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Jordan News
19-06-2025
- Politics
- Jordan News
The Targets Are Not Nuclear Warheads! - Jordan News
After several fiery days of direct confrontation between the Zionist entity and Iran, the picture is gradually becoming clearer. Today, it is possible to more accurately read the directions, motives, and dimensions of this war—unlike the first two nights of the conflict, when fog dominated the scene, information was scarce, and we could do little more than speculate amid a dense gray haze. اضافة اعلان Now, following the assassination of prominent Iranian military leaders like Mohammad Bagheri and Amir Ali Hajizadeh, along with surprise strikes in Tehran, it has become evident that we are witnessing a full-fledged assassination war. This war is not detached from recent events: from the mysterious crash of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi's plane, to the elimination of Hamas leaders including Ismail Haniyeh, and the unprecedented direct assassinations of Hezbollah figures in Lebanon, notably Hassan Nasrallah. These indicators collectively reveal that the Zionist entity is orchestrating a highly precise military and intelligence operation spanning the entire region. It is based on vast classified intelligence and detailed maps of strategic figures and decision-making centers in Tehran, Gaza, and Beirut—part of a long-standing shadow war that is increasingly surfacing into the open. From this angle, I will analyze the sequence of events starting with the sudden crash of Raisi's plane—a moment that prompted many to ask: who benefits?—and continuing up to the latest strike on Tehran, which has made the overall scenario far clearer. What we are witnessing is a Zionist liquidation project aimed at dismantling the Iranian decision-making structure both inside and outside the country, gradually neutralizing its military and political symbols, and assassinating leaders of the resistance axis in Lebanon and Palestine. Let us recall a parallel scene in Gaza: during the recent war, the Zionist entity monitored the movements of Ismail Haniyeh and other senior Hamas figures from the outset. Its leaders spoke openly about targeting those they labeled "decision-makers," placing them at the top of their list of objectives. At the same time, neither Hebrew-language media nor Zionist military officials concealed the fact that Hassan Nasrallah and top Hezbollah commanders were prime targets, and that their elimination had become a real possibility amid the escalating tensions on the Lebanese front. What's new now is that the battlefield has expanded beyond Gaza and Lebanon and reached the heart of Tehran. What took place early last Friday was a dual message: any military or political figure involved in managing nuclear or security files, or supporting resistance movements, is a legitimate target—whether in an office in Tehran, aboard a presidential aircraft, or in Beirut's southern suburbs. These operations, like those previously seen in Gaza and Lebanon, aim to paralyze leadership nerves before striking the field. When the Zionist entity succeeds in carrying out such high-level assassinations in a matter of days, it reflects the sheer volume of precise intelligence it possesses regarding the movements, locations, and plans of these leaders. This confirms that Israel has, over many years, conducted a clandestine information war within enemy institutions, and is now reaping its results publicly. The most alarming aspect of this war—which had long been conducted in silence and with cunning—is that it has now become an overt war. Israel no longer hesitates to claim responsibility for these operations, nor does it hide its intent to continue assassinations until the last figure in the Iranian and resistance project is eliminated, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei himself. What makes the situation even more dangerous is that these operations are carried out with the knowledge—and at times with the backing—of influential international powers, leaving Tehran, Gaza, and Beirut politically and intelligence-wise encircled and in an extremely vulnerable position. Regionally, we are therefore facing a war aimed at eliminating decision-makers and strategic minds, not nuclear warheads. From Raisi's mysterious plane crash, to the targeted leaders in Gaza, to the burning heart of Tehran and the besieged southern suburbs of Beirut—the message is clear. While Iran, Hezbollah, and resistance movements are betting on a long war of attrition, it seems the Zionist entity has chosen to break this equation by striking the heads and letting the limbs flail. If this war continues in this manner, it will inevitably reshape the map of influence in the Middle East in the coming months.
The Hindu
18-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Israel-Iran conflict: What is Iran's Fattah missile capable of?
