Iran

2024 - 8 - 8

Iran's Leadership on the Edge: War, Executions, and Political Plot Twists!

Hamas - Human Rights Violations - International Relations - Iran - Ismail Haniyeh - Israel - Khamenei - Middle East Conflict - Saudi Arabia

Is Iran backing down from war with Israel while juggling mass executions and political assassination plots? Click to read more!

In a surprising twist in the Middle East saga, Iran's newly elected president, Masoud Pezeshkian, has personally urged Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei to think twice before launching an attack on Israel. Pezeshkian warned about the potentially devastating consequences of such a military action, reflecting a cautious approach amidst rising regional tensions. This dramatic plea comes at a time when tensions are soaring, and many are left wondering whether Iran is reassessing its aggressive stance toward Israel or if it's simply another moment in a game of intricate political chess.

Meanwhile, Iran's regional rival, Saudi Arabia, has expressed outrage over the recent assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, labeling it a "blatant violation" of Iran's authority. This instigating event triggered an emergency meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), where Iranian officials threatened to respond at the "right time." It's a vivid reminder that while diplomacy is in the air, accusations fly faster, as the Middle East continues to balance on a knife's edge.

On a less dramatic note, the atmosphere in Iran itself is agonizingly grim as the state has escalated its mass execution practices. In what can only be categorized as a chilling episode, 26 individuals were reportedly executed in one fell swoop. The grim statistic adds to the staggering count of 345 executions carried out in recent months, prompting human rights groups to voice their concerns over the alarming trend. This brutal reality starkly contrasts the lofty rhetoric often seen in political proclamations.

Adding fuel to the fire, a Pakistani man has been charged in a purported "murder-for-hire" plot targeting US officials with alleged ties to Iran. Asif Merchant is accused of seeking vengeance against unnamed politicians in response to the assassination of an Iranian military chief, turning the already complicated web of international relations into a tangled mess. As the world watches and waits, there seems to be no shortage of drama—or intrigue—when it comes to Iran's next moves.

Did you know that Iran conducts its executions behind closed doors, often omitting crucial details that could highlight human rights violations? Additionally, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, established in 1969, is one of the largest organizations after the United Nations, aiming to promote Muslim solidarity. Now that’s a web of alliances that would make any game of Risk look easy!

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Iran International"

Exclusive: Iran's president implores Khamenei to avoid war with Israel (Iran International)

Iran's newly elected president, Masoud Pezeshkian, has pleaded with Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei to refrain from attacking Israel, warning of its devastating ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "The Times of Israel"

Saudi Arabia says Haniyeh killing 'blatant violation' of Iran's ... (The Times of Israel)

Comment by deputy FM during extraordinary meeting of Organization of Islamic Cooperation is first reaction by Iran's regional rival to assassination in ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "BBC News"

Ismail Haniyeh: Iran will respond at 'right time' to Hamas leader's killing (BBC News)

His comments came during an emergency meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), a group of states with Muslim-majority populations, which ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Politico"

Iran might be second-guessing its Israel attack (Politico)

A huge banner shows Ismail Haniyeh (left) joining hands with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. A banner depicts the late Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh (left) ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "The Times of Israel"

Iran executes dozens, day after hanging protester over killing of ... (The Times of Israel)

26 people reportedly killed in one group execution, in move without comparable example since 2009; rights group says Iran has executed at least 345 people ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Iran International"

Man charged in alleged Iran 'murder-for-hire plot' targeting US ... (Iran International)

A Pakistani man with alleged ties to Iran has been charged in connection with a plot to assassinate US politicians and officials, potentially including ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Aljazeera.com"

US charges Iran-linked Pakistani over political assassination plot (Aljazeera.com)

Asif Merchant accused of seeking hitman to kill unnamed officials as revenge for assassination of Iran military chief.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Reuters"

UK, Egypt issue alerts for Iran, Lebanon airspace as risks of military ... (Reuters)

Egypt and Britain asked their airlines on Wednesday to avoid Iranian and Lebanese airspace amid growing fears of a possible broader conflict in the region ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Iran International"

Iran hangs 29 in one day amid execution spree (Iran International)

Irani carried out a mass execution of at least 29 people on Wednesday morning in two prisons located near the capital, Tehran, as the world was busy ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "The Associated Press"

Iran warns airlines to avoid its airspace for 3 hours on Thursday over ... (The Associated Press)

Egypt's Civil Aviation Ministry says it's ordered Egyptian airlines to avoid Iranian airspace for three hours on Thursday after a notice from Tehran to do ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Iran International"

