The Levant Files

Israel's unprecedented aerial assault on Iran has fundamentally altered the regional security landscape, leaving Tehran grappling with devastating military losses and exposing critical weaknesses in its defense systems that have sent shockwaves through the Islamic Republic. According to a new analysis of the Al-Monitor, the Israeli operation, codenamed "Rising Lion," represents the most extensive attack on Iranian territory since the Iran-Iraq War, targeting nuclear facilities and eliminating key military leadership in what Israeli officials describe as gaining control of Iranian airspace "from western Iran to Tehran." The strikes have continued for multiple days, with explosions reported near Tehran's Mehrabad airport and Israeli leaders warning that "Tehran will burn" if missile attacks persist. Devastating Leadership Losses The Israeli offensive has decimated Iran's military hierarchy, killing over a dozen senior commanders in what appears ...

In Amirhad Anvari's incisive analysis for Iran International, the spotlight falls on the Islamic Republic of Iran's paradoxical pivot toward nationalism amid escalating tensions with Israel. The author contends that the regime, long characterized by a deep-seated antagonism toward Iranian nationalism, is now strategically invoking nationalist sentiments to garner public support during a crisis. This tactical shift, Anvari argues, presents a stark contrast to the Islamic Republic's historical prioritization of Islamic universalism over national identity, revealing a pragmatic maneuver to unify a fragmented populace under the specter of an external threat. Anvari traces the ideological foundations of the Islamic Republic to its founder, Ruhollah Khomeini, who explicitly rejected nationalism as a colonial construct and an obstacle to a unified Islamic nation. Khomeini's vision, articulated in works like "Wilayat al-Faqih," emphasized a supranational Islamic stat...

In a perilous escalation of decades-long tensions, the conflict between Israel and Iran has reached a critical breaking point, with military strikes threatening to spiral into a full-scale war. The risk is particularly acute if attacks on energy infrastructure intensify or if Iran moves to close the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global oil transit route. Turkish analyst Fehim Taştekin, in a recent and incisive analysis on his YouTube Channel , dissected the strategic maneuvers, devastating consequences, and far-reaching implications of this volatile clash. As of June 15, the violence shows no signs of abating, stoking fears of a broader regional catastrophe. Taştekin reports that the latest surge of hostilities erupted on the night of June 12-13, when Israel initiated a series of precision strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, military bases, radar systems, missile launch sites, and critical infrastructure. High-ranking Iranian commanders and nuclear scientists were also targeted. Dubbed ...

  As the specter of conflict looms over the Middle East with the approaching sixth round of nuclear negotiations between Iran and the United States, the intricate web of regional tensions continues to unravel. In a recent episode of the "Kuş Bakışı" (Bird's Eye View) program on the Alan YouTube channel , hosted by Gökçe Çiçek Köşedağı, Turkish academic and international relations expert Soli Özel delivered a piercing critique of the current geopolitical landscape. Central to his analysis was a stark observation: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government prioritizes political survival above all, exploiting regional tensions to shore up its precarious domestic standing. This provocative insight casts a shadow over the already fragile prospects for peace as global powers grapple with the risk of escalation in an increasingly volatile region. Özel began by situating the current standoff within the historical context of the 2015 nuclear deal, known as the Join...

In the wake of reported Israeli military actions in Iran earlier this week, members of the Iranian diaspora and regime opponents are closely monitoring the situation, overwhelmingly blaming the Islamic Republic for the escalating conflict and its impact on ordinary citizens. Media outlets like Iran International have been inundated with messages from Iranians across various cities, sharing firsthand accounts and videos of the aftermath. These reports, according to commentators, reveal widespread public anger directed squarely at the Iranian government. Shirin Shams, a representative of the Stockholm-based "Women's Revolution Organization," speaking to Iran International, stated, "Without a doubt, the Islamic Republic is the cause and instigator of this war." She argued that the regime historically "misuses warmongering and an external enemy to suppress internal dissent and protests," a tactic she believes the Iranian people are acutely aware of. ...

