Iran's overture to Ukraine an affront to Russia?

Kata’ib Hezbollah, also known as Hezbollah Brigades, is an Iraqi Shia militia formed in 2007. Aligned closely with Iran, the group is a part of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) in Iraq. The US-designated group's activities are heavily backed by Iran through training, weapons, and financial support.

Beyond Iraq, Kata’ib Hezbollah has extended its operations to Syria, where it fights alongside other Iranian-backed militias in support of the Bashar Al-Assad regime, and now to Central Asia.

Sources have confirmed to Iran International that Kataib Hezbollah has been carrying out terrorist activities in Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan through a Tajik operative identified Muhammad Ali Burhanov, also known as Sayed Hamid al-Tajiki.

The Iraqi militant group's operation in Central Asia was first reported by Terror Alarm on X earlier this month.

Burhanov, who has been linked to multiple attacks in Central Asia, reportedly studied at Al-Mustafa University in Iran—a known recruitment hub for Tehran-backed militant groups. This university, operating under the Islamic Propaganda Bureau of the Qom Seminary, has branches in nearly 60 countries and serves as Iran's primary instrument for spreading Shi'ism internationally.

Al-Mustafa University had earlier drawn scrutiny, particularly in 2020 when it was allocated a budget of nearly 5 trillion rials, or approximately $100 million at the time, making it the most heavily funded university in Iran. The United States sanctioned the university in December 2020 for recruiting Afghan and Pakistani students to fight in Syria, with Canada following suit in October 2022 for its role in recruiting foreign fighters.

The involvement of Burhanov and his operatives in Central Asia is reportedly supported by the IRGC Quds Force’s Department 400, with direct involvement from senior officials such as Hossein Rahmani and Hossein Rahban. These figures are instrumental in recruiting young militiamen and collaborating with various extremist groups, including Jihadists, ISIS, and the Taliban.

Recent operations linked to Burhanov for Kata’ib Hezbollah have included a failed gunfire attack on the Jewish Agency offices in Almaty, an attempted arson at the Ohr Avner Jewish Center in Almaty, and arson attacks on a farm owned by Saxovat Broyler Co. in Tashkent and a warehouse owned by Neostream Co. in Almaty.

Iran has a long history of hostility towards Jews, often manifesting through both direct and indirect actions. Since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, the Iranian government has embraced an openly anti-Israel stance, which has frequently spilled over into broader anti-Semitic rhetoric and actions.

The government has supported and funded various proxy groups, such as Hezbollah and Hamas, which have carried out attacks against Jewish targets, both in the Middle East and globally. Iran's involvement in bombings, such as the 1994 attack on the AMIA Jewish community center in Buenos Aires, which killed 85 people, highlights its longstanding agenda of targeting Jewish communities far beyond its borders. The Islamic Republic's anti-Semitic propaganda, denial of the Holocaust, and calls for the destruction of Israel further fuel this deep-seated enmity, creating an environment where anti-Jewish violence is not only tolerated but encouraged.

According to two diplomats who spoke to Reuters, the two side are not interested in more escalation but the potential for further conflict remains, with the specter of Iran's influence hovering over the situation.

In one of the most significant escalations in the ongoing border conflict, Hezbollah launched a large barrage of rockets and drones at Israel early on Sunday. Minutes before, Israel preempted with a wave of airstrikes, deploying approximately 100 jets to target Hezbollah launchers in an effort to prevent a larger attack.

This latest clash marks the most intense fighting between the two sides in over ten months, igniting fears of a broader regional conflict that could draw in Hezbollah's backer, Iran, and Israel's key ally, the United States.

Despite the fierce exchanges, both Israel and Hezbollah have signaled a desire to avoid further escalation for now. Hezbollah’s leader, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, stated in a televised address that the group's attack, which was a retaliation for the assassination of senior commander Fuad Shukr last month, had been carried out "as planned." Nasrallah denied Israeli military claims that their pre-emptive strikes had thwarted a more extensive Hezbollah offensive, insisting that the group had not intended a larger attack. However, he warned that Hezbollah would assess the impact of its operation before deciding on any further action.

