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Economic Times
7 days ago
- Politics
- Economic Times
Backed into a corner, Iran may unleash hackers, spies, sleeper cells and terror proxies worldwide
Israel has launched multiple airstrikes against Iran, targeting nuclear sites and key Revolutionary Guard leaders. While Iran's military strength is affected, the country's ability to retaliate using cyberattacks, proxy groups and intelligence networks remains. Protesters, predominantly Houthi supporters, burn Israeli and U.S. flags as they demonstrate in solidarity with Palestinians and Iran, amid the Iran-Israel conflict, in Sanaa, Yemen June 20, 2025. REUTERS/Khaled Abdullah Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Israeli Strikes Focus on Nuclear and Military Targets Impact on Iran's Warfare Capabilities Forward Deterrence as a Strategic Tool Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Quds Force Remains Active Iran's Global Reach Cyberattacks as a Response Option Unconventional Threats Still a Concern FAQs Israel has carried out a series of strikes on Iran in recent days. These attacks have destroyed parts of Iran's nuclear program and weakened its military defense systems. Despite the losses, Iran is still able to respond using irregular warfare methods that have long been part of its strategy, a The Conversation report airstrikes have damaged two nuclear sites and destroyed several air defense systems. The attacks took place in different cities and reportedly killed 14 nuclear scientists and some top members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The strikes have also disrupted Iran's missile and drone strikes have reduced Iran's ability to use traditional military hardware. It may take time before Iran can return to previous levels of uranium enrichment. However, the country still maintains influence through other channels. Iran's use of proxy groups, organized crime links, and cyberattacks could still be used for retaliation, the report military strategy, called 'forward deterrence,' encourages striking threats outside the country's borders. This idea dates back to the 1980s during the Iran-Iraq War. Groups like the Badr Corps were formed under this doctrine. Iran has since developed relationships with groups like Hezbollah and the Houthis to pursue regional reportedly struck a Quds Force command center in Tehran. It is unclear if its leader, Esmail Qaani, survived. Some of Iran's partners like Hezbollah and Hamas have also suffered setbacks. However, Iran's proxy network is still present across the region and can be activated when needed, the report further has a history of targeting opponents abroad. These efforts have included kidnappings and assassinations using its Ministry of Intelligence and Quds Force operatives. Several incidents, including attempts in the US and Europe, show the reach of Iran's network. These threats remain even if military strength has has also focused on cyber warfare. Following recent Israeli strikes, a cybersecurity firm observed a sharp increase in malicious activity linked to Iran. These cyberattacks may involve disinformation, sabotage, or data theft. Iran is also using AI tools to spread propaganda and false media during Iran's conventional military is weakened, its ability to conduct irregular warfare remains. The more Iran is attacked directly, the more likely it is to use these hidden methods. Its network of proxies and cyber operatives can respond without warning and pose long-term challenges for Israel and the is a policy where Iran targets threats outside its borders using proxy groups and cyber tools, aiming to prevent danger before it reaches Iranian could use cyberattacks, intelligence operatives, or proxy groups to target Israeli or US assets without direct military engagement.
The Star
08-06-2025
- Health
- The Star
Over 5,000 healthcare volunteers support healthcare system during Haj season
Muslim pilgrims walk as water sprinklers spray water during the annual hajj pilgrimage in Mina, Saudi Arabia, June 7, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Khaled Abdullah MINA (Bernama-SPA): Saudi Arabia's Health Ministry said more than 5,000 healthcare volunteers participated in this Haj season, as part of its ongoing efforts to enhance the quality of healthcare services provided to pilgrims. According to Saudi Press Agency (SPA) this initiative aligns with the objectives of the Health Sector Transformation Programme and the Pilgrim Experience Programme, both key components of Saudi Vision 2030 aimed at increasing volunteer participation and strengthening their role in serving pilgrims. The ministry explained that the volunteers supported the healthcare services provided to pilgrims across three main areas: preventive, curative, and support services. Their efforts extended to various locations within the holy sites, including Makkah, Mina, Arafat, and Muzdalifah, as well as through active participation in hospitals and healthcare centres. -- Bernama-SPA
Straits Times
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
U.S. bombing dents but doesn't destroy Houthi threat in Yemen
FILE PHOTO: A police trooper walks on the rubble of a building destroyed by U.S. air strikes in Sanaa, Yemen April 27, 2025. REUTERS/Khaled Abdullah/File Photo WASHINGTON - A nearly two-month-long U.S. bombing campaign in Yemen dealt heavy damage to the Iran-aligned Houthis but U.S. officials and experts caution that the group is expected to remain a vexing adversary despite a ceasefire announced on Tuesday by Washington. President Donald Trump said U.S. forces will stop bombing the Houthis because they had agreed to stop attacking crucial shipping lanes under a deal that Oman said it mediated. While the chief Houthi negotiator confirmed the ceasefire to Reuters, he said it did not extend to close U.S. ally Israel and he did not rule out attacks on Israel-linked vessels or targets. The group says it is acting in solidarity with Gaza's Palestinians. In March, Trump ordered the Pentagon to intensify strikes against the Houthis, in an operation known as Rough Rider. Since then, the U.S. military says it has struck more than 1,000 targets and says it has killed hundreds of the group's fighters along with some military leaders. But after weeks of intensive U.S. strikes, the Houthis, who have controlled most of Yemen for nearly a decade, were still able to strike Israel's Ben-Gurion Airport on Sunday, in a dramatic illustration of their resilience. "(This operation shows) the Houthis can survive pretty much any bombing campaign," said one U.S. official, speaking on the condition of anonymity. The group had carried out over 100 attacks on shipping lanes since Israel's war with Hamas began in October 2023. Under the agreement, Oman said in its statement, neither the U.S. nor the Houthis would target the other, including U.S. vessels in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait. The Pentagon was notified as early as Monday evening that a ceasefire was possible, a second U.S. official told Reuters. The Houthis endured nearly a decade of heavy strikes launched by a Saudi-led military coalition, but were able to rebuild to the point where they could threaten the U.S. Navy and Israel. U.S. bombings have killed a significant number of mid-tier Houthi fighters who trained lower-level forces, a third U.S. official said, adding "their will to continue has been dramatically reduced." Michael Knights, an expert on Yemen at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy think-tank, said the group could recover if weaponry continues to flow from its ally Iran. "As long as the Houthis maintain a line of resupply to Iran and the Iranians continue to provide it, then it's not going to have any lasting effect," Knights told Reuters. "They can recover." DEPLETED BUT STILL POTENT Under Joe Biden's administration, the United States and Britain retaliated with airstrikes on Houthi targets in an effort to keep open the Red Sea trading route - the path for about 15% of global shipping traffic. Trump decided to intensify air strikes against the Houthis. As of last month, ballistic missile launches by the Houthis dropped by 69% while drone attacks were down by more than 50% since the start of the campaign, according to the U.S. military. But the group's attack on Israel on Sunday showed it can still stir chaos and escalate tensions in the region. Israel retaliated by launching airstrikes on Yemen's Hodeidah port and its main airport in Sanaa. Last week, a U.S. F-18 jet and its tow tractor fell overboard from an aircraft carrier in the Red Sea. While the event is still under investigation, officials told Reuters the Harry S. Truman carrier had to make a sharp turn because of a Houthi attack in the region. A second F-18 went off the side of the carrier into the sea on Tuesday. The Houthi campaign has also been expensive for the U.S. military. The cost of the operation will likely be measured in the billions of dollars, according to a U.S. official. The Houthis have also shot down seven U.S. MQ-9 drones -- each worth tens of millions of dollars -- in or around Yemen since Trump took office. "What this shows is that the Houthis still have significant capabilities," the first official said. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Wall Street Journal
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Wall Street Journal
Trump Declares Truce With Houthis but Israel Still at Risk
May 7, 2025 5:30 am ET You may also like Close Created with sketchtool. Up Next Close Created with sketchtool. Embed code copied to clipboard Copy Link Copy Embed Facebook Twitter Close Created with sketchtool. Your browser does not support HTML5 video. 0:00 Play Created with sketchtool. Paused Mute Created with sketchtool. 0:00 / 1:21 Share Created with sketchtool. Closed Captions Active Created with sketchtool. Fullscreen Inactive Created with sketchtool. Trump Announces Truce With Houthis: 'They Don't Want to Fight Anymore' Play video: Trump Announces Truce With Houthis: 'They Don't Want to Fight Anymore' Keep hovering to play President Trump said that the U.S. would suspend airstrikes against the Houthis, the militant group in Yemen targeting merchant vessels in the Red Sea. Photo: Khaled Abdullah/Reuters WASHINGTON—When President Trump began his military campaign against Houthi militants in mid-March, he vowed to pull out all the stops to end the militants' attacks against international shipping in the Red Sea and nearby waters. 'It isn't even a fair fight, and never will be. They will be completely annihilated,' Trump declared on social media in the first week of the operation.
Straits Times
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Oman says it mediated ceasefire between US, Yemen's Houthis
FILE PHOTO: A police trooper walks on the rubble of a building destroyed by U.S. air strikes in Sanaa, Yemen April 27, 2025. REUTERS/Khaled Abdullah/File Photo Oman says it mediated ceasefire between US, Yemen's Houthis CAIRO - Oman said it mediated a ceasefire deal between Yemen's Houthis and the U.S., marking a major shift in the Iran-aligned group's policy since the start of Israel's war in Gaza in October 2023. Neither side will target the other, including U.S. vessels in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait, Oman said in its statement. The statement made no mention of the Houthi attacks on Israel. Earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. will stop bombing the Houthis, saying the group had agreed to stop interrupting important shipping lanes in the Middle East. The Yemeni group started attacking shipping lanes after the war in Gaza started saying it is in support of Palestinians. In March, Trump launched Washington's biggest military operation under his administration against the Houthis during which hundreds of Yemenis were killed. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
