In recent years, Irans geopolitical focus has been expanding beyond its immediate region. A striking illustration of this approach is the nations deepening engagement with East Africa, with Uganda, Kenya, and Zimbabwe becoming focal points of Irans African policy. The recent trip by Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi to these countries marked a significant development in Irans engagement with the continent.

Background and Context

Irans ties with Africa are rooted in both history and shared challenges. During the Cold War, Iran supported decolonization efforts across the continent, creating a common bond of post-colonial identity. Since the Islamic Revolution in 1979, Iran has sought to forge partnerships with African nations based on mutual economic, political, and strategic interests. During his term from 2005 to 2013, former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad actively sought engagement with Africa, viewing it as a shield against international sanctions. His strategy was broad and ideological, premised on religious ties with Shia Islam communities, South-South cooperation, and anti-Western sentiment.

The post A New Beginning in Iran-Africa Relations appeared first on Geopolitical Monitor.

UN earthquake rescue system blocked in Syria and Iran by US sanctions

Press TV July 25, 2023

The Islamic Republic of Iran Navy and the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy have taken delivery of domestically designed and manufactured Abu Mahdi cruise missile, which features state-of-the-art technologies suitable for electronic warfare.

The indigenous missile was supplied to the two naval forces during a ceremony on Tuesday with defense authorities in attendance.

Abu Mahdi naval cruise missile has reportedly been developed by military experts at Aerospace Industries Organization (AIO), a subordinate of the Iranian Defense Ministry and a leading high-tech complex headquartered in Tehran.

It is said to be the first homegrown long-range naval cruise missile that employs artificial intelligence in the software for designing the missiles flight path and the command and control systems.

The missile can penetrate into natural and artificial barriers, as well as the enemys radar and defense systems and strike designated targets from different directions.

Due to the incorporation of highly destructive explosive materials in its warhead, Abu Mahdi can destroy all types of ships, frigates, and destroyers.

It can be fired from the depths of the Iranian soil toward moving targets in the sea using an advanced integrated navigation system and a powerful propulsion system.

Abu Mahdi is the first long-range naval cruise missile in Iran that uses dual-mode active and passive seekers.

The technology enables the missile to counter the enemys electronic warfare and increases its stealth capabilities when approaching the target and hitting it. All this happens with the enemy not having noticed the missile and missing the opportunity to give a timely response.

Its launcher can load and fire missiles in the shortest possible time and can launch several projectiles in quick succession and from different directions toward a specific target, with the missiles hitting the designated target all at once.

The missile can be fired from all types of mobile and fixed launch pads, and its navigation system is capable of updating the targets final position during the cruise.

The military achievement has been named after the former deputy head of Iraqs Popular Mobilization Units who was assassinated along with top Iranian anti-terror commander Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani in a US drone strike ordered by former President Donald Trump near the Baghdad International Airport in January 2020

Abu Mahdi renders enemy aircraft carriers useless

Commander of the IRGC Navy Rear Admiral Alireza Tangsiri said one of the main features of the new missile is keeping the enemy away from the Iranian coasts and rendering its aircraft carriers useless.

He explained that if an Iranian military vessel sails 1,000 kilometers offshore a...

The Cradle | July 25, 2023

Members of Bolivias far-right opposition and the Argentinian government are demanding that La Paz disclose the details of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on defense and security affairs signed between Defense Ministers Edmundo Novillo y Mohamad Reza Ashtiani in Tehran last week.

They say that [Iran] will give us drones. Others say they will give us missiles. All of this sounds strange, even more so considering it involves Iran I cant understand why Bolivia is getting involved in such a complex and difficult relationship, said lawmaker Gustavo Aliaga, who belongs to the Comunidad Ciudadana (CC) party.

In 2019, CC leader Carlos Mesa supported the US-orchestrated coup that forced socialist leader Evo Morales to flee Bolivia, leaving it under the control of a far-right dictatorship that conducted multiple massacres of Morales supporters and sought to surrender the countrys massive lithium deposits to western transnationals.

