Iran's Fostering of Terrorism Against Israel

The Lions' Den Group

On June 25th, Cypriot authorities foiled an attempted attack on an Israeli businessman. Counter-terror intelligence suggests that the attack was actually orchestrated by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), a branch of the country's armed forces. This is the most recent instance of the Iranian government's repeated attacks against Israel, either in an official capacity or by supporting terror operatives.

 

Earlier this year, Greek counter-terror authorities apprehended two Pakistani nationals who were aided by the Iranian Government. The two men planned on committing an attack against an Israeli-owned restaurant. The IRGC has also been linked to several other terror plots in the past, with the most recent occurring just last year in Turkey. Intelligence from Shin Bet, the Israeli security agency, suggests that the Palestinian militant organisation Lions' Den is being aided and supported by the Iranian Government. The Lions' Den is often well-equipped with automatic weapons and tactical gear, which seems to have been supplied by the Iranian Government. The agency's director Ronen Bar also suggested that Islamic State has also aided terror attacks against Israel. 

With the instances of Iran fostering terrorism against Israel becoming more common, one wonders whether it will affect the country's relationship with other nations. On multiple occasions, Iran has aided terrorism within multiple other countries. The involvement of the IRGC indicates that these operations are far from secret, but rather openly carried out by the country's armed forces. 

China, Pakistan & Iran hold Trilateral Meeting to Deal with Terrorism

China, Pakistan and Iran: The Trilateral Alliance to Fight Terrorism in the Middle East

Iranian Border Guards Along the Iran-Pakistan Border

In recent years, China's investments in the Middle East have become a primary target for terrorism. Just weeks ago, Pakistani police forcefully closed businesses out of fear that they could be potential targets for terror attacks. For Pakistan and Iran, the Islamic State and the Taliban pose the greatest threats to stability within their respective countries, as these groups continue to wreak havoc in the Middle East.

On June 7th, a meeting was scheduled in Beijing, where China aimed to find a resolution to the terror attacks. As mentioned earlier, Chinese investments and assets are frequently targeted by terrorist organisations in these countries. The trilateral meeting between the countries marks the beginning of a new anti-terror alliance. One of the key agenda items is the security crisis in the Pakistani region of Baluchistan, which is crucial for China's multi-billion-dollar economic corridor. Baluchistan is also rich in natural resources, making it an area of interest for economic development. However, the region is plagued by extreme poverty, crime, and insurgency. Combating terrorism in the area is challenging, as many terrorist operatives cross the border into Iran to evade persecution.

The Iranian province that shares a border with Baluchistan, Sistan-Baluchistan, also grapples with insurgency problems. Iranian Shiite government forces are currently engaged in fighting against several Sunni militant groups, which have carried out a number of attacks across the country. Iran asserts that Pakistan is not doing enough to curtail Sunni militancy.

Despite accusations of insufficient action from both sides, Iran and Pakistan maintain close diplomatic relations. In the past month, the leaders of both countries met at their shared border to inaugurate a new market and powerline. With China holding significant economic investments in both countries, this new alliance appears to be mutually beneficial. China's investments can now receive protection from terrorism, while Iran and Pakistan can address the growing threat of terrorism within their borders. The Taliban-controlled Afghanistan poses a major obstacle for the alliance, as it is believed to harbour and assist Al-Qaeda-aligned groups. Reports suggest that multiple key members of these groups hold influential positions within the Afghan government.