Author: M Barbu

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The destabilizing actions of the Islamic Republic of Iran and its armed proxy groups, known as the Axis of Resistance, threaten vital US interests in the Middle East and beyond, ranging from the security and stability of US allies to the free flow of energy and maritime commerce—and deterring Iran from becoming a nuclear-weapons state requires urgent attention. How the United States should approach Iran will remain one of Washington’s primary foreign policy challenges for years to come. This report aims to provide a comprehensive strategic plan that can guide US executive branch leadership, members of Congress, the military, diplomats, and others who have roles in shaping US foreign policy toward Iran for the next four years, with an eye toward the next two decades.

Hassan Khomeini, grandson of the leader of the Iranian Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, said in an October 5, 2024 interview on Channel 1 (Iran) that Israel will not back down unless it is faced with force and power, therefore, he suggested that it is time to increase Iran’s military deterrence. He said that Iran’s solution for a Palestinian state is a referendum with the participation of the Palestinian refugees, and this will “ultimately wipe out Israel.”

Hizbullah-affiliated Lebanese Minister of Labor Moustafa Bayram said in a September 29, 2024 interview that aired on NBN TV (Lebanon) that Hizbullah is a “miraculous resistance movement.” He said that no other movement would survive 5,000 of its fighters being put out of commission in two two-minute explosions and the killing of the “crown jewel” Hassan Nasrallah. Bayram added: “Allah is with us on the battlefield.”

Hizbullah Deputy Secretary-General Naim Qassem said in an October 8, 2024 address that Hizbullah supports the ceasefire initiative of parliament speaker and head of the Amal movement Nabih Berri, who he referred to as a “big brother.” He further said that despite Netanyahu’s “lies,” this is not a war over Iran and its influence over the region. Qassem added that Iran and Hizbullah are helping the Palestinians to liberate their own land. The address was aired on Al-Manar TV (Hizbullah-Lebanon) and was clipped via a Sky News Arabia TV (UAE) broadcast.

WASHINGTON, DC The U.S. Treasury Department has designated the Al-Aqsa Foundation as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) entity under Executive Order 13224. As a result of this designation by Treasurys Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), all assets of the Al-Aqsa Foundation are blocked and transactions with the organization are prohibited.

And How It Can Regain Its Strategic Edge

The massacre of October 7, 2023, was one of the most horrific atrocities perpetrated since World War II. On that day, Hamas-led militants kidnapped Israeli children, raped Israeli women, beheaded Israeli men, and burned alive entire Israeli families in their homes. But beyond this human and moral calamity, the catastrophe that befell Israel on a bleak Sabbath morning reverberates with historic significance. Because it took place in the immediate vicinity of Gaza—the one place in which Israel had dismantled settlements and withdrawn to the 1967 border—this massacre was an attack on the idea of a Jewish state in any part of the land of Israel. Because its very essence was the slaughter of peace-loving kibbutzniks and life-celebrating music festival attendees, it was an assault on the existence of a liberal and cosmopolitan democracy in the Middle East. And because it led to a surge of anti-Semitism the likes of which had not been seen since 1945, it was a blatant act of aggression against the Jewish people as a whole.

The turbulent year since Hamas’s brutal attack on Israel draws to a close, marked by a sharp escalation in conflict between Israel and Iran and its proxies. Four CFR experts assess the changes since the attacks.

One year after Hamas’s surprise attack on Israel, Elliott Abrams examines the extraordinary response of Israel’s government and society; Linda Robinson catalogues the wrenching toll on Palestinians in Gaza; Ray Takeyh surveys Iran’s newly challenged network of regional allies; and Steven Cook explores how much expanding conflict has tested U.S.-Israeli ties.

Against the backdrop of the tension between Israel and Iran, and following Iran’s October 1, 2024 missile attack on Israel, Qatar has aligned itself with Iran. A delegation of Iranian ministers and officials headed by President Masoud Pezeshkian arrived in Qatar to participate in the Asia Cooperation Dialogue Forum, held in Doha. During the visit the two countries promoted cooperation in various fields, including economy, energy, culture and education. In addition, according to President Pezeshkian, “significant progress was made on $6bn in Iranian assets held in Qatar.”

On October 4, the US military said it attacked Iran-backed Houthi military facilities in Yemen.

“U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces conducted strikes on 15 Houthi targets in Iranian-backed Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen today at about 5 p.m. (Sanaa time). These targets included Houthi offensive military capabilities. These actions were taken to protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure for U.S., coalition, and merchant vessels,” stated CENTCOM.

To protect its ally, Britain’s military is refusing to give details about its coaching of Israeli troops.

The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has rejected a freedom of information request that would shed light on training it is providing to Israeli armed forces personnel in Britain.