TOP STORIES
US Charges Hamas Leaders Over Oct. 7 Attack On Israel | Reuters
The United States announced criminal charges on Tuesday against Hamas' top leaders over their roles in planning, supporting and perpetrating the deadly Oct. 7 attack in southern Israel. The charges against Yahya Sinwar, the militant group's chief, and at least five others accuse them of orchestrating the Oct. 7 attack, which killed 1,200 people, including more than 40 Americans. That attack triggered an Israeli assault on Gaza that has killed more than 40,800 Palestinians and laid waste to much of the territory.
As Iran threatens to attack Israel over the assassination of a Hamas leader in the Iranian capital, its long-vaunted missile program offers one of the few ways for Tehran to strike back directly, but questions loom over just how much of a danger it poses. The program was behind Iran’s unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on Israel in April when Iran became the first nation to launch such a barrage since Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein lobbed Scud missiles at Israel in the 1991 Gulf War. But few of the Iranian projectiles reached their targets.
Hezbollah Launches Largest Rocket Attack On Israel’s North Since Last Month | The Jerusalem Post
Hezbollah on Wednesday launched its largest attack on the North since August 25, with 48 rocket sirens going off shortly after noon. It was clear that compared to the average of less than 20 rocket sirens per day over the last week, the Lebanese terror group had re-upped its threat level against Israel. The IDF subsequently said that some 65 rockets crossed into Israeli territory.
UANI IN THE NEWS
Jason Brodsky, policy director at United Against Nuclear Iran, noted that “some of those charged are dead, but others like Khaled Mashal reside in non-NATO ally Qatar.” “They should be handed over to U.S. custody,” he wrote. “Interestingly, the indictment notes that at least one of the defendants ‘is expected to be first brought to and arrested in the Southern District of New York.’”
Is The US Losing The Battle Against Iran-Backed Houthis | Iran International
“We have a deterrence deficit with Iran. They have been attacking our forces. They have been attacking commercial vessels, with impunity since October 2023,” said Jason Brodsky, the policy director for United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI). The root of the problem, said Brodsky, are US policymakers advocating for risk aversion… “Deterrence against the Houthis has failed, “said Brodsky. “The United States is aiming at radars, drones, missile launchers and that kind of material without going after more strategic targets like the port of Hodeida that Israel bombed after the Houthis sent a drone that exploded in Tel Aviv," he added.
MISSILE PROGRAM
Takeaways From A Report That Questions The Accuracy Of Iran's Ballistic Missiles | ABC News
As Iran threatens to retaliate against Israel over the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, the accuracy of the Islamic Republic's long-vaunted missile program has been called into question. A new report by experts shared exclusively with The Associated Press suggests one of the advanced missiles Tehran would use in any future attack against Israel is far less accurate than previously thought. The finding comes months after a U.S.-led coalition shot down many drones and missiles launched by Iran in an April attack on Israel. Other projectiles apparently failed at launch or crashed while in flight.
PROTESTS & HUMAN RIGHTS
Iran Court Upholds Death Penalty For Guard Volunteer In Protest Killing | Voice Of America
Iran's Supreme Court has upheld a death sentence imposed on a member of the all-volunteer wing of the country's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard who stormed a house during the 2022 protests over the death of Mahsa Amini and killed a 60-year-old man, a lawyer said Tuesday. The sentence imposed on the Basij member marks a rare moment for Iran to hold accountable its security forces, who waged a bloody, monthslong crackdown on all dissent over Amini's death. More than 500 people were killed and more than 22,000 were detained. Since then, Iran has put to death multiple protesters who were detained in the crackdown and accused of killing security forces, after closed-door trials criticized by activists abroad.
An Iranian Man’s Death And The Sate’s Enduring Torture Tactics | Iran International
The recent death of Mohammad Mir-Mousavi, who succumbed to injuries from severe torture while in custody, has once again revealed the pervasive abuse within Iran's police, security, and judicial institutions. The case, occurring at a detention center in northern Gilan province, starkly illustrates that extrajudicial killings are not isolated incidents but integral to the state’s broader system of repression and oppression. For some time now, human rights activists have identified several of Iran's detention centers as particularly deadly for prisoners, including Shapour Intelligence Detention Center in Tehran and others in Shiraz, Yasuj, Bushehr, Bandar Abbas, and Zahedan. Among these, Shapour Detention Center in southern Tehran stands out as one of the most notorious, often referred to as the "dungeon for prisoners."
MILITARY/INTELLIGENCE MATTERS & PROXY WARS
As U.S. Readies Last Cease-Fire Push, Netanyahu Digs In On Border Demands | The Washington Post
As he fights for his political survival, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s insistence on keeping troops on a narrow strip of land along the Gaza-Egypt border has become the main obstacle to a cease-fire and hostage-release agreement with Hamas, according to current and former officials from mediating countries. After many months of inconclusive talks, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris discussed with advisers on Monday how to move forward with a final “take it or leave it” proposal to present to Israel and Hamas, potentially as soon as this week.
GULF STATES, YEMEN, & IRAN
Six Dead As Iranian Ship Capsizes In Kuwaiti Waters | Al Arabiya
Six crew members have died after an Iranian merchant ship capsized in Kuwaiti waters, Iran’s official news agency IRNA reported Tuesday. “The Arabakhtar I ship, whose six crew members were of Indian and Iranian nationality, sank on Sunday,” Nasser Passandeh, head of Iran’s port and maritime navigation authority, was quoted by IRNA as saying.
IRAQ & IRAN
The Babylon Brigades, which identifies as a Christian militia in Iraq but has Shiite Muslim members and is closely tied to Iran, is taking over Ninevah Plains towns in the country’s Christian heartland, displacing Christian mayors and officials on behalf of Iran after Islamic State was swept out. A militia leader closely linked to Iran, Rayan al-Kildani, has removed Christian officials in the historic Christian towns of Iraq’s Ninevah Plains, said Nadine Maenza, president of the Washington-based International Religious Freedom Secretariat, who recently visited the area.
TURKEY & IRAN
Turkey, NATO Member, Submits Formal Application To Join BRICS | Al-Monitor
Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party confirmed Tuesday that Ankara formally applied to the China-led BRICS group. “Our president has already expressed multiple times that we wish to become a member of BRICS,” party spokesperson Omer Celik told journalists during a press conference. “Our request in this matter is clear, and the process is proceeding within this framework.” The remarks came in response to an earlier report by Bloomberg that NATO member Turkey formally applied to the bloc several months ago.
OTHER FOREIGN AFFAIRS
Iran Summons Australian Ambassador Over 'Norm-Breaking' Content Online | Reuters
ran summoned Australia's ambassador in Tehran over the publication of online content it deemed "norm-breaking", the semi-official ILNA news agency said on Tuesday, a day after state media said the post "promoted homosexuality". The post on the embassy's official Instagram account celebrated "Wear it Purple Day" and expressed dedication to creating "a supporting environment where everyone, especially LGBTQIA+ youth, can feel proud to be themselves". ILNA quoted Australian Ambassador Ian McConville as saying the post was not intended to insult the Iranian people and their values, and that the Islamic Republic was not mentioned in it.