IranWatch Daily: September 15, 2025

Brief Notes

U.S. State Department Statement on Mahsa Amini: On the occasion of the three-year anniversary of Mahsa Amini’s murder by the Islamic Republic, the U.S. State Department today published a press release: “…Mahsa’s name will never be forgotten. Her murder, along with so many others, is a damning indictment of the Islamic Republic’s crimes against humanity. The United States will continue to work with allies and partners around the world to ensure that the regime’s atrocities are met with accountability, justice, and resolve.” Tehran Slams G7 Rapid Response Statement: The Islamic Republic’s Foreign Ministry dismissed the G7’s September 12 Rapid Response Statement on Iranian Transnational Repression and Other Malign Activities as “baseless, irresponsible and mere deflection,” accusing its authors of fueling instability and enabling Israel’s actions in Palestine. The Foreign Ministry said, “At a time when the Zionist regime, with the all-round backing of the United States, the UK, Germany, France, and other sponsors of this anti-Iranian statement, is engaged in massacre and genocide in occupied Palestine and in continuous warmongering against countries of the region, the issuance of anti-Iranian statements has no aim other than diverting public opinion from the crime of the century and the complicity of the authors of this statement in genocide.” Rubio Vows Maximum Pressure on Tehran: In a joint press conference in Jerusalem with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu today, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio pledged to sustain maximum pressure measures on the Islamic Republic following the 12-Day War. Rubio warned that the Islamic Republic has already acquired missiles that can target Europe and added, “a nuclear Iran governed by a radical Shiite cleric” poses an “unacceptable risk” to the world and vowed that U.S. economic pressure would continue “until they change course.” Lebanese FM Meets With Araghchi to Discuss Hezbollah: Lebanon’s Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji, a critic of the Islamic Republic from the anti-Hezbollah Lebanese Forces political party, met Islamic Republic Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on the sidelines of the Arab League–Organization of Islamic Cooperation joint meeting in Doha. Rajji said they held “an in-depth discussion on the situation in Lebanon and the wider region,” stressing Beirut’s decision to restore the state’s control of arms and sovereignty. He added that Araghchi “reaffirmed his country’s commitment to respecting Lebanon’s sovereignty and refraining from any interference.” The meeting marked a shift from Rajji’s earlier refusals to engage with officials from the Islamic Republic. 700+ UAVs Seized in Southern Iran: Police in Iran’s Hormozgan Province intercepted a vessel at a Persian Gulf port, allegedly uncovering 719 small drones. One suspect was arrested on charges of smuggling, with further investigations ongoing. Authorities have tightened scrutiny of drone trafficking since the 12-Day War, when UAVs were used against the Islamic Republic's air defense and infrastructure. Israel Lists IRGC Crypto Wallet Addresses: Israel’s National Bureau for Counter-Terror Financing published a list of 187 cryptocurrency wallet addresses tied to IRGC, saying they had received $1.5 billion via Tether. Tether froze 39 of the wallets on September 13, effectively blocking $1.5 million. Last week, the U.S. Justice Department also seized $584,000 in Tether Stablecoin (USDT) from an Iranian citizen linked to the IRGC drone program. The IRGC has repeatedly been accused of using crypto to fund its destabilizing activities.

Tehran Defends Nuclear Stance at IAEA Conference

The Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) confirmed it had reviewed and approved a new cooperation framework signed by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi on September 9 in Egypt. The framework was deemed necessary after the Majles (Parliament) suspended broad IAEA access in June, requiring SNSC approval for inspections. Tehran says that under the deal, the Islamic Republic will first secure and assess bombed nuclear sites before reporting findings to the IAEA under SNSC oversight. The agreement could be suspended if “hostile actions” occur, including the reinstatement of UN sanctions. Yesterday, the head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), Mohammad Eslami, in Vienna for the IAEA’s 69th General Conference, called for international legislation prohibiting military attacks on nuclear sites, citing U.S. and Israeli strikes on Islamic Republic nuclear facilities during the 12-Day War. Eslami accused the IAEA of “double standards.” The General Conference runs from September 15 to 19. Today, in Vienna, Eslami vowed the Islamic Republic would not bow to pressure. He condemned U.S. and Israeli strikes on nuclear sites as “unprecedented” and a violation of international law, criticizing both the UNSC and the IAEA for failing to respond. Eslami accused Rafael Grossi of bias, rejected claims of safeguard violations, and said suspending inspections are a direct response to the attacks, not an NPT withdrawal. He further denounced the E3 for triggering the JCPOA snapback mechanism and urged support for the Islamic Republic’s draft resolution condemning attacks on nuclear facilities, warning the U.S. had threatened to cut IAEA funding if it passed.

Tehran Calls for ‘Unity’ Against Israel at Doha Summit

President Masoud Pezeshkian attended today’s Arab League–Organization of Islamic Cooperation summit in Doha, convened after Israel’s strike on Hamas officials in Qatar last week. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, already in Doha, met with counterparts from Qatar, Egypt, Iraq, Lebanon, Somalia, and Pakistan, posting on X that “Iran stands with Qatar and all Muslim brothers and sisters, particularly against the scourge that is terrorizing the region.” Ahead of the summit, Pezeshkian called for Muslim nations to unite against Israel, which he accused of attacking “many Islamic countries” with U.S. and European backing. He urged Islamic states to pursue Israel’s “crimes” in international forums and to take practical steps to sever ties with the “Zionist regime.” Pezeshkian also said: "We hope that in the meeting that is to be held with the participation of the leaders of Islamic countries, we increase the unity and cohesion of Islamic countries in the face of Israel's actions." Meanwhile, the Islamic Republic and Egypt are leading fresh calls for a regional defense pact as Organization of Islamic Cooperation leaders convene in Qatar, following Israel’s strike on a Hamas compound in Doha. The proposal, backed by an IRGC commander, Mohsen Rezaei, and Egypt’s push for a Cairo-based command, marks the most serious effort in decades toward a NATO-style bloc.

On the Radar

• Jailed Iranian dissident Fatemeh Sepehri is in dire need of medical care, with her family reporting that she suffers from chronic pain in her arms and undiagnosed growths in her chest. Sepehri, imprisoned for criticizing the regime, faces multiple sentences totaling over 18 years on charges such as “collaboration with hostile states” and “insulting the supreme leader,” for giving interviews to diaspora TV channels and openly criticizing the Supreme Leader.
• The Judiciary has launched an investigation into a children’s event at an amusement park in Shiraz, where teenagers were seen dancing on stage, calling the event “contrary to public morals.” Prosecutors summoned organizers and warned the amusement park operator, while clerics condemned the event. The case has drawn attention online.
• Today, Trade Minister Seyyed Mohammad Atabak arrived in Kabul with a high-level delegation to discuss boosting economic ties with the Taliban. The visit aims to address “challenges and obstacles” in bilateral trade, expand cooperation in transit and joint investments, and includes meetings with Taliban Deputy Prime Minister Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar and several ministries. The delegation will also travel to Herat to inspect railways, mining sites, and the Islam Qala border crossing.