Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine three years ago estranged Moscow from the United States and its European allies, Iran has counted on an expanding strategic partnership with Russia to insulate it from U.S. pressure, further spread Iranian influence in the Middle East, and receive needed advanced conventional weaponry. However, recent developments are likely to drive […]| The Soufan Center
As Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu began his visit to Washington last week, including meeting with President Trump in the Oval Office on February 4, global experts expected the meeting to produce an unequivocal commitment by Trump to use––or support Israel’s use of––military action to destroy Iran’s nuclear program. President Trump and all of his […]| The Soufan Center
Speaking earlier this week at the annual threat conference hosted by the Cipher Brief in Sea Island, Georgia, CIA Director William Burns was asked about the situation with Iran’s nuclear program. Burns told the assembled crowd, many of whom were veterans of the U.S. intelligence community, that “[W]e do not see evidence today that the […]| The Soufan Center
Since the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel, Iran’s advancing nuclear program has been somewhat eclipsed as a strategic challenge by Tehran’s backing of a broad “Axis of Resistance” attacking Israel, U.S. forces in the region, and commercial shipping in the Red Sea.| The Soufan Center