Despite the COVID-19 pandemic that has consumed the attention of both Iran and the United States, as well as that of Iraq, Iran has continued to try to ensure that it maintains preponderant influence in Iraq| The Soufan Center
The January 3, 2020 U.S. strike that killed Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps – Qods Force (IRGC-QF) commander Qasem Soleimani and Abdul Mahdi Al Muhandis, the head of the main Iraqi surrogate for Iran, the Kata’ib Hezbollah (KAH) militia, was a major blow to Iran’s militia infrastructure in Iraq| The Soufan Center
The conflict between Israel and Iran has continued to escalate, with Israel now claiming complete aerial superiority over western Iran, including Tehran, after eliminating Iranian missile launchers and surface-to-air missiles. In both the April and October exchanges last year, Israel targeted Iranian air defense systems, including in the October attack, four S-300 systems, according to […]| The Soufan Center
On October 10, eight months earlier than required by its constitution, Iraq held elections for its 329-seat National Assembly. The vote sets in motion likely protracted negotiations among leaders of the vote-getting blocs to select an executive Prime Minister and a largely ceremonial President| The Soufan Center
Ibrahim Raisi, a close ally of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was sworn in as Iran’s president on August 5 amid stalled negotiations with the United States and partners on a mutual return to full compliance with the 2015 multilateral Iran nuclear deal| The Soufan Center
U.S. and global officials are assessing the effectiveness of their efforts to date to prevent the Hamas-Israel war in Gaza from expanding into a sustained conflict that encompasses the entire region.| The Soufan Center