Amid escalating tensions between Iran and Israel, Tehran confirmed the launch of its domestically developed hypersonic missile, Fattah-1, during a coordinated nighttime attack. According to Iranian state media, Fattah was deployed to target strategic locations inside Israel, with reports of damage and fires in Tel Aviv and central districts. Also Read: A brief history of Iran and Israel's escalating conflict: Timeline What is the Fattah missile? The Fattah, meaning 'Conqueror' in Persian, is Iran's first domestically designed hypersonic medium-range ballistic missile. Developed by the IRGC Aerospace Force and unveiled on June 6, 2023, it features solid-fuel propulsion and a two-stage setup. Iran claims a range of approximately 1,400 km and terminal speeds between Mach 13 and Mach 15, allowing it to strike targets across the Middle East, including Israel. How fast and far can Fattah reach? Tehran asserts the missile achieves speeds up to 15 times the speed of sound and can travel up to 1,400 km, placing strategic targets, including US and Israeli military bases, within its striking range. Has Fattah been used in combat before? In October 2024, Fattah‑1 was reportedly employed during 'Operation True Promise II' against Israel, in retaliation for Israel's assassinations of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. More recently, during escalating tensions in mid‑June 2025, Iran confirmed the launch of Fattah‑1 missiles at Israel amid nighttime barrage operations. While Iranian state media claims strikes caused fires in Tel Aviv and central Israel. What is Iran's Fattah capable of? Iran's state television reported that the missile could pass through any regional missile defence system, though it offered no evidence to support the claim. The TV broadcast what appeared to be a model of the missile being unveiled by Iran's Revolutionary Guard before President Ebrahim Raisi. In November 2022, General Amir Ali Hajizadeh of the Revolutionary Guard claimed that Iran had created a hypersonic missile, without offering any evidence in support. Iran positions Fattah as a high-speed, manoeuvrable missile platform capable of offsetting Western and Israeli air-defence systems.
Al Bawaba
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Al Bawaba
Iran rises red flag of revenge: What does It signal?
ALBAWABA - Iran has signaled a severe reaction to Israel's recent military attacks that killed senior Iranian commanders and scientists by raising the symbolic red flag of revenge above the Jamkaran Mosque in Qom. Deeply rooted in Shiite religious tradition, the action comes as uncertainty mounts about Tehran's response to what it has described as a direct challenge to its sovereignty. The red flag, which is often seen as a demand for retribution, has strategic and political ramifications, according to Al Jazeera's Tehran bureau. It was previously brought up in the wake of the murders of top Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and Qassem Soleimani. Nour Eddine Al-Dagheer, a journalist for Al Jazeera, said that while Iran often raises the flag during funeral rites, this time it was seen before to the burials, demonstrating the gravity of the situation. Operational preparation is reportedly in progress, suggesting that Iran is prioritizing a military response. Early on Friday morning, the Israeli military started synchronized attacks against important IRGC officers, nuclear facilities, and ballistic missile infrastructure. Israel presented the assault, which included more than 200 aircraft and more than 100 key targets across Iran, as a preventative action against Iran's nuclear aspirations. Chief of Staff Muhammad Bagheri and IRGC Commander Major General Hossein Salami were among those confirmed dead. They were quickly removed by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who named Mohammad Pakpour the new head of the IRGC and General Abdolrahim Mousavi the new chief of staff. Critical regions around the nuclear complex in Natanz have been closed to avoid environmental harm, according to Iranian media. The Israeli action has been characterized by military experts as a strike on Iran's power centers and a serious violation of Iranian sovereignty. Iran is allegedly getting ready for a sophisticated counterattack in response. Experts predict that a mix of ballistic missiles, drones, and clandestine or cyber activities may be used. Iran may even try to attack targets within Israeli territory, according to Al Jazeera, utilizing information gleaned from freshly acquired papers that describe Israel's nuclear facilities. Across Iran, protests calling for reprisal are anticipated. Despite the departure of key officials, many predict Tehran's reaction would be on reestablishing deterrence and reclaiming its regional stance.
Asharq Al-Awsat
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Who Remains from the Symbols of October 7?