Egypt warns airlines against flying over Iran's airspace in 'unusual ... (Iran International)

As the region embraces for Iran's retaliatory attack on Israel, experts specializing in Iran are not seeing a clear picture into the definite meaning behind ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Institute for the Study of War"

Institute for the Study of War (Institute for the Study of War)

Tehran considers itself to be both part of the alliance and its leader. Iran furnishes these groups with varying levels of financial, military, and political ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "ABC News"

Iran warns airlines to avoid its airspace for 3 hours on Thursday over ... (ABC News)

Egypt's Civil Aviation Ministry says it's ordered Egyptian airlines to avoid Iranian airspace for three hours on Thursday after a notice from Tehran to do ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Reuters"

Saudi Arabia says Hamas leader's killing was 'blatant violation' of ... (Reuters)

Saudi Arabia said on Wednesday the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran was a "blatant violation" of Iran's sovereignty.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Al Arabiya English"

Egypt asks its airlines to avoid Iran airspace for three hours on ... (Al Arabiya English)

Egypt's civil aviation ministry confirmed Wednesday that it has sent a notice to all Egyptian airlines to avoid flying over Iranian airspace on Aug. 7 from.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Al Arabiya English"

Iran says it has no choice but to retaliate against Israel over Haniyeh ... (Al Arabiya English)

The meeting was convened partly at Iran's request, following the killing of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran last Wednesday, an attack that Iran has ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Euronews"

Iran warns airlines to avoid its airspace for 3 hours on Thursday over ... (Euronews)

Egypt's Civil Aviation Ministry said Wednesday it has ordered Egyptian airlines to avoid Iranian airspace for three hours the following day.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Al Arabiya English"

Saudi Arabia says Hamas leader killing violates Iran's sovereignty ... (Al Arabiya English)

Saudi Arabia said Wednesday the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran was a “blatant violation” of Iran's sovereignty and international.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "NHK WORLD"

Iran seeks support for retaliation against Israel at meeting of Islamic ... (NHK WORLD)

An emergency meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation has been convened amid rising tensions in the Middle East following the assassination of a ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "The Jerusalem Post"

Israel should expect 'strong and definite response,' says Iran (The Jerusalem Post)

Israel will soon be met with "a strong and definite response" to the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, Chief Commander of the Iranian Army ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Al-Monitor"

Iran says cease-fire in Gaza 'priority' as US sees deal 'closer than ever' (Al-Monitor)

Iran's statement on a ceasefire comes as Washington intensifies its efforts to reach a deal that could avert Iranian retaliation against Israel and a ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Al-Monitor"

As Egypt tells airlines to avoid Iran, region braces for attack on Israel (Al-Monitor)

Iran is expected to strike Israel in response to the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, prompting flight suspensions and safety notices ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "The Times of Israel"

Israel said to believe Hezbollah will respond before Iran to deaths of ... (The Times of Israel)

CNN says terror group seems set to strike 'independent' of Iran, which other reports suggest may be reconsidering; Israel said to warn of disproportionate ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "CNN"

Hezbollah poised to strike Israel independent of Iran, sources say (CNN)

Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah appears on a screen as he addresses his supporters, during the funeral of Hezbollah senior commander Fu'ad Shukr, in Lebanon ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Iran International"

Iranian police break neck of Afghan teen amid deportation crackdown (Iran International)

A 15-year-old Afghan has sustained severe injuries including a broken neck after Iranian police knelt on his neck amid escalating efforts to expel a growing ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "INQUIRER.net"

Egypt instructs airlines to avoid Iranian airspace (INQUIRER.net)

Egypt's civil aviation ministry said Wednesday national carriers were instructed to avoid "transiting over Iranian airspace" for three-hour intervals over ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Iran International"

Iran's delayed response to Haniyeh's killing raises questions (Iran International)

Iran's military retaliation against Israel for the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran is taking longer than expected, US intelligence ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "The New Arab"

Could Iran abandon Israel strike if Gaza ceasefire deal secured? (The New Arab)

The US has tried to convince Iran not to launch an attack in Israel in retaliation for the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "The Times of Israel"

As Iran and Hezbollah attacks loom, why hasn't the IDF adjusted ... (The Times of Israel)

Israel is seeking to offer early-enough warning, without dragging restrictions on for too long or burning intelligence sources.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "The Economist"

Iran's frightening new playbook for war (The Economist)

It is abandoning the restraint that has prevented open conflict with Israel | Middle East & Africa.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "ABC News"

Iran promised a 'harsh and painful response' for the presumed ... (ABC News)

