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Iran's security shakeup is more rebrand than reboot

Brief Notes

Renewed Shutdowns Amid Water, Energy Crisis: Public offices in 28 of Iran’s 31 provinces have been shut down by the Islamic Republic today amid deepening shortages of water and electricity amplified by soaring temperatures and regime mismanagement. In the three remaining provinces, Ilam, Lorestan, and Markazi, public offices are providing services under “reduced working hours.” Essential service providers (hospitals, select bank branches, etc.) remain operational. Protests were held in north Iran over the power and water cuts. Fire in Mountains Near Shiraz: A video published by London-based diaspora outlet Iran International today shows a large plume of smoke rising from Derak Mountain, near Shiraz. The video appears to have been recorded from the coordinates 29.762121, 52.427209, to the north of Derak Mountain. Last night, an unverified video circulated online showing what appears to be a fire in a mountainous area near Shiraz. It is not clear if the incidents were related or what their causes may have been. Reports of fires have increased in Iran following the end of the 12-Day War, leading the Iranian public to speculate that they are an indicator of continued Israeli covert operations against the Islamic Republic. IRGC Vows Response ‘Beyond Imagination’ to Future Threats: In a statement issued by the IRGC today, the group promised a “severe reaction, beyond the imagination of the enemies” in response to “any threat and aggression from the United States and the Zionist regime.” The statement was issued in order to mark Arbaeen, a key Shia holiday and pilgrimage. The IRGC also said that the response would be “much harsher than what occurred during True Promise 3.” Operation True Promise 3 is the IRGC codename for its missile strikes against Israel carried out over the course of the 12-Day War in June.

Nuclear Scientist Executed for ‘Spying for Israel’

The Islamic Republic today executed two men convicted of national security offenses. One was a nuclear scientist, Roozbeh Vadi, accused of spying for Mossad, and the other was charged with being a member of the Islamic State (IS) terror group. The judiciary’s official news outlet, Mizan, described Vadi as “an operative of the Mossad spy-terror network” who was employed at a “sensitive institution.” According to Mizan, Vadi passed classified information to Mossad in exchange for cryptocurrency payments. Mizan did not provide further details on Vadi, but human rights groups have described him as a nuclear scientist working for the Nuclear Science and Technology Research Institute, an organization affiliated with the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI). Vadi reportedly co-authored a 2011 paper with two senior nuclear experts later killed during the 12-day conflict. Since the outbreak of the 12-Day War, the Islamic Republic has executed at least six individuals on charges of collaborating with Israel and has arrested hundreds of individuals on security-related charges, including alleged links to Israel and foreign-based opposition groups. Another man, Babak Shahbazi, is on the death row over allegations of “spying for Israel”. He was sentenced to death in May. The Supreme Court this week upheld the sentence.

On the Radar

Last week, IRGC-linked Fars News falsely reported that 30 Israeli fighter jet pilots were killed during the 12-Day War. Following public backlash, the outlet has added a “This article is fake” disclaimer to the top of the piece but has kept it online.

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