  New, highly explicit statements from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Minister of Diaspora Affairs Amichai Chikli, and a supportive call from Reza Pahlavi, son of Iran’s last Shah, provide compelling new indications that Israel’s strategic aims concerning Iran extend significantly beyond deterrence, pointing towards an active interest in fostering regime change. ​Prime Minister Netanyahu’s June 13th video message, delivered directly to the Iranian populace, marks a notable escalation in rhetoric. He urged Iranians “to unite… by standing up for your freedom,” casting Israel’s ongoing “Operation Rising Lion” not merely as a defensive maneuver but as an action intended to “clear the path for you to achieve your freedom.” By denouncing the “murderous Islamic regime that oppresses and impoverishes you,” Netanyahu explicitly framed Israeli military action as a catalyst for internal liberation, a significant departure from more ambiguous prior stances. ​This sentiment was dire...

Israel's Mossad intelligence agency is likely deeply embedded within Iran, fostering persistent fears and paranoia among the upper echelons of the Iranian government regarding the spy agency's extensive infiltration, according to Middle East expert Dr. Eric Mandel. Speaking on the Eye for Iran podcast, Mandel, director of the Middle East Political and Information Network (MEPIN), highlighted the significant reach he believes Israeli intelligence operations have achieved inside the Islamic Republic. Mandel elaborated that this belief in Mossad's pervasive presence creates a climate of intense suspicion within Tehran. As reported by Iran International, he explained the regime's mindset: "Even if it wasn't true, the Iranian regime believes Mossad is everywhere and has penetrated everything." This pervasive fear, Mandel argued, "makes even people who are loyal look suspicious, which makes them be on the defensive," further destabilizing the internal ...

In a region already fraught with tension, covert agreements linking Israel with its Eastern Mediterranean neighbors, Greece and Cyprus, may soon come into play should Iran launch a significant military assault. Sources from Greece and Turkey have been deliberating this scenario in Nicosia, Ankara, and Athens, highlighting the deepening strategic ties among the trio amid strained Turkish-Israeli relations over the past decade. According to exclusive insights obtained by the Levant Files from multiple credible sources, in the recent period, Israel has forged critical "understandings" with Cyprus and Greece. A Greek source, speaking on condition of anonymity, emphasized that both nations stand ready to extend military and civilian assistance to Israel if Tehran retaliates against Israeli strikes on Iranian soil with unprecedented large-scale attacks. The source further revealed that, under prior military and political agreements, strategic Israeli assets could be stationed in Cy...

Turkey today issued urgent calls for de-escalation and expressed grave concern following news of extensive Israeli airstrikes targeting high-level military and nuclear facilities in Iran, including near the capital, Tehran. The pre-dawn attacks, reportedly codenamed "Operation Rising Lion" by Israel and resulting in significant Iranian military casualties, have dramatically escalated tensions across an already volatile Middle East, prompting Ankara to closely monitor the unfolding crisis and its profound implications for regional stability and Turkish interests. The Israeli offensive, long anticipated by regional analysts, immediately thrust Turkey into a complex diplomatic and strategic calculus. According to Mehmet Öğütçü , "Israel's attack on Iran was expected for some time. The attack has increased tension in the Middle East. The Israel-Iran conflict means new tests for Turkey." Öğütçü's analysis highlights that the strikes, which reportedly killed senio...

Reports emerged in the early hours of Friday morning indicating that Israel has conducted a military strike inside Iranian territory, significantly escalating tensions in an already volatile Middle East. The attack, confirmed by U.S. officials to international media, appears to be a retaliatory measure following Iran's unprecedented drone and missile assault on Israel nearly a week ago. Details surrounding the nature and extent of the Israeli operation remain opaque, with conflicting accounts emerging from various sources. Context This Israeli action follows Iran's launch of over 300 drones and missiles at Israel on April 13th. That attack was, in turn, a retaliation for a suspected Israeli airstrike on an Iranian consular building in Damascus, Syria, on April 1st, which killed several senior Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commanders. Key Developments Location of Impact: Iranian state media acknowledged "explosions" heard in the central Isfahan province. Isf...