The potential for a wider conflict remains palpable. Any significant spillover in the fighting, which runs parallel to the ongoing war in Gaza, could lead to a regional conflagration involving Iran and the United States, which stands as Israel's principal ally.

As the death toll rises, with three confirmed fatalities in Lebanon and one in Israel, both sides have expressed a cautious willingness to de-escalate but have left the door open for future strikes.

Reports from Israel’s Channel 12 indicate that Israel has communicated to Hezbollah that it has no interest in escalating the conflict further and that the recent attacks were aimed solely at neutralizing a significant threat. Israeli officials have echoed this sentiment, with former Foreign Minister Eli Cohen emphasizing that Israel is not seeking a full-scale war.

In one of the rare Iranian reactions to the Hezbollah attacks, Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf said Hezbollah "successfully targeted Israel's sensitive military and intelligence sites" in its Sunday operation. "Today's defeat of Israel is on par with its defeat in the 2006 operation, and they cannot cover up this loss."

Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei avoided talking about the Hezbollah operation and the ongoing fight against Israel but made ambiguous comments about war during a religious ceremony. "War and fighting in the time of sword and blade took another form and at the time of atoms, virtual space and artificial intelligence, has taken another form...This battle takes different shapes based on the conditions and requirements [of time and place]."

In another part of the speech, he said, "In this prayer you vow to 'fight, whomever fights [the front of Islam] until judgment day'. This fight is eternal."

The Israeli ambassador to the United States, Michael Hertzog, told CBS News that he believes Iran is "contemplating an attack on Israel, but decided for now to put it on hold," citing a strong US military presence in the region as a key deterrent.

The Pentagon announced on Sunday that US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has directed two aircraft carrier strike groups to remain in the Middle East, bolstering the US military presence. This decision marks a shift in strategy, as the initial plan had been to deploy the Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group to replace the Theodore Roosevelt carrier strike group in the region.

Earlier, General Charles Brown, the top US military official and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, arrived in Israel just hours after significant cross-border clashes between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon. Brown is scheduled to meet with senior Israeli military officials during his visit.

Iranian citizens have sent messages to Iran International, rallying behind striking nurses and accusing the authorities of prioritizing repression over addressing the nurses’ legitimate grievances.

“The economy in Iran has become mafia-like, corrupt, and driven by nepotism. There are no longer any spoils to divide, and the government spends any revenue it has on militarization for its survival. This is the beginning of the end, and it will lead to the downfall of the Islamic Republic like other totalitarian regimes,” one audience member told Iran International in response to the ongoing situation.

The government owes nurses 75 trillion rials (approximately $117 million) in unpaid wages—a significant sum in a country where nurses earn just $200 a month. Meanwhile, Iranians voice frustration that the government continues to fund proxy groups such as Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Since August 5, nurses in 39 cities and approximately 70 hospitals across Iran have staged protests and strikes, demanding better pay and improved working conditions. These protests have spread to major cities like Tehran, Isfahan, Mashhad, and Ahvaz. Meanwhile, the state owes

Iranian authorities have cracked down on the protests, summoning numerous nurses to security agencies, arresting others, and issuing threats to stifle the movement.

On Sunday, the rights group Hengaw reported the arrest of 31-year-old nurse Pouria Esfandiari from Milad Hospital in Tehran for participating in the protests. Esfandiari has been denied contact with his family since his arrest last week.

One audience member likened the current nurses' strike to the early days of the Woman, Life, Freedom uprising, following the death of Mahsa Amini in police custody after her arrest for a hijab violation. First protests began near the hospital where she died and in a small town before the movement spread natiowide.

“Now, most of the country's hospitals have joined together and continue their protests, but because their protest is not like a revolutionary uprising in the streets, the authorities cannot easily assault them,” one audience member noted in a message to Iran International.

