The Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) is at the centre of the war between Iran and Israel, leading the clerical establishment's retaliation to Israel's military campaign despite the loss of many of their top commanders in Israeli attacks since Friday.

In a statement, Hamas praised Tehran-its key strategic ally-for standing by the Palestinian cause and backing the resistance against Israel over decades, including during the current war that began in October 2023.

A breakthrough in Israeli-Saudi normalization is only expected at the end of the fighting in the Gaza Strip, according to this source.

Iran and Israel have developed tacit military, economic, and intelligence cooperation based on shared geopolitical interests, notably the fear of Soviet communism, but also Pan-Arabism.

For much of the 20th century, the US and Iran maintained friendly relations. During the Cold War, Washington depended on the Shah of Iran to counter Soviet influence in the oil-rich Middle East.

Now Iran is facing its gravest threat since that war, as the republic is bombarded by Israel, which boasts one of the world’s most sophisticated militaries, brimming with US equipment, and whose intelligence agencies have penetrated deep inside the republic.

Oman and Qatar were leading efforts to begin ceasefire talks, while mediators said Iran was open to resuming nuclear negotiations if Israel’s attacks stop.

Montana officials in Washington D.C. and Helena are reacting to Israel's attack on Iran.U.S. Senator Steve Daines, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Com

Iran is often portrayed as one of the world’s most dangerous actors. But with attacks on its defenses, nuclear sites and proxy militias, Israel has exposed a compromised and weakened adversary.