On October 7, 2023, Hamas-affiliated media accounts posted a video showing several of the group's prominent leaders outside Gaza falling into a 'prostration of thanks' as they watched on television the start of the unprecedented assault on Israel -- what Hamas called 'Operation Al-Aqsa Flood.' The video, recorded in a spacious office, appeared to show Hamas's top brass monitoring an event they clearly anticipated. Figures like Ismail Haniyeh, then head of the political bureau; his deputy, Saleh al-Arouri; and senior leaders Khaled Meshaal and Khalil al-Hayya were all seen in the footage. At the time, the scene fueled speculation about whether the political leadership had prior knowledge or direct involvement in planning the attack. Yet, according to Hamas sources who spoke to Asharq Al-Awsat, many of those in the video were unaware of the operation's exact timing or scope. They knew the Qassam Brigades, Hamas's military wing, were preparing a preemptive strike in response to Israeli plans for a limited military campaign -- but the leaders abroad had not been briefed on the final execution. The sources revealed that the video was filmed in Hamas's office in Türkiye, where leaders were preparing to travel to Iraq, part of a broader diplomatic initiative. The delegation, which had recently visited Lebanon, was set to engage with other Arab and Islamic countries, including Iran, Kuwait, and Oman, in an effort to widen Hamas's political footprint. This diplomatic offensive was seen by some in the Palestinian Authority as an attempt to position Hamas as an alternative to the PA and the PLO --an accusation the group denied. However, without the knowledge of most of the political wing, Hamas's military leadership in Gaza had a different agenda -one that was kept tightly guarded and may have contributed to the operation's initial success. In the early hours of the attack, leaders outside Gaza scrambled to contact counterparts in the Strip, asking, 'What's happening?' Some of those asked reportedly responded with confusion or claimed ignorance. Only a small inner circle knew the full scope of the plan, and even among Gaza-based leadership, not all were informed. Some received instructions before the attack to leave their homes and relocate to secure areas. As Israel's war on Gaza enters its twentieth month and continues to target Hamas leaders, the question now is: who remains from the core of October 7, and who truly knew what? While most of Hamas's political leadership was excluded from operational details, some senior figures had given strategic backing to the idea of a preemptive strike. Khaled Meshaal, Mousa Abu Marzouk, and Mahmoud al-Zahar were among those who supported military action to derail reported Israeli assassination plans targeting Hamas figures. The name most closely linked to the attack remains Yahya Sinwar, who headed Hamas in Gaza at the time. Though not the originator of the idea, he was the operation's chief engineer and maintained strict control over its planning. He handpicked those who were fully briefed and sanctioned the final plan. Following the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran in July 2024, Sinwar was elevated to head of the political bureau -- a symbolic challenge to Israel. But just months later, in October 2024, Sinwar was killed in a surprise clash in Tel al-Sultan, western Rafah, alongside members of his inner circle. Haniyeh, for his part, had been focused on expanding Hamas's diplomatic reach. He had only a vague idea about the October 7 operation, believing it would be limited. He was assassinated in Tehran as well, in the same month as his successor. Khalil al-Hayya, now leading the political bureau and negotiations, was better informed than many of his peers but not to the extent of the military planners. Ruhi Mushtaha, one of the few civilians aware of the operation's breadth and timing, was killed in July 2024, as was Saleh al-Arouri, who was targeted earlier that year in Lebanon. Nizar Awadallah, who left Gaza shortly before the attack, remains active in back-channel negotiations and is considered a hardline figure inside Hamas. Though largely behind the scenes, he was reportedly better informed than most on the political level. On the military front, few names carry as much weight as Mohammed Deif, long-time commander of the Qassam Brigades. Deif, who survived numerous Israeli assassination attempts over the years, was finally killed in July 2024. Mohammed Sinwar, Yahya's younger brother, was considered the true mastermind of the operation and played a central role in its planning and execution. He too was killed in a targeted strike in Khan Younis, alongside his brother. Other key figures, like Marwan Issa, who had long served as Deif's deputy, died in March 2024 after being sidelined by illness. Several brigade commanders who oversaw preparations and joint drills with other factions, including the Islamic Jihad, were also eliminated. Only one high-ranking commander, Ezzedine al-Haddad of Gaza City, is believed to still be alive. Known as 'The Fox' for his ability to evade Israeli intelligence, he continues to operate underground.
India Today
12-06-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Ex-CIA analyst gets 3 years in jail for leaking Israeli strike plans on Iran
A former CIA analyst who pleaded guilty in January over a leak of classified Israeli plans to strike Iran was sentenced to 37 months in prison on Wednesday, the US Department of Justice pleading guilty, Asif William Rahman, who had worked at the US intelligence agency since 2016, acknowledged that he illegally downloaded, printed and distributed classified information on multiple occasions, including several in IT'S IMPORTANTadvertisementUS ally Israel and its regional rival Iran were in the midst of high tensions at the time and exchanged some blows. Israel at the time was preparing to strike some Iranian sites in retaliation for a ballistic missile attack that the Iranian government said was a response to Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh's assassination by Israel in had a "Top Secret" security clearance with access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) until his employment was terminated after his arrest in late documents, which entailed plans by Israel to strike Iran, later appeared online after a pro-Iranian Telegram account called "Middle East Spectator" published 34, is from Vienna, Virginia, and was arrested in Cambodia, according to court QUOTE"Asif Rahman violated his position of trust by illegally accessing, removing, and transmitting Top Secret documents vital to the national security of the United States and its allies," Erik Siebert, US Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, said on Watch IN THIS STORY#United States of America