The Argentinian foreign ministry also demanded explanations from La Paz on Monday under pressure from the Delegation of Argentinian Israeli Associations (DAIA), who said the MoU risks for the security of Argentina and the region due to Tehrans ties with Lebanese resistance group Hezbollah.

In a press release, DAIA called on the Argentinian government to condemn this agreement and demand Bolivia reconsider its decision.

Buenos Aires blames Hezbollah and Iran for the 1994 bombing of the AMIA Jewish community center that left 85 dead. Both Tehran and Hezbollah deny the accusation.

The statements by the CC and DAIA came on the heels of a report by the neoconservative Institute for the Study of War (ISW), which claims that the deal between Tehran and La Paz includes the delivery of Iranian drones for the South American nation.

Last week, Iran agreed to help Bolivia combat drug trafficking along its borders and boost cooperation with the Bolivian army.

[Due to] Bolivias critical needs in terms of border defense and the fight against drug trafficking, we will establish collaboration in equipment and specialized knowledge, Ashtiani said following his meeting with the Bolivian defense minister last week.

For his part, Novillo said Iran is a role model for nations that seek freedom,...

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• On July 24, a U.S. logistical convoy was targeted by IED attack in the Babil province;
• On July 24, a Turkish serviceman was killed in northern Iraq during the Operation Claw Lock, according to the Turkish MOD;
• Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani and PUK leader Bafel Talabani met in Baghdad.

MORE ON THE TOPIC:

• Military Situation In Iraq On July 22, 2023 (Map Update)
• Military Situation In Iraq On July 20, 2023 (Map Update)

The post Military Situation In Iraq On July 25, 2023 (Map Update) appeared first on South Front.

By Ilya Tsukanov Sputnik 25.07.2023

The Pentagon announced last week that it would deploy additional warships and a Marine expeditionary group to the Persian Gulf to deter Iran following a spate of tanker seizure incidents. Tehran has warned that the presence of non-Persian Gulf adjacent states militaries in the strategic body of water would not facilitate regional security.

Commanders from Irans Army and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps have commented on the USs decision to beef up its presence in the Persian Gulf, and warned that the Islamic Republic will take measures necessary to protect itself.

Considering the control and capabilities of its Armed Forces in regard to navigation and aviation security in the Persian Gulf region, Iran reserves the right to make the necessary deterrent arrangements in compliance with the rules and regulations of international law, and will exercise its inalienable rights accordingly, Army Commander-in-Chief Abdolrahim Mousavi said Monday, speaking on the sidelines of a major aerial drill, commenting on the Pentagons plans to deploy warships to the Gulf.

The Americans have come and gone from the region for many years with their bogus illusions, but the security of the region will become sustainable only with cooperation among regional countries, Mousavi stressed.

Separately, at a ceremony on Tuesday related to the delivery of a new advanced naval cruise missile to the IRGC Navy, Commander Alireza Tangsiri said that enemy vessels will be forced to stay thousands of kilometers away to avoid finding themselves in the missiles crosshairs.

We can fire the Abu Mahdi missile from deep inside the country. The missile has a dual seeker and performs successfully against the enemys electronic warfare, Tangsiri said.

Iran characterizes the Abu Mahdi as among the best missiles of its class in the world in terms of targeting, high destructive power, and passage through geographical obstacles and enemy defense systems, and says the missile, which has a range of over 1,000 km, will dramatically increase the countrys maritime reach.

Since the missile has a very low flight ceiling and a very long range, it can hardly be tracked, Commander Tangsiri said.

The new missile is named after Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the late Iraqi militia commander who was slain in a US assassination strike in Baghdad in January 2020 alongside IRGC Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani, who was on a secret peace mission in the country aimed at normalizing relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia.

Gulf Tensions

Tensi...