Tensions between Israel and Iran are reportedly set for a significant escalation, with Israeli officials warning of a potential "month of war blows" between the long-standing adversaries. This stark assessment, emerging from a period already fraught with confrontations, has heightened fears across the Middle East of a broader regional conflagration that could draw in other state and non-state actors. The grim forecast underscores the precarious security situation that has followed recent tit-for-tat military actions. The specific warning of an intensified period of conflict was highlighted by The Jerusalem Post, which, in an article titled " Israeli official: Month ahead to be of war blows between Israel, Iran," cited an unnamed senior Israeli official predicting this volatile outlook. While the exact nature of these "war blows " remains publicly unspecified, it suggests a continued pattern of direct military strikes, covert operations, cyber-attacks, or a...

A wave of furious condemnation and vows of retaliation has swept across Iran following a reported Israeli attack on its soil that resulted in the death of the nation's Armed Forces chief. The Pezeshkian administration has declared that Iran will "write the ending to this story," signaling a significant escalation in rhetoric and a promise of decisive action. The state-affiliated Nournews site reported the death of Iran's Armed Forces chief in what it described as an Israeli attack, a development that has sent shockwaves through the region. In response, Habibollah Sayyari has been appointed as the acting commander of the armed forces, ensuring continuity of leadership amidst the crisis. Iranian officials have been unequivocal in their condemnation and their intent to retaliate. The Foreign Ministry issued a strong statement asserting Iran's "legitimate right to respond to Israel," framing any future actions as a justified consequence of perceived Israeli ...

Recent developments indicate a renewed focus on dialogue concerning the peaceful settlement of the Kurdish issue in Turkey, with the Peoples' Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party announcing preparations for a significant visit. DEM Parti spokesperson Ayşegül Doğan stated on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, that the party is planning a visit to İmralı Island "as soon as possible" to meet with Abdullah Öcalan, the imprisoned leader of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). Doğan announced that a DEM Parti delegation, potentially including co-chairs, intends to consult with Öcalan to "understand and explain the current period and to organize more strongly." She added, "It is also highly probable that Mr. Öcalan will meet with representatives of different political parties in the coming days." This potential for broader engagement arises in the context of what Doğan referred to as a "process and roadmap" initiated by Öcalan's call on February 27. A k...

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to undertake a significant two-day official visit to Cyprus on June 15-16, 2025, at the invitation of Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides. This landmark visit marks the first by an Indian Prime Minister to the island nation in 23 years, heralding a renewed focus on bolstering strategic and economic partnerships between the two countries. The visit will commence on June 15, with President Christodoulides personally welcoming Prime Minister Modi upon his arrival at Larnaca's "Glafkos Clerides" International Airport. Following the arrival, both leaders will travel to Limassol to participate in a roundtable discussion with prominent business figures from India and Cyprus. This engagement aims to explore and enhance avenues for economic collaboration and investment. The day will conclude with an informal working dinner, providing an opportunity for the leaders to engage in candid discussions. The official engagements will in...

A significant divergence in Western foreign policy is becoming increasingly apparent as nations, including the United States, extend a welcoming hand to Syria's new president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, while maintaining a stance of deep isolation towards the Taliban-led government in Afghanistan. This contrast is vividly illustrated by Sharaa's recent high-profile diplomatic engagements, including meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron and praise from U.S. President Donald Trump, juxtaposed with Afghanistan's inclusion in an updated U.S. travel ban from which Syria has now been notably spared. This dramatic shift in diplomatic fortunes is explored in a recent analysis by Adam Weinstein, Deputy Director of the Middle East Program at the Quincy Institute, titled " Why the West Embraced Syria and Ditched Afghanistan: From Diplomatic Visits to Travel Bans, Damascus is Getting a pass ." Weinstein argues that "recognition hinges less on legal norms or territorial co...

President Masoud Pezeshkian declared on Wednesday evening that any dialogue with the United States would strictly adhere to the policies set forth by Iran's Revolutionary Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, asserting that Tehran would "not yield to force," particularly concerning its nuclear program. Speaking to political and social activists in Ilam province, Pezeshkian emphasized Iran's sovereign right to scientific research. "The basis of the talks with the United States is the policies of the Leader of the Revolution, and it is not that we give in to force," he stated, according to IRNA. "We will never accept that our research be reduced to zero and then wait for their approval to receive the nuclear materials needed in industry, medicine, agriculture, and other sciences. Who said that we should not be allowed to conduct scientific research? What business are they to tell us to dismantle our entire nuclear industry?" While reiterating the Leader...

