Middle Orient

Iran Update, February 10, 2024

Key Takeaways: Northern Gaza Strip: The Israel Defense Forces published details of a division-sized clearing operation it has been conducting for the past two weeks in western Gaza City.Southern Gaza Strip: The Israel Defense Forces continued to conduct clearing operations in western Khan Younis.Political Negotiations: Unidentified Egyptian officials warned that …

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3 Options for How Biden Could Respond to Iran

Hawks want strikes on Tehran, but others advise a more limited approach. Just hours after Sunday’s deadly drone attack by suspected Iran-backed militants on a U.S. military outpost in Jordan left three U.S. service members dead and more than 30 wounded, a familiar chorus of hawks began calling—once again—for the …

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US plans ‘Goldilocks’ retaliation that will kill Iranians, but not in Iran

US networks report plan for sustained campaign against Iranian oversea assets, citing White House officials The US will seek a “Goldilocks” retaliation against Iran by striking its assets abroad in a campaign calibrated to restore deterrence while mitigating escalation risks, according to military sources and current and former officials. Washington …

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U.S. And Iran-Backed Huthis Engaged In High-Stakes Fight Tehran Wants To Avoid

It is not only missiles that are being lobbed as U.S. and U.K. air strikes aim to stop the Iran-backed Huthi rebels in Yemen from targeting ships in a key global trade route — mutual threats of continued attacks are flying around, too. The question is how far each side …

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First Bombing After Mousavi’s Death: Israel Targets Sayyida Zainab

The attack on Sayyida Zeinab occurred shortly after a Syrian passenger plane arrived from Baghdad at Damascus International Airport, according to Sawt al-Asima. A site near the town of Sayyida Zeinab in Damascus countryside was reportedly targeted by Israeli shelling on Monday, January 29th. According to Sawt al-Asima sources, the …

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Calm Prevails in Iraq and Syria as US Plans Enhanced Air Defenses Post-Hezbollah Brigades’ Ceasefire Announcement

The Iraqi Hezbollah announced the suspension of its activities against US forces, according to al-Watan. Following the Iraqi Hezbollah Brigades’ declaration to halt military and security operations against American forces, a notable calm was observed across American bases in Iraq and Syria. This development comes in the wake of an …

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Sanctions Add Pressure on the Axis of Resistance

The United States and its partners have imposed additional sanctions on Iran and its axis of resistance partners to try to deny them the resources to continue their ongoing campaign of armed attacks. Sanctions imposed since mid-January have targeted Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Iranian allies in Yemen, Iraq, …

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Houthi Attacks Upend Beijing’s Regional Strategy

The Houthi attacks on Red Sea commercial shipping are adversely affecting China’s economy, causing China’s leaders to question the benefits of relations with Iran. The Red Sea crisis has demonstrated that militant factions in the Middle East can undermine Beijing’s interests just as they can challenge the United States and …

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U.S. Strikes Aimed at Restoring Deterrence without Escalating Conflict with Iran

The United States’ opening salvo in response to the attack in Jordan that killed three U.S. troops last week included attacks against targets in Iraq, Syria, and Yemen. The U.S. response is expected to be multi-tiered and unfold over weeks, targeting an array of groups that form part of Iran’s …

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Israeli forces shelled a school: Ten Palestinians were killed

At least ten Palestinians were killed and 15 injured yesterday when Israeli forces shelled a school run by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) in which hundreds of displaced people had sought shelter in the Al-Rimal neighborhood west of Gaza City, Anadolu reports. Palestinian sources …

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