IranWatch Daily: November 24, 2025

Brief Notes

Intel Minister Warns of ‘Enemy Plots’ Against Supreme Leader’s Life: Intelligence Minister Esmail Khatib said the Islamic Republic’s “enemies” are seeking to target Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, citing “assassination plots to hostile campaigns” allegedly aligned with U.S. and Israeli interests. Khatib praised Khamenei as a “wise, farsighted” leader who serves as the “pillar and axis” of the Islamic Republic, noting that domestic critics of the regime may be acting, knowingly or unknowingly, in the service of foreign enemies. MP Says Moscow ‘Prepared’ to Provide Nuclear Weapons to Tehran: Islamic Republic MP Kamran Ghazanfari claimed that a deputy of Russian President Vladimir Putin “indirectly” indicated Moscow’s willingness to supply Tehran with nuclear weapons. He added that China would also support Tehran if it withdrew from the NPT, while North Korea reportedly signaled it could respond with its own nuclear capabilities if Israel attacked Iran. Russia to Expand Defense Alliance With Islamic Republic: Tehran’s ambassador to Moscow, Kazem Jalali, said in an interview with the English-language state-run PressTV today, that Russia has suggested expanding the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) and has even discussed a new military pact with Tehran to counter NATO, although talks remain in the early stages. He defended Moscow’s support during the 12-Day War, dismissing claims of non-cooperation, and stressed that existing defense agreements are progressing as planned. Tehran’s Role in the Sudanese Civil War: Sky News Arabia reported that Tehran is involved in the Sudanese civil war, allegedly providing military support to the Government of Sudan, including deliveries of weapons to Port Sudan Airport. The report suggests Tehran aims to secure a foothold near the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait, potentially giving it “an opportunity to penetrate Africa through the Sudanese gate.” Pro-Tehran Al-Mayadeen Launches TV Channel in Iraq: The pro-Islamic Republic Al-Mayadeen network, based in Beirut, has launched Al-Mayadeen Plus in Iraq, initially focusing on parliamentary elections, politics, and culture, with plans to expand coverage later. The channel’s programming includes news bulletins, political talk shows, and interviews, and it has explicitly supported pro-Tehran parliamentary blocs while encouraging voter participation. Air Pollution Forces Schools to Close: Severe air pollution has forced primary schools in Tehran and multiple provinces to shut down for days, with classes moving online as smog levels spike. The surge in pollution coincides with renewed mazut burning at power plants amid nationwide gas shortages, worsening already hazardous winter air quality. Even northern provinces, once known for clean air, are now issuing health warnings.

Saber-Rattling in Tehran and Beirut Following Israeli Strike

Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani, in a post on X today, called for a direct confrontation with Israel following an Israeli strike near Beirut that killed Hezbollah commander Haitham Ali Tabtabai and four others. Larijani described the attack as evidence of Israeli “adventurism,” leaving no option but confrontation. In a statement, the IRGC also condemned the strike, warning that the “Resistance” will deliver a “crushing response,” with the group casting the strike as a sign of Israeli “desperation.” The IRGC said the attack was aimed at masking Israel’s “internal crises,” insisting the broader regime-aligned network remains intact and committed to its long-term goal of confronting Israel. The Islamic Republic Foreign Ministry denounced the strike, calling it a “cowardly” assassination and a violation of the November 2024 ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah. Tehran praised Tabtabai as a key “Resistance” commander and blamed the U.S. for enabling Israeli “aggression.”

Tehran Denounces IAEA Resolution

The Islamic Republic Foreign Ministry condemned the latest IAEA Board of Governors resolution as “clear interference” in the Agency’s work, calling it a “shameful stain” that ignored Israeli and U.S. strikes on nuclear facilities in June. The resolution calls on Tehran to comply with the NPT and UN Security Council resolutions, as well as to grant inspectors access to nuclear sites. Last week, Tehran formally withdrew from the Cairo agreement, signed in September. The regime has vowed further “retaliatory measures” in response to the passing of the resolution. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei stressed that Tehran needs no mediators and will cooperate with the IAEA in accordance with the laws of the Islamic Republic. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is now scheduled to travel to France, where he will meet his French counterpart Jean-Noel Barrot on November 26 to discuss Tehran’s nuclear program and the status of two French citizens still held at the French embassy in Tehran following their release from prison.

On the Radar

• Foreign Minister Araghchi, visiting Oman, criticized Israel’s “acts of aggression” and the ongoing sanctions on Yemen, meeting with UN Special Envoy Hans Grundberg and representatives from the Center for Humanitarian Dialogue to discuss peace efforts.
• Intelligence Minister Esmail Khatib says Israel is facing “an epidemic of Iranian infiltration,” citing Israeli media reports of an air force officer allegedly arrested for spying on Tehran’s behalf. Khatib claimed that classified Israeli nuclear documents had been obtained by the regime, calling it proof of Tehran’s growing intelligence capability. Khatib also argued that Washington has shifted from seeking regime change to “containment,” which he framed as a strategic victory for Tehran.
• State media reported that a third IRGC member has died from injuries sustained in a weapons-training incident near Tehran, following last week’s announcement of the deaths of two other individuals in the same incident. The Quds Force confirmed the fatalities, saying the men had been instructing younger recruits.
• The IRGC announced the arrest of several members of an alleged Sunni “terrorist team” in Iran’s southeastern Sistan and Baluchestan Province, also confiscating two suicide vests in the operation. The IRGC said the operation targeted the group as part of an ongoing campaign, known as “Operation Security Martyrs,” to combat insurgent activity in the border region.
• The Tajik head of the Communications Service and the Islamic Republic Minister of Communications and Information Technology discussed “cooperation in international roaming, the possible import of internet traffic, the exchange of experience in cybersecurity and the training of specialists for the information and communications technology sector,” during the World Telecommunication Development Conference, currently taking place in Azerbaijan.
• The Law Enforcement Command announced the dismantling of a large human-trafficking network, reportedly freeing 400 foreign nationals before deporting them. Authorities reported seizing dozens of vehicles, fake documents, and funds tied to the operation, adding that arrests are ongoing as they pursue remaining members. The traffickers allegedly targeted undocumented migrants seeking work, mostly Afghans, extorting them with promises of transport inside Iran or to neighboring countries.
• Keyumars Heydari has now been named deputy chief of the Khatam ol-Anbiya Central Headquarters, the country’s top joint military command, replacing Hossein Hassani Sadi. Until November 22, Heydari was commander of the Artesh (Army) Ground Forces. The Khatam ol-Anbiya HQ oversees coordination between the Artesh and the IRGC.
• Foreign Minister Araghchi met Musa al-Koni of Libya’s Presidency Council in Muscat, saying Tehran hopes to expand relations as Libya moves toward greater security and political stability. Both sides discussed the war in Gaza and framed cooperation as part of a broader effort among Muslim states to confront Israel. Araghchi’s meeting came during a multiday visit to Oman, where he also held talks with Omani officials and the UN’s envoy for Yemen.