US President Donald Trump has voiced increasing frustration with Iran's nuclear negotiations, warning of severe consequences if Tehran refuses to abandon its uranium enrichment program. Speaking on June 10, 2025, Trump described Iran as "much more aggressive" in its demands, particularly regarding its insistence on continuing domestic uranium enrichment — a move the US deems unacceptable. The president emphasized that while diplomacy remains his preference, a military option remains on the table if talks collapse. As Andrew Parasiliti detailed in his new article , published by the Al-Monitor, "Trump's patience may be running out on Iran," the current focus on divisions between Trump's "MAGA" faction and hawkish voices misses a broader narrative. Since January, Trump has been orchestrating a sophisticated, multi-faceted approach to Iran diplomacy. This includes leveraging regional allies, such as Israel and the Gulf states, credible military thr...

The Syrian interim government, led by Ahmed Al-Sharaa, has commenced the formal integration of approximately 3,500 foreign fighters into the newly formed 84th Division of the Syrian Army. This cohort includes a significant number of Uyghurs from China and Central Asia, many previously affiliated with the Turkistan Islamic Party (TIP), a group with past links to al-Qaeda. The move, reportedly greenlit by the United States, is presented as a pragmatic step towards post-war stabilization but has ignited widespread concern. Writing for The New Arab on June 10, Robert Bociaga details how this policy is viewed as a way to reshape Syria's power dynamics and ideological alignment. The integration marks a dramatic shift from years of conflict between these militant groups and state forces, raising alarms among Syrian minorities and drawing denunciations from rival jihadist factions like the Islamic State, which has launched a propaganda campaign against Al-Sharaa. Experts offer varied pers...

In a notable display of cross-party unity, prominent peers Baroness Thangam Debbonaire (Labour) and Lord David Frost (Conservative) have jointly called for the return of the Parthenon sculptures, often referred to as the Elgin Marbles, to Greece. The parliamentarians argue that such a move would usher in a new era of cultural collaboration between the United Kingdom and Greece, thereby reinforcing Britain's connection to European civilization. Writing in The Times on June 09, in an article titled " Why it is time to return the Parthenon sculptures to Greece ," Thangam Debbonaire and David Frost stated, "Whether we are part of the EU or not, Britain is fully part of European civilization and culture. That is why both of us believe it is time to return the Parthenon sculptures to Athens." They highlighted that talks, which began four years ago between the Greek government and the British Museum's chairman, George Osborne, have now resumed after stalling due to...

Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) issued a stark warning on Monday, declaring that Tehran would use recently obtained strategic information to target Israeli atomic sites if its nuclear facilities come under attack. The council further cautioned that any "act of evil against [Iran's] economic and military infrastructure" would be met with a precise, reciprocal response. According to Nournews, the SNSC highlighted its intelligence apparatus's success in acquiring a "vast quantity of strategic and sensitive information and documents related to the Zionist regime's nuclear sites." The council's statement asserted this intelligence enables its armed forces to "immediately counter any potential attack by the Zionist regime on the country's nuclear facilities by attacking its secret nuclear facilities" using the gathered documents and data. This threat was bolstered by a separate announcement from Iran's Ministry of Inte...

A former head of Israeli military intelligence, Maj.-Gen. (res.) Tamir Hayman has put forward a revised strategy for ending the conflict in Gaza and addressing the "day after." His proposal emphasizes an immediate cessation of hostilities in exchange for the simultaneous return of all hostages, followed by continued Israeli military raids and a significantly delayed, reformed Palestinian Authority (PA) takeover, differing from earlier Egyptian-Arab initiatives. Hayman, currently the Executive Director of the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS), argues this approach is key to achieving Israel's long-term goals while addressing the urgent hostage crisis. According to a report in The Jerusalem Post , Hayman's position paper acknowledges that while many principles align with the April 2025 Egyptian–Arab proposal, his amendments are crucial. Most notably, he insists on "the disarmament of Hamas and the assurance that it will not be able to rebuild its milit...