While security forces have not opened fire on protesters as they did during the "Woman, Life, Freedom" uprising—where at least 550 people were killed—the wave of arrests, including the case of Firouzeh Mojrian-Sharq, a protesting nurse who fell into a coma after being detained, is reminiscent of the brutal tactics used during the 2022 uprising.

Moreover, Iran International has received an outpouring of support for the nurses from citizens who remember their sacrifices during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Many have expressed anger in text, audio and video messages at how the authorities, instead of acknowledging the nurses’ contributions, have chosen to respond to their grievances with repression.

The Coordinating Council of Nurses' Protests issued a statement on Friday, urging nurses nationwide to stand firm and demand the release of detained colleagues. The council also called on artists, athletes, lawyers, and influential public figures to support the nurses and amplify their voices.

Despite the Iranian authority's efforts to quell the unrest, the protests continue to gain momentum. As public support for the nurses grows, the Islamic Republic faces increasing pressure to address the underlying issues rather than relying solely on repression. However, the sentiment among supporters is clear: the Islamic Republic views the protesting nurses as outsiders and deals with their demands through force rather than dialogue.

Although Pezeshkian's directives are often non-binding, formulaic statements aimed at guiding government officials, politicians are offering more concrete policy recommendations. They are urging Pezeshkian to take decisive steps, warning that these actions are crucial as a starting point for addressing the country's pressing challenges.

According to Aftab News, Pezeshkian's first advice to his ministers during his inaugural cabinet meeting was to "avoid appointing aides based on friendships and kinship ties." However, this guidance appeared contradictory to his own decision to appoint Alireza Kazemi, the brother of IRGC Intelligence Chief General Kazemi, as the Minister of Education.

Meanwhile, Pezeshkian has faced criticism for appointing long-time friends to key positions as vice president and ministers, with accusations that these choices were influenced by shared ethnic backgrounds. Notable examples include Vice President Mohammad Jafar Ghaem Panah, Shahram Dabiri, and Health Minister Mohammad Reza Zafarghandi.

Despite this, Pezeshkian advised his colleagues to appoint their aides "based on their capabilities and commitment to the country's strategic plans, rather than on friendship, kinship ties, or shared political affiliations." He emphasized that this approach would "ensure that all officials share a unified vision for the nation."

He further stressed the importance of clearly identifying the individuals responsible for executing their work plans, defining their specific duties, and establishing clear lines of accountability. Pezeshkian also urged his colleagues to approach their tasks with patience, advising against hasty decisions. This sentiment was likely reflected in the Health Minister's response to protesting nurses, asking them to wait at least three months before their unpaid wages totaling $117 million could be paid.

Pezeshkian also called on officials to be transparent with the public, encouraging them to openly explain the reasons behind any failures to fulfill earlier promises.

Meanwhile former lawmaker Heshmatollah Falahatpisheh suggested that the Pezeshkian administration should reduce international tensions as a first step to lifting some of the sanctions, to defend and uphold civil rights and to facilitate an economic reform.

Falahatpisheh, a former chief of the Iranian parliament's National Security and Foreign Relations Committee, emphasized that Pezeshkian's first priority should be to realign Iran's foreign policy to reduce international tensions, which in turn could lead to a reduction in sanctions against the country.

In the area of domestic politics, Falahatpisheh advised that the new government must uphold Iranians' civil rights, particularly regarding the enforcement of hijab regulations and the Morality Police's violent actions against women who defy compulsory hijab rules. He noted that this was a key promise Pezeshkian made during his election campaign. Falahatpisheh argued that the bill enforcing the compulsory hijab rule is out of touch with the realities of Iranian society and stressed that no law should aim to restrict people's freedoms.

For the third step, Falahatpisheh called for economic reform focused on development. He reminded the public that Pezeshkian had previously stated that powerful institutions, which have monopolized the country's economy, should be made accountable and transparent.

