HESA Shahed 136

April 22, 2025 | Janatan Sayeh |

Iran displays missiles and drones at Baghdad military expo

An Iranian delegation led by the country’s Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL) attended the 13th International Defense Exhibition (IQDEX) in Baghdad on April 20, boasting of a range...

April 11, 2025 | Janatan Sayeh |

Iranian and Armenian militaries drill as Azerbaijan hosts Israel-Turkey talks

Iran and Armenia held their first joint military exercises, “Peace,” near their shared border region of Nodruz on April 9 and 10, according to the Armenian Defense Ministry and the Islamic...

March 21, 2025 | Seth J. Frantzman |

The Big Question: Will American Airpower Crush the Houthis?

On March 15, the US began a campaign of airstrikes against the Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen. US Central Command said it had “initiated a  series of operations consisting of precision strikes...

March 3, 2025 | Janatan Sayeh |

U.S. Sanctions China-Based Front Companies Procuring Drone Components for Iran

Beijing finds itself in the crosshairs as Washington tightens the vise on Tehran. The U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned six entities on February 26 for procuring components for unmanned aerial vehicles...

December 25, 2024 | Seth J. Frantzman |

What do the Houthis hope to achieve as they lash out on Israel?

The Houthis are lashing out. They are willing to confront the US, Israel, and perhaps Saudi Arabia and other states.

December 24, 2024 | Seth J. Frantzman |

Israel and the US know that only sustained bombing will stamp out the Houthis’ threat

The Houthis now pose as the proverbial ‘last man standing’ in the Iranian axis

October 24, 2024 | Peter Doran |

North Korea’s troops reveal Putin’s Ukraine pickle — no more cannon fodder

The war for Ukraine is widening. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin confirmed Wednesday that North Korea is dispatching thousands of troops to Russia, marking a significant escalation in...

October 15, 2024 | Seth J. Frantzman |

The Russia-Iran axis is transforming the nature of Middle East danger

Russia’s siding with Iran will make it harder for peace to be achieved in Lebanon, or for a ceasefire to be achieved on the multiple fronts that Israel is facing

October 14, 2024 | Seth J. Frantzman |

What types of deadly drones is Hezbollah using against Israel?

As drone attacks become more deadly, it’s worth asking what is known about the types of drones that Hezbollah and Iranian proxies are using in their attacks.

October 4, 2024 | Seth J. Frantzman |

Recent IDF casualties show deadly drone threat from Iraq, Yemen is increasing

The Iranian-backed drone programs that proliferated in the Middle East in recent years have become increasingly deadly.

September 9, 2024 | Seth J. Frantzman |

Iran’s missile trade with Russia is about changing world order

The story of the transfer of Iranian missiles to Russia is not just about the missiles; it is about the larger symbol.

July 25, 2024 | Janatan Sayeh |

Iran reestablishes its presence in the Caucuses with Armenian arms deal

Iran and Armenia recently signed a $500 million arms deal, Iran International reported on July 24. The deal includes various military equipment Tehran will supply to Yerevan, including Shahed...

July 20, 2024 | Seth J. Frantzman |

After surprise Tel Aviv attack, Houthi drone arsenal comes under spotlight

In-depth analysis of how Iranian-backed Houthis turned to drones in Yemen's civil war, creating a formidable, cost-effective aerial arsenal that gained them the upper hand in the region.

July 15, 2024 | Seth J. Frantzman |

Germany detains Hezbollah supporter acquiring drone engines

Reports indicate that the Lebanese individual was buying the UAV parts for future attacks on Israel.

July 9, 2024 | |

Iran Expands Ballistic Missile Facilities as NATO Meets in Washington

In another indication of Iran’s increasingly aggressive stance, Reuters reported on July 7 on satellite images showing that Tehran has expanded two facilities to increase the production...

June 4, 2024 | Ahmad Sharawi |

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq increases its drone attacks on Israel

Over the past month, there has been a surge in attacks from Iraq against Israel attributed to the Islamic Resistance. This group consists of several militias backed by Iran, active in both Syria...

June 1, 2024 | Seth J. Frantzman |

Why 2024 is the ‘year of the drone’ after Iran’s attack on Israel

...

May 22, 2024 | Seth J. Frantzman |

Israel confronts continued Hezbollah drone threats

On the evening of May 22, a drone crashed near the community of Beit Hillel in northern Israel. It was one of a number of drone threats targeting the area in recent months and is part of a wider Hezbollah...

May 20, 2024 | Seth J. Frantzman |

How Ebrahim Raisi transformed Iran’s role in the region

Regardless of what Western analysts think about Iran's international relations, Iran has secured close ties throughout the Middle East and Asia under President Raisi.

May 20, 2024 | Seth J. Frantzman |

Raisi set the Middle East aflame but his death will not put out the fire

With Raisi and Amir-Abdollahian gone, Iran will fall back on the IRGC which controls much of the country behind the scenes.