Latest news with #LongWarJournal
Shafaq News
2 days ago
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Iran braces for new round of fighting with Israel
Shafaq News – Tehran Iranian Quds Force commander Esmail Qaani has warned allied armed forces in Iraq to brace for possible Israeli airstrikes and to guard against infiltration, according to a report by the Long War Journal. The reported meeting in Baghdad marks a rare direct intervention, underscoring Tehran's concerns about Israeli operations extending into Iraqi territory. While Iran-backed groups such as Asaib Ahl al-Haq, Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba, Kataib Hezbollah, and Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada have voiced support for Iran in recent weeks, they have largely refrained from active participation in the Iran-Israel conflict. Analysts say the restraint reflects Tehran's interest in preserving its political and economic stakes in Iraq. The country remains a vital economic corridor for Iran, generating an estimated $1B in illicit oil profits annually, with armed groups holding sway over key sectors and ministries within the ruling Coordination Framework. During the recent 12-day war, only a handful of unclaimed drone and missile strikes occurred on Iraqi soil, including attacks on the Ain al-Asad base and the US consulate in Erbil. Despite rhetorical threats against the US and Israel, the armed groups have so far limited their engagement to public statements.
India Today
6 days ago
- Business
- India Today
Khamenei warns of 'even bigger blow' to US and Israel if attacked again
Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has once again warned the United States and Israel amid rising pressure on Tehran over its nuclear activities. Speaking on state television Wednesday, Khamenei said, "The fact that our nation is ready to face the power of the United States and its dog on a leash, the Zionist regime, is very praiseworthy."Khamenei referred to Iran's strike on the US Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, saying it was "just the beginning" and warned that "an even bigger blow could be inflicted on the US and others." His comments came the West continue to push for fresh nuclear negotiations while also considering the possibility of reimposing sanctions on MISSILE STRENGTH STILL A CONCERNDespite recent Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear and military facilities -- including a destructive hit on the Fordow nuclear site in June -- US intelligence has assessed that while Iran's nuclear ambitions may be delayed by up to two years, its missile and drone capabilities remain mostly intact. According to Bill Roggio, a senior fellow at the Foundation for the Defence of Democracies (FDD) and editor of the Long War Journal, Iran still possesses around 1,500 medium-range ballistic missiles and roughly 50 percent of its launch SAYS HE'S 'IN NO RUSH TO TALK'Amid ongoing tensions, US President Donald Trump has adopted a cautious tone on the issue. Speaking to reporters Tuesday, Trump said he remains open to negotiations but added, "I'm in no rush to talk."NUCLEAR TALKS UNCERTAIN AS SANCTIONS THREATENMeanwhile, Western nations have made it clear that if Iran fails to make progress on talks with the US by the end of the summer, they may activate the "snapback" sanctions — a provision under the 2015 nuclear deal allowing the re-imposition of international sanctions if Iran fails to Foreign Ministry told Fox News Digital, "A sustainable and verifiable diplomatic solution that addresses the security interests of the international community is essential. If such a solution is not achieved by the end of the summer, the snapback mechanism will remain an option for the E3."The E3 refers to France, Germany, and the United Kingdom — the three European countries involved in the 2015 nuclear agreement known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). "We continue to coordinate closely with our E3 partners on this issue," the German ministry added.- EndsWith inputs from ReutersMust Watch
The Hill
18-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
2 soldiers killed in separate non-combat incidents in Iraq, Kuwait
The Pentagon on Wednesday announced the deaths of two soldiers killed in separate, 'non-combat' incidents earlier this week in Iraq and Kuwait. Staff Sgt. Saul Fabian Gonzalez, 26, of Pullman, Mich., died Tuesday in Erbil, Iraq, and Sgt. 1st Class Emmett Wilfred Goodridge Jr., 40, of Roseville, Minn., died Sunday in Camp Buehring, Kuwait, according to a Defense Department statement. No further details were given as to the cause of the deaths, which are both under investigation. Gonzalez had been assigned to D Troop, 2nd Squadron, 101st Combat Aviation Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) at Fort Campbell, Ky., while Goodridge was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y. Both men had been supporting Operation Inherent Resolve at the time of their deaths. The operation is tasked with keeping the Islamic State at bay in the Middle East after the caliphate was defeated in Iraq in 2017 and in Syria in 2019. Deaths of U.S. troops deployed to the Middle East are increasingly rare following the end of the Afghanistan war in 2021 and a 2024 agreement between the United States and Iraq to withdraw U.S.-led coalition forces from the country by the end of 2026. But the area remains volatile, thanks to the Iranian-backed militia groups that can attack American forces in the region, with three Army soldiers killed in a drone attack on a small U.S. outpost in Jordan in January 2024. And since Israel launched strikes on Iran on June 13, at least five U.S. bases in Iraq and Syria have come under fire from Tehran-supported militants, according to Foundation for Defense of Democracies' Long War Journal.
New York Times
13-06-2025
- Politics
- New York Times
How Does Israel Defend Against Iran's Missiles?
Iran launched retaliatory strikes against Israel on Friday, less than a day after Israel's military carried out a mass attack targeting Tehran's nuclear program and top commanders. With billions of dollars worth of sophisticated and multilayered aerial defenses, Israel has long been prepared for a full-scale assault by Iranian missiles and drones. Those layers of protection are now being put to the test, with Israeli authorities confirming that missiles hit multiple sites. In previous exchanges between the two countries, Iran mostly targeted Israeli military bases. But the scope of Israel's assault, which devastated Iran's military chain of command, could prompt a much wider Iranian counterstrike. 'One of the most effective tactics to inflict maximum damage on the Israeli home front would be to overwhelm its air defense systems,' said Joe Truzman, a senior analyst at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies' Long War Journal. He said Israel will have 'only a brief window to detect, assess, and respond to this looming threat.' Here's what to know about Israel's defenses against Iranian attack. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