Not mentioning that most of such institutions are linked to Khamenei's office, the IRGC, and religious institutions with non-transparent missions, the politician said that Pezeshkian should carry out a review of the current year's budget. He said tens of trillions of rials in the annual budget have been allocated to institutions whose activities do not benefit the nation. He emphasized that Pezeshkian should make sure that all government and non-government bodies work for the benefit of the nation.

It launched hundreds of rockets and drones against Israel on Sunday in retaliation for the assassination of a senior commander in Beirut last month, the Iranian-backed movement said. The Israeli military said it had thwarted a much larger attack with pre-emptive strikes.

Here are some facts about Hezbollah's weapons:

Arsenal overview

The Iran-backed group possesses upwards of 150,000 missiles and rockets, according to the World Factbook of the US Central Intelligence Agency.

Hezbollah says it has rockets that can hit all areas of Israel. Many are unguided, but it also has precision missiles, drones and anti-tank, anti-aircraft and anti-ship missiles.

Hezbollah's main supporter and weapons supplier is Iran. Many of its weapons are Iranian, Russian or Chinese models.

Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah said in 2021 the group had 100,000 fighters. The CIA World Factbook says it was estimated in 2022 to have up to 45,000 fighters, roughly 20,000 of them full-time.

Land-attack rockets and missiles

Unguided rockets comprised the bulk of Hezbollah's missile arsenal in the last war with Israel in 2006, when the group fired about 4,000 into Israel - mostly Katyusha-style missiles with a range of 30 km (19 miles).

Nasrallah has said the biggest change in Hezbollah's arsenal since 2006 has been the expansion of its precision guidance systems and that the group has the ability to retrofit rockets with guidance systems within Lebanon.

Hezbollah has Iranian models, such as Raad (Arabic for Thunder), Fajr (Dawn) and Zilzal (Earthquake) rockets, which have a more powerful payload and longer range than Katyushas.

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Rockets fired by Hezbollah at Israel during the Gaza conflict since October have included Katyushas and Burkan (Volcano) missiles with an explosive payload of 300-500 kg.

Iranian-made Falaq 2 rockets, used for the first time in June, can carry a bigger warhead than the previously used Falaq 1.

Anti-tank missiles

Hezbollah used guided anti-tank missiles extensively in the 2006 war and has deployed them again, including the Russian-made Kornet.

It has also used an Iranian-made guided missile known as "al-Mas", according to a report by the pro-Iran Arabic broadcaster al-Mayadeen. The al-Mas can hit targets beyond the line of sight following an arched trajectory, enabling it to strike from above, a report by Israel's Alma Research and Education Center said.

The missile is part of a family of weapons made by Iran through reverse engineering based on the Israeli Spike missile family, the report said.

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Anti-aircraft missiles

Hezbollah has downed Israeli drones several times during this conflict using surface-to-air missiles, hitting Israeli Hermes 450 and Hermes 900 drones. Though Hezbollah was long believed to possess anti-aircraft missiles, these attacks have marked the first time the group had used this capability.

In another first, Hezbollah has said it fired at Israeli warplanes, forcing them to leave Lebanese airspace, without saying what type of weapon it used. It has not hit any.

Drones

Hezbollah has mounted numerous attacks with one-way explosive drones and has said it is using drones that drop bombs and return to Lebanon.

In some attacks, drones have been sent to distract Israeli air defences while others were flown at targets.

Hezbollah's arsenal includes the locally assembled Ayoub and Mersad models, which analysts say are cheap and relatively easy to produce.

Anti-ship missiles

Hezbollah first proved it had anti-ship missiles in 2006, when it hit an Israeli warship 16 km (10 miles) off the coast, killing four Israeli personnel and damaging the vessel.

Since the 2006 war, Hezbollah has acquired the Russian-made Yakhont anti-ship missile with a range of 300 km (186 miles), sources familiar with its arsenal say. Hezbollah has not confirmed it has the weapon.

(Factbox by Reuters)