Analysis. Iran promised a 'harsh and painful response' for the presumed Israeli assassination of a Hamas leader. Where is it? By Middle East correspondent Eric ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Radio Free Europe/ Radio Liberty"

Iran State TV Readying Public For Attack On Israel (Radio Free Europe/ Radio Liberty)

Iran appears to be readying the public for war as it weighs its options in response to Israel's suspected killing of a Hamas leader in Tehran last week.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Iran International"

Pezeshkian proposes US-sanctioned rights offender ​​as ... (Iran International)

Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian has nominated ​​sanctioned human rights offender Esmaeil Khatib to continue as Iran's Minister of Intelligence as he ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Stimson Center"

Haniyeh's Killing Could Boomerang and Help Iran • Stimson Center (Stimson Center)

The killing of Haniyeh could allow Iran to increase its regional influence by harnessing Arab outrage at Israel and fostering Sunni-Shi'ite convergence.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "The Guardian"

Iran may rethink reprisals against Israel over killing of Hamas's leader (The Guardian)

Other Islamic countries are not openly backing military response by Tehran and more targeted action appears likely.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "The Times of Israel"

Killing of Hamas boss Haniyeh will 'cost Israel gravely,' Iran warns (The Times of Israel)

Acting foreign minister praises choice of Sinwar as successor, claims wide consensus of Islamic countries supports Tehran's right to retaliate for slaying ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "CNN"

Iran mulls scrapping plans to take revenge on Israel in exchange for ... (CNN)

Could Tehran be prepared to pull back in exchange for progress on Gaza peace talks?

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Air & Space Forces Magazine"

F-22s Land in Middle East, Countering Iran and its Proxies (Air & Space Forces Magazine)

F-22 Raptor fighter jets arrived in the Middle East Aug. 8 amid Iran and proxy threats to attack Israel, the military announced.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "The Washington Post"

Israel repelled Iran's first direct attack. Is it ready for the next one? (The Washington Post)

There is apprehension in Israel about the strength of its regional anti-Tehran coalition and the ability of its air defense systems to repel a complex ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Voice of America"

Lawyers, groups condemn Iran's execution of women's rights protester (Voice of America)

Reza Rasaei was the 10th person Iran has executed over the Mahsa Amini protests.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Al-Monitor"

CENTCOM chief back in Israel amid fears of Iran, Hezbollah attack (Al-Monitor)

(L-R) Michael Erik Kurilla, head of the United States Central Command (CENTCOM), former Israeli Army Chief of Staff Aviv Kohavi, and former US Chairman of ...

Institute for the Study of War (Institute for the Study of War)

CTP-ISW continues to assess that coordinated large-scale drone and missile attack on Israel by Iran and its Axis of Resistance is the most likely Iranian ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Australian Institute of International Affairs"

The Middle East: Israeli Assassinations Have Challenged Iran's ... (Australian Institute of International Affairs)

The assassination in late July, presumedly by Israel, of Hezbollah's senior leader Fuad Shukr in Beirut and of Hamas' political leader, Ismail Haniyeh, in ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "The Washington Post"

Iran uses fake news sites to interfere in U.S. election, Microsoft says (The Washington Post)

The company's threat report cites efforts of different Iranian groups to run influence campaigns aimed at political extremes.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "BusinessWorld Online"

Microsoft researchers report Iran hackers targeting US officials ... (BusinessWorld Online)

The breaches were part of Iranian groups' increasing attempts to influence the US presidential election in November, the researchers said in a report that did ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Axios"

Iranian hackers target U.S. presidential campaign official, Microsoft ... (Axios)

Illustration of a photocopied image of a keyboard with elements of the Iranian flag. Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios. Iran-backed hackers targeted a high-ranking ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "The Times of Israel"

US official warns of 'quite significant consequences' for Iran if it ... (The Times of Israel)

A senior Biden administration official says Iran has no right to attack Israel military following the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Iran International"

Iranian manufacturers report halts due to repeated power outages (Iran International)

Industrial production in Iran faces a crisis, as manufacturers report that frequent power outages have often halted operations.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "ABC News"

Iran is accelerating cyber activity that appears meant to influence the ... (ABC News)

A new report from Microsoft finds that Iran is ramping up online activity that appears intended to influence the upcoming U.S. election.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Microsoft"

Iran Targeting 2024 US Election - Microsoft On the Issues (Microsoft)

Discover how Iran is allegedly targeting the 2024 US election, the potential impacts, and the measures being taken to safeguard the democratic process.

Explore the last week