 1979, Iran maintained friendly relations with Israel via pro-Western leader Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. However, after the Islamic Revolution, Iran severed all ties with Israel and by the 1990s relations turned hostile.
Iran has escalated its nuclear technology development over the years while also funding and supporting Islamic-extremist proxy groups much closer to Israel, such as Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) and Hezbollah.
Several other similarly aligned nations offered support, including Iraq, Bahrain, Oman, and Kuwait.
"This location and port are extremely critical to the survival of the Iranian regime," expert Sabti emphasized.
In a wide-ranging interview with Time magazine, the US President discussed the possibility of a broader conflict in the Middle East.
Despite the film being released over five months ago, it suddenly made a comeback on Iranian networks, in striking tandem with the US-Iran nuclear negotiations.
DIPLOMATIC AFFAIRS | A close ally of Israel, Rama was awarded the Presidential Medal of Honor, Israel’s highest civilian decoration, in Jerusalem earlier this year.
Iranians face a historic opportunity, not merely to dismantle a decaying order, but to build a new system rooted in legitimacy and the will of the people.
While hopes were high at the first and second meetings, some of those hopes appeared to fade in the last week.
The explosion reportedly occurred near an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps naval base, Army Radio reported.
Saturday's nuclear talks with Iran were positive and productive, a senior US administration official said, adding that both sides agreed to meet again in Europe "soon."
The 18-year-old was reportedly killed after escaping domestic violence in her family home.
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