The political alliance between former US President Donald Trump and tech billionaire Elon Musk has collapsed, marking a significant shift in American power dynamics. What was once hailed as a partnership between the "world's most powerful man" and the "world's richest man" has devolved into public accusations and mutual blame. According to Sol Haber columnist Engin Solakoğlu , this breakdown reflects deeper structural problems within US leadership and global influence. The former Turkish diplomat argues that while Turkey was preoccupied with holiday celebrations and domestic issues, international media extensively covered this high-profile political divorce. Struggling to Deliver Campaign Promises Trump's presidency has faced considerable challenges in implementing his ambitious agenda. Despite efforts to transform the Middle East into a region favorable to capital interests, significant obstacles remain. While developments in Syria and parts of Palestin...

Former Turkish Foreign Minister and Future Party leader Ahmet Davutoğlu announced his intention to visit Gaza following Israel's interception of the humanitarian aid vessel Madleen, which was carrying supplies to the besieged Palestinian territory. The incident has sparked widespread condemnation from Turkish political figures and renewed calls for international action. According to Turkish news outlet T24, the Madleen sailboat was intercepted by Israeli forces approximately 185 kilometers from the Gaza Strip while carrying humanitarian aid. The vessel's 12 activists, including prominent climate activist Greta Thunberg and Irish actor Liam Cunningham, were detained, and the ship was escorted to Israel. Among those detained were Turkish citizens Yasemin Acar and Hüseyin Şuayb Ordu, a German national of Turkish origin. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz's office announced that the arrested activists would be shown footage of Hamas's October 7, 2023 attacks, a move that ...

In a bold statement on Monday, the head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), Mohammad Eslami, declared that Iran would "powerfully" advance its peaceful nuclear energy program as a direct response to what he described as a campaign of misinformation and sabotage orchestrated by Western nations and their allies. This announcement comes amid heightened tensions with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Western powers over Iran's nuclear activities, with Eslami asserting that external pressures will not deter the country's progress in this field. According to Nournews, a prominent Iranian media outlet, Eslami made these remarks during an interview with Qatar's Al Araby TV. He emphasized that Iran's commitment to advancing its nuclear work is unwavering, stating, "We are under no illusion about continuing down this path with strength." He framed this approach as a "clear answer" to Western efforts to tarnish Iran's...

Turkey’s economic crisis has reached a boiling point, with soaring food prices and stagnant wages pushing basic staples like meat out of reach for millions. As the nation marks Bayram, a holiday traditionally celebrated with feasts, reports reveal a grim reality: one in three households cannot afford meat, poultry, or fish, highlighting the collapse of purchasing power amid unchecked inflation and controversial agricultural policies.   According to a new report by Sol Haber , Turkey’s working class faces worsening deprivation. The article highlights how nominal wage hikes have failed to keep pace with hyperinflation, which has cumulatively increased by more than 1,000% since 2018. For retirees, once-sufficient bonuses now buy mere kilograms of meat instead of whole animals. At the same time, minimum-wage earners must allocate a fifth of their income to afford meat—a staple now relegated to “luxury” status.   From Livestock to Crumbs: A Broken System The crisis is rooted in yea...

As diplomatic efforts to revive the 2015 nuclear accord remain deadlocked, Iran is ramping up its military preparations, signaling readiness for a potential confrontation with Israel while deepening strategic ties with China to secure critical missile resources. Five rounds of U.S.-Iran negotiations since mid-March, mediated by Oman, have failed to bridge gaps over Tehran’s uranium enrichment program. Washington insists the program could enable nuclear weapons development, while Iran defends it as a sovereign right. ​According to Al-Monitor , the stalemate has spurred Tehran to expand its defensive and offensive capabilities. Recent weeks have seen Iran unveil fortified underground “missile cities”—bunkers designed to withstand airstrikes and house ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones under the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Satellite imagery and state media broadcasts depict vast stockpiles, emphasizing readiness for rapid deployment. Parallel to these developmen...