Iran strengthens its military in the Persian Gulf
Against the backdrop of escalating tensions between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has reinforced its military presence in the...
Gulf of Oman
Russia and China to Discuss Iranian Nuclear Program Following Joint Naval Drills
UK Threatens Sanctions Snapback on Iran: Deputy foreign ministers from Russia and China will meet in Beijing on March 14 to discuss Iran’s nuclear program. The meeting comes...
Flash Briefs
Israel strikes Iran: Is deterrence the key to prevent an all-out war?
The ball is now back in Tehran's court - if Iran is not deterred, further escalation may occur.
Op-eds
Iran Seeks Purchase of Advanced Spy Satellites from China
Latest Developments Iran is seeking to purchase Chinese spy satellites that could improve its ability to target U.S. and Israeli forces, both for itself and its proxies, The Washington Post reported...
Flash Briefs
Israeli Navy and Air Force Shoot Down More Drones in Wake of Iranian Attack
The Israeli Air Force (IAF) downed a drone on April 15 one day after the Israeli Navy intercepted a drone — the latest attacks on Israel following Iran’s onslaught. The drone...
Flash Briefs
China, Russia, and Iran Hold Fifth Trilateral Naval Drill
The naval forces of China, Russia, and Iran are conducting a four-day trilateral drill in the Gulf of Oman and the northern Indian Ocean that started on March 12. The drill’s spokesperson,...
Flash Briefs
Russia, China, and Iran deepen ties with naval drill
Russia, Iran, and China have conducted at least four naval drills in the past. However, this year’s are larger, and they come amidst rising tensions in the Red Sea and off the coast of Yemen.
Op-eds
Iran, Houthis attack with impunity in Red Sea – analysis
The Houthis have launched drones, cruise missiles, and a ballistic missile at Israel over the last month and a half, believing they are not deterred.
Op-eds
Tehran predicts Russia-China-Iran triangle of power – analysis
Iran hopes to ally with Eastern powers to gain economic and political power in the Middle East.
Op-eds
In Israel vs. Hamas, China Backs Iran vs. America
China’s response to the Israel-Hamas war draws from the same playbook Beijing has applied to the Ukraine war since last year. Beijing is backing the interests of its main anti-U.S. ally in the region...
Memos
Iran mobilizes proxies for drone war on US and Israel – analysis
Sanctions on Iran’s missile program ended this week, fueling Iran’s appetite for defense deals and empowering its sense of impunity regarding the supply of weapons to proxies.
Op-eds
U.S. Sends Seized Iranian Ammunition to Ukraine
U.S. Central Command announced this week that the government transferred Iranian ammunition to Ukraine’s armed forces on October 2. American naval forces seized the more than 1...
Flash Briefs
U.S. Navy Increases Patrols in Strait of Hormuz
The U.S. Navy is increasing its patrols of the Strait of Hormuz in response to Iran’s growing threat to commercial shipping and its seizure of two oil tankers during the last two...
Flash Briefs
Iran Seizes U.S.-Bound Oil Tanker
Iranian naval forces seized a Marshall Island-flagged oil tanker traveling through international waters in the Gulf of Oman on April 27. The tanker, Advantage Sweet, was transporting...
Flash Briefs
The Arsenal of Tyranny
Tehran arms jihadis, terrorists, and neo-imperialists
Op-eds
A win against Iranian arms smuggling to Yemen
The U.S. Navy announced on Tuesday that it has seized 70 tons of a missile fuel component and 100 tons of an explosive precursor. The items were being smuggled on a ship traveling from Iran to Yemen....
Op-eds
With US distracted, Tehran and Beijing tighten embrace in the Middle East
The US pivot to the Pacific may be all about China, but it misses Beijing’s moves to fill a US void elsewhere, write a team from the Foundation for Defense of Democracies.
Op-eds
New Mideast task force can counter Iranian arms smuggling, but more capabilities are needed
Eyeing the continued flow of Iranian weapons to the Houthis in Yemen, the Combined Maritime Forces, a naval partnership comprising 34 nations led by U.S. Central Command, established a new multinational...
Op-eds
The Challenge of Containing a Nuclear Iran
Barring a great surprise, the Islamic Republic will get its nuke. How will the U.S. respond?
Op-eds
China, Russia, and Iran Hold Trilateral Naval Drill
China and Russia, America’s increasingly aligned great power adversaries, teamed up with Iran last month to hold a trilateral naval exercise in the Gulf of Oman and northern Indian Ocean